Holding Up the Universe

By: Jennifer Niven

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, Robbie Daymond

From the author of the New York Times best-seller 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 reengineer and rebuild anything in new and badass 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.

©2016 Jennifer Niven (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"[Niven] creates two indelible characters and a heart-stopping romance." (Publishers Weekly)

"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)

Loved it

Great story and has a wonderful meaning
Couldn’t stop listening
The ending wasn’t a huge build up as expected but still a awesome one

Decent Story

It wasn't horrible, certainly, but I guess I was just expecting more. I knew the ending before the halfway point and the closer it got to the ending the more I felt the author just rushed to finish. The relationship between the main characters felt inauthentic at times, and it took some time to warm up to Jorjeana Marie's (voice of Libby) speech style and cadence. All in all it's a decent read if you're used to Jennifer's writing style and want a simple teen "love story". Definitely won't make my reread list, though.

Beautifully written and moving

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that splendidly blended coming of age, new love in the issue of bullying. I only wish it could've lasted longer :-) enjoy!

Great Book!

The characters were very interesting. I haven't read a lot of books like this but then again I haven't read many books, I just started reading again.
Libby: I loved her character. She reminds me of myself but I don't have to deal with a lot judgement beside the color of my skin.
Jack: in the beginning of the book I pitied him. In the middle of the book I hated his guts. I hate when characters brake up with their girlfriend or boyfriend because they are to weak to love them. At the end I knew that he would change.
This book is a terrible book for people who aren't hopeless romantics. I am so I really enjoyed it. I hope you do to😁

Amazing

One of my favorite books in the world. I’ve read the the hard copy I found at a second hand book store at least 37 times.

i love it!!!!!!!

i love it, the whole experience and everything. amazing story! its funny, sad, exciting and beyond!

Enjoyable but nothing to write home about

3.5 stars. Enjoyable overall, but I was mostly interested in Jack’s own story, and somewhat in Libby’s. The romance part felt rushed and not wholly believable—not because of the characters, but because it didn’t seem like the plot developed fully enough to make it feel natural, instead of something forced for the sake of getting the characters together. I think “All the Bright Places” was much better, but this was still enjoyable. The narrators were very good, especially Robbie Daymond, who I felt captured Jack’s personality perfectly.

Beautiful story

A beautiful story with a cast full of amazing characters. Even the supporting roles are three dimensional. I wish I could recommend this book to my school-aged kids because it has so much to teach them and is such a good good story, but unfortunately the language is pervasively R-rated.

Positively,Absolutely a Great Novel

I listened as a reader, educator, student, mother, and author. I loved the dialogue, the differing perspectives and well written point of view of each youth. Congratulations Jennifer Niven

You are wanted

We should all write that on ourselves. This is a story of a teenage girl who already knows who she is, a rarity in teens, and how others see her. It's also about a boy who can't see faces and how he realizes that he can see the girl. Powerful and smart story. Thankful that the fat girl doesn't need to lose weight to be better, those stories suck. Fabulous readers.