Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Everything, but nothing

Madeline Whittier has never stepped a foot outside of her air locked home; she has never met anyone besides her mother and her nurse, Carla. This is because Maddy has a very rare disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, or SCID for short. In the novel "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon, Madeline Whittier is not the average eighteen year old teenage girl.  SCID causes Maddy to have reactions to everything in the world.  These reactions are set off by unknown triggers, which could be things as simple as the air she is breathing to the sun on her skin.

Even though she is allergic to the world, this does not keep Maddy from enjoying life. She spends her days reading and attending school via Skype and her evenings with her mother playing board games such as Honor Pictionary and Scrabble.  Along with these normal daily activities, Madeline receives hourly health checks from her personal nurse, Carla. She continues with that routine until the day the new neighbors move in. 

Oliver Bright, better known as Olly, is the new boy next door.  Maddy and Olly's rooms are straight across from each other and this leads to them seeing each other. One night, Olly writes a message to Maddy on his window, which included his email address. Out of curiosity Maddy emails Olly and they connect instantly. They begin to message each other every night and soon build a close friendship. This leads to the two wanting to meet each other, risking Maddy's health. 

As time passes, Maddy gains permission from Carla, for a visitation from Olly.  Thus, they finally meet and later develop a "more than friends" relationship.  But what will happen to their relationship if Maddy can never leave her house? Will she let SCID control her life, or will she take a chance that could possible end it? Will Olly be intolerant Maddy's illness or will love conquer all? Find out in the heart-wrenching novel "Everything, Everything."

Written By: Haley Q.