Holding up the Universe
by Jennifer Niven
Book Overview
Libby Strout, once branded “America’s Fattest Teen,” strides back into high school determined to be known beyond a number. Her world collides with Jack Masselin, the golden boy who can’t recognize faces and hides it at all costs. A vicious prank detonates, binding them into a joint punishment that sparks an unexpected alliance. As rumors bite and insecurities flare, they push each other to strip away labels, read the person beneath the surface, and risk real connection. What hangs in the balance is their dignity, their identities, and the rare relief of being truly seen.
Dive into a lively, full-spectrum guide that maps every chapter, profiles major and minor characters, unpacks themes of identity, perception, and empathy, and curates the novel’s most resonant quotes to sharpen insight and enrich your read.