From the author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a heart-wrenching story about what it means to see someone—and love someone—for who they truly are.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.
"Niven is adept at creating characters. . . . [Libby's] courage and body-positivity make for a joyful reading experience." --The New York Times
“Holding Up the Universe . . . taps into the universal need to be understood. To be wanted. And that’s what makes it such a remarkable read.” —TeenVogue.com, “Why New Book Holding Up the Universe Is the Next The Fault in Our Stars”
"Want a love story that will give you all the feels? . . . You'll seriously melt!"—Seventeen Magazine
You’re item was added to pickup at [location]
You’re [amount] away from FREE shipping!
You qualify for FREE shipping!
Translation missing: en.settings.free_shipping_default_message
Holding Up The Universe is a heart-wrenching story about self-acceptance and love, featuring relatable characters and a strong emphasis on body positivity. Customers praise the book for its feel-good narrative, captivating characters, and the author's ability to create multi-dimensional personalities.
"this was a very cute and amazing story but it doesnt beat All The Bright Places" — Fiona
"Once again, Jennifer Niven creates the most beautiful, multi-dimensional characters." — Melissa
"Libby is such a strong character." — Samantha
Reviews
Left me crying!
"The text in this book is sweet! the story has such a impact and the words really reasonate with me after reading."
— Maddy (3/5)
crying rn.
"such a sad book, this book changed the way i view the world in so many ways"
— Ntk07 (4/5)
Clear to understand
"Excellent book"
— Kathy (4/5)
14 year old win
"My 14 year old daughter requested this book; she doesn't read a great deal of narrative books, so was pleased she's found an author she enjoys"
— Mom O. (4/5)
meh
"it was different but it just did stick with me for long"
— Stevie (2/5)
Amazing, sweet and lovely
"Amazing book and storyline. Jenifer Niven is an amazing author"
— Bianca (5/5)
Would do anything to read this for the first time again!
"It is so adorable and sweet, and for sure grabbed my attention! I'm a young reader and I couldn't even bring myself to put it down at all. The different problems really did make this book more human, and I was so thrilled yet sad when my read came to an end. Would definitly recommend it!"
— TheYoungReader (5/5)
Wow. Just wow
"This book is so incredible! Seeing a character who is anything but the typical cookie-cutter character of most stories is amazing! It’s impossible not to love Libby for her genuine heart and utter bravery! Not to mention the intrigue of watching jacks journey with his disorder as well as his own growth as a person to become who he was always to afraid to be! This story executed the horrors of being bullied for being even the slightest bit different perfectly. Ahhh this story is just too good, it will warm your heart and break it all in one"
— Heath28 (5/5)
Loved it !
"This book was great! I couldn't put it down! This is a great feel-good teenage love story, but it also has a deeper level because of the subjects Niven brought to it. The characters are amazing and we get attached to them. I absolutely recommend it !"
— Alexe (5/5)
Absolutely recommend
"Anything Jennifer Niven is a must read. At first I remember thinking, there’s no way I will relate to these characters and no way I can get through this. But I fell in love with those characters!! I have never read a book with characters such as these two and it definitely was a book I could not put down. I read it on one flight, I couldn’t stop."
— Han1 (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: May 01, 2018
Language: English
No. of Pages: 416
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
ISBN: 9780385755955
Dimensions:
5.5" W x
0.91" L x
8.25" H
★ "[Niven] creates two indelible characters and a heart-stopping romance." —Publishers Weekly starred review
★ "Written in short chapters of alternating perspectives, this is a thoughtful exploration of identity and self-acceptance, with commentary on overcoming adversities that will hit close to home." —School Library Journal starred review ★ "This is a worthy addition to any young adult collection; the story is engaging and difficult to put down." —VOYA starred review
"Niven’s honest writing shares a story of friendship, confidence, strength, and identity—and it’s not one to be missed." —Buzzfeed
"Libby and Jack are two characters who will reach out of the page and climb into your heart! . . . [A] beautiful love story." —Justine Magazine
"A novel about love and how important it is to be seen." —Popsugar
"Moving. . . . The true heart of the tale lies in personal growth and learning to love yourself." —Bookish
“I've never fallen in love with characters as fast as I fell for Libby and Jack. . . . Holding Up the Universe is a beautiful reminder of the power of understanding.” —Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why “Gorgeously written and oh-so-deeply felt,Holding Up the Universe contains one of my favorite characters of all time! You will absolutely fall in love with Libby Strout!” —Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything “At once hilarious and achingly poignant, Jennifer Niven’s Holding up the Universebrims with love and heart and hope. A gorgeous, life-affirming book that—like its lovable and resilient main character, Libby—will make you want to open your arms wide, lift your face to the sky, and twirl.” —Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned
Praise for All the Bright Places:
“[A] heartbreaking love story about two funny, fragile, and wildly damaged high school kids.” —Entertainment Weekly
“A do-not-miss for fans of Eleanor & Park and The Fault in Our Stars, and basically anyone who can breathe.” —Justine Magazine
“At the heart—a big one—of All the Bright Places lies a charming love story about this unlikely and endearing pair of broken teenagers.” —The New York Times Book Review
JENNIFER NIVEN is the #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author of All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe and Breathless. Her books have been translated in over 75 languages and have won literary awards around the world. An Emmy-award winning screenwriter, she co-wrote the script for the All the Bright Places movie— currently streaming on Netflix and starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. She is also the author of several narrative nonfiction titles and the Velva Jean historical fiction series. Jennifer divides her time between coastal Georgia and Los Angeles with her husband and literary cats.
You May Also Like
Previous
Next
Recently Viewed
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
Opens in a new window.
eBooks from Indigo are available at Kobo.com
Simply sign in or create your free Kobo account to get started. Read eBooks on any Kobo eReader or with the free Kobo App.
Why Kobo?
With over 6 million of the world's best eBooks to choose from, Kobo offers you a whole world of reading. Go shelf-less with your library and enjoy reward points with every purchase.