I'll Give You the Sun in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Jan 13, 2015 Donna rated it really liked it

Shelves: teen, contemporary, lgbtqia

The story of twins Jude and Noah is told through their alternating POVs. Noah's tale, "The Invisible Museum," begins when they are 13 and planning to apply to a selective fine arts high school. Both are talented, but Noah's drawings stand out in their mother's eyes. He also needs it more: he's sensitive, socially awkward, just figuring out that he likes boys and is terrified of public high school. Jude is pretty, popular, fearless and just wants to be normal. Her story, "The History of Luck," pi ...more

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Feb 01, 2015 Dana Berglund rated it it was amazing

Shelves: youngadult, printz-winners-and-honors

Now that this book has won the Printz (!!!!), everyone will know how worthy this unusual book is. There are so many well written reviews out there! Chapters alternate between the viewpoints of Noah and Jude, twins who are spookily close at age 13 and near strangers at age 16. Their chapters bring us from a to b with a lot of zigs in between.
I luuuuuuved it. This book broke my heart, put it together, then broke it again. I found Noah's poetic hallucinatory imagery pulled me with him and made me w ...more

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Dec 30, 2014 Amy (folkpants) rated it it was amazing

Loved this book! The bond between the twins. The hyperbole. The passion of an artist. Everything was so fantastic. I really liked the way the story was told from the two different points of view and years apart. It was a very interesting perspective for both characters and reader. Even with the heartbreak of the plot, there was plenty of magic, too. Delightful.

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Mar 18, 2015 Martha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-goodness

Yes, the coincidences are perfect, the love quick, and the resolutions neat. But it's magnificently written and, from the start, is presented as a fantasy: in the world Nelson created, anything is possible, and everything works. I've clearly gotten soft in my old age, but I'll Give you the Sun is bloody glorious. ...more

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Apr 14, 2015 Maegan rated it really liked it

4.5 stars. Beautifully written, it's very clear that Nelson is a poet. One plot point really irritated me- how could one girl have such horrific luck?! It wasn't enough to take away from my overall enjoyment of the book, however. ...more

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Sep 27, 2014 Laurie rated it liked it

Shelves: 2014

I was torn on this book. I liked the relationships and the arc of the story, but thought sometimes it suffered from too much flowery language. And I think I might be reaching my limit for lovable eccentrics in YA lit. Does everyone need to wear feathered hats and do some amazing, unique art while also being surfing prodigies? Where are the regular people? This book is still worth a read, the family relationships are very well done.

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