The Sky Is Everywhere Summary & Key Insights

Jandy Nelson's "The Sky Is Everywhere" follows seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker as she navigates the overwhelming grief of her older sister, Bailey's, sudden death. Bailey, a talented musician, was Lennie's best friend and the center of their family's universe. Lennie, a budding photographer, struggles to reconcile her love for her sister's memory with her burgeoning feelings for Joe, Bailey's former boyfriend, and Toby, a charming new boy who shares her artistic sensibilities.

The novel unfolds in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Lennie's relationship with Joe is complicated by guilt and the lingering presence of Bailey. Joe, initially withdrawn and heartbroken, finds solace in Lennie's company, a comfort that transcends their shared grief but also fuels Lennie's internal conflict. She's drawn to his sorrow and the unspoken connection they share, but fears betraying Bailey's memory. Simultaneously, Toby's carefree spirit and genuine affection offer a different path, a chance at a future unbound by Bailey's shadow. He encourages Lennie's artistic passions and helps her embrace life outside the confines of her grief.

The setting itself, a vibrant and lush California landscape, juxtaposes the beauty of nature with Lennie's internal turmoil. The imagery of the sky, ever-changing and vast, symbolizes Lennie's own shifting emotional states, mirroring the unpredictable nature of grief and the uncertainty of her future.

Central to the narrative is the exploration of family dynamics. Lennie's parents, grappling with their own grief, react differently to Bailey's death, straining their relationship and leaving Lennie to navigate the emotional fallout alone. Her relationship with her sister, deeply intertwined and profoundly affected by Bailey's absence, forms the emotional core of the story.

The overarching themes revolve around grief, love, art, and the complexities of self-discovery. Lennie's journey is not solely about mourning; it's about finding her own identity separate from her sister's, learning to embrace both joy and sorrow, and ultimately understanding that love can exist in multiple forms, even amidst loss. Through photography, Lennie finds a powerful means of self-expression and processing her grief, capturing both the beauty and rawness of her emotions. The novel ultimately suggests that although grief is a profound and enduring experience, it doesn't have to define one's future. Healing, finding love, and embracing art all become critical avenues for Lennie to navigate her way toward a hopeful future.