Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven

Marissa | Holmdel High School, Grade 10

Rating: ****

The book I am reviewing is Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven. The story follows two high schoolers from very different backgrounds as they find their way to one another. There’s Libby, the girl who struggles with her mother’s passing and her weight, and Jack, the seemingly cool and collected kid who secretly suffers from face blindness. A high school prank surprisingly brings them together, and they find comfort in one another’s company. Over time, they learn to support each other through their struggles and confide in one another with their burdens.

I really enjoyed this book, and I found both Libby and Jack to be very relatable teenage character. This story is an encouraging reminder that you never know what someone is really going through, and that appearances never reveal what’s really going on beneath the surface. Libby and Jack’s relationship showed me the importance of friendship and reaching out to the ones you love, especially during times of difficulty.