What’s it about?
Everything, Everything
tells the story of Madeline “Maddy” Whittier, a teenager who has spent her life inside her house because of a rare illness, SCID, which makes her vulnerable to infections. Her world changes when Olly, the boy next door, moves in. Through emails, texts, and stolen moments, their friendship blossoms into love, pushing Maddy to question whether safety without freedom is truly living. The novel explores themes of love, risk, overprotection, and the courage to step into the unknown.
Book Review: Everything, Everything
by Nicola Yoon
Published: September 1, 2015
Review published: September 4, 2025
What I Learned / My Take
1. Living in fear may protect you, but it can also keep you from truly experiencing life.
2. Love and connection can inspire courage to break through barriers, even ones built to keep you safe.
3. Parents’ love can sometimes turn into control—Maddy’s mother wanted to protect her but ended up taking away her freedom.
4. Taking risks, like stepping outside or opening your heart, is often what makes life meaningful.
5. Independence and self-discovery are vital—everyone deserves the chance to live their own life, even if it comes with danger.
Scenes and Images that Stuck with Me:
- Maddy and Olly waving at each other through the window, a simple moment that begins everything.
- The trip to Hawaii: Maddy seeing the ocean, touching the sand, and breathing in freedom for the first time.
- Maddy collapsing in Hawaii, making the reader believe her illness was real and deadly.
- The twist revelation that she never actually had SCID—her mother’s fear had kept her imprisoned.
- The hopeful ending where Maddy chooses to live fully and reconnects with Olly.
Would I recommend it?
Yes—especially for anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories about love, freedom, and the courage to take risks. Everything, Everything is both heartbreaking and uplifting, leaving you thinking about what it truly means to live.