The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

I've been reading a lot about Jandy Nelson lately on Twitter.  I bought a few of her books the other day and this is the first one I picked up. 

I really, really enjoyed reading this book.  All weekend I was supposed to be doing work, and I couldn't do anything until I finished this book. 

The Sky is Everywhere is the story of Lennie who is dealing with the after affects of her sister's sudden death.  Lennie doesn't know how to be without her older sister.  She is also torn between two boys, one who helps her deal with her sister's death by reminding her of who her sister was, and the other who helps her deal by reminding her that there is still life to live. But deciding who she wants to be with is difficult.  It feels awful to forget her sister, to laugh, to live and experience new things.  But living in the past and wallowing in grief is also challenging. 

This story is part love-story, part dealing with grief and loss.  Lennie is an amazing character, whose choices and feelings she is dealing with are heart breaking.  Lennie and her family and still lingering in my mind, even a few days later. 

There are a few mature bits to the story, but nothing I wouldn't have in a grade 7 or 8 classroom.