logo

56 pages 1 hour read

Jennifer Niven

Holding Up The Universe

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2016

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Holding Up The Universe, two teenagers in Amos, Indiana, form an unlikely romance while dealing with their own personal challenges: Jack Masselin, who secretly suffers from prosopagnosia, and Libby Strout, labeled “America’s Fattest Teen” after a panic attack required her to be rescued from her home. They navigate high school, family dynamics, and their developing feelings while confronting their identities and societal judgments.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Holding Up The Universe by Jennifer Niven delivers an emotional narrative about self-acceptance and empathy, resonating with many young adult readers. The character development and engaging storyline are praised, though some critique the predictability of the plot. Overall, it is a compelling read that addresses important themes, despite a few clichéd elements.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Holding Up The Universe?

A reader who would enjoy Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven typically appreciates heartfelt, character-driven YA novels exploring themes of self-acceptance, mental health, and resilience. Fans of All the Bright Places by Niven and Wonder by R.J. Palacio would likely find this book engaging.

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Indiana • 2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

770L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.