I’ll Give You the Sun
Summary: Lyrically written story about artistically gifted twins whose bond is broken by tragedy, forcing them to remake their worlds even though each holds only half the pieces.
My thoughts: Overlong and often overwrought, it’s still a smart, thoughtful examination of family life, identity, and romance, woven with magical realism and filled with fully realized characters who fulfill the e.e. cummings quote that opens the book: “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” Sure to be a strong contender for the Printz Award.
Recommend I’ll Give You the Sun to fans of E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars, which shares a similar melancholy, mystery, and doomed romance in a privileged setting. Readers who appreciated the art-infused sibling strife of Carol Rifka Brunt’s Tell the Wolves I’m Home will also be drawn to Nelson’s Sun.
