Plot Summary
Madeline Whittier is a teenage girl who has the terrible disease SCID, or Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, or “bubble baby disease.” Essentially she has been cut off from the entirety of the outside world because if she goes outside she will die, if other people touch her—she will die, if she is exposed to any elements, she will die. Madeline is alone, but she is not lonely because—she is a girl after my own heart—a reader.
Madeline’s home is a state of the art fortress meant to keep the outside world outside. Madeline realizes that she has new neighbors when she hears a truck beeping outside. She “meets” the new family next door, Olly, Kara, and their parents through observations rather than direct interactions. Madeline is keenly interested in Olly and eventually they are able to communicate with one another via notes on windows—with Olly providing her his email address.
Madeline’s nurse Carla plays a large role in the facilitation of physical contact between Olly and Madeline. After Madeline begs for Olly to cover over to her home (he would have to be thoroughly decontaminated first), Carla breaks down and lets Olly come over. Madeline and Olly become close to one another. He touches her and Madeline was in love—spoiler alert—she did not die.
Olly’s father is an abusive man who takes his frustrations out on his family. In a pivotal moment, Madeline leaves the confines of her home when she sees Olly on the receiving end of his father’s wrath. Madeline’s mother, Dr. Patricia Whittier, does not take it lightly when Madeline attempts to console Olly—she shuts communication off between Olly and Madeline. Of course, Madeline bristles at this communication breakdown. Therefore, she decides to run away from her Los Angeles fortress, fully becoming herself by visiting Maui, Hawaii.
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| photo credit: Ellen taking the leap via photopin (license) |
Because of Madeline’s relationship with Olly, she is able to access the freedom of the outside world. She is able to question her very existence. Madeline’s brief bout of freedom leads her to uncover information that questions the very fiber of her being. Madeline achieves a tentative peace with her life after receiving this information.
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| photo credit: 2016 JAPAN 0622（EOSM2）-129 via photopin (license) |
What I Loved
Seriously, #weneeddiversebooks. Because of this book, I was able to read about a half African American half Japanese girl’s life—essentially Madeline is the girl in the bubble (rather than John Travolta’s Bubble Boy). Madeline obviously has a vastly different background from me, and my life is so much richer for reading about her background and circumstances.
This was a very quick (if very emotionally charged) book. This book dealt with a great betrayal in a very respectful manner. Madeline was a lot more gracious than I would have been given her circumstances. I would like to think that I would behave graciously had I found out the information Madeline did; however, I know myself, and I know that I would have behaved like a simpering, whining crybaby.
I loved Mr. Yoon’s illustrations—they added so very much to the text. I also loved that Madeline and Olly conducted a portion of their interactions via Instant Messaging. My inner 90s girl rejoices when alternative means of communication are used. I like the intimacy of this means of communication because given that it is not face to face and generally is comprised of just the two people (group chats exist—just not in this book)—both Olly and Madeline were able to let their guard down, flirt, and eventually fall in love.
I loved that Madeline was a reader. She is very much a girl after my own heart. She created fanciful inscriptions for her books, example—reward if found—picnics, me, etc. I also loved her Life is Short spoiler reviews—those who know me know that I am a massive Spoiler-a-Saurus Regina—I love spoilers. It is only the rare book or movie that keeps me from Wikipedia-ing plot spoilers.
I also loved the connections to other books. For example, I keenly remember reading Flowers for Algernon when I was in 8th grade at Hart County Middle School. I was saddened by the plot, of course. The connection to FfA gave me all the feels, though.
Meaningful Quotes
“I’ve read many more books than you. It doesn’t matter how many you’ve read. I’ve read more. Believe me. I’ve had the time” (Yoon, 2015 p. 1).
“My disease is as rare as it is famous. It’s a form of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, but you know it as “bubble baby disease.”
Basically, I’m allergic to the world. Anything can trigger a bout of sickness. It could be the chemicals in the cleaner used to wipe the table that I just touched. It could be someone’s perfume. It could be the exotic spice in the food I just ate. It could be one, or all, or none of these things, or something else entirely. No one knows the triggers, but everyone knows the consequences. According to my mom I almost died as an infant. And so I stay on SCID row. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years” (Yoon, 2015 p. 3).
“My birthday is the one day of the year that we’re both more acutely aware of my illness. It’s the acknowledging of the passage of time that does it. Another whole year of being sick, no hope for a cure on the horizon. Another year of missing all the normal teenagery things—learner’s permit, first kiss, prom, first heartbreak, first fender bender. Another year of my mom doing nothing but working and taking care of me. Every other day these omissions are easy—easier, at least, to ignore.
This year is a little harder than the previous. Maybe it’s because I’m eighteen now. Technically, I’m an adult. I should be leaving home, going off to college. My mom should be dreading empty-nest syndrome. But because of SCID, I’m not going anywhere” (Yoon, 2015 p. 10).
Carla, Madeline’s nurse speaking with her about their relationship: “’We’ve been together in this house for fifteen years, so I know what I’m talking about. When I first started with you I thought it was only a matter of time before depression would take you over. And there was that time one summer when it came close, but it didn’t happen. Every day you get up and learn something new. Every day you find something to be happy about. Every single day you have a smile for me. You worry more about your mother than you do about yourself” (Yoon, 2015 p. 33)
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During one of Olly and Madeline’s first IM exchanges, she wrote this about Pride and Prejudice (one of my absolute desert island keeper favorite books): “Olly: what’s so great about darcy?
Madeline: That is not a serious question.
Olly: he’s a snob
Madeline: But he overcomes it and eventually realizes that character matters more than class! He’s a man open to learning life’s lessons! Also, he’s completely gorgeous and noble and dark and brooding and poetic. Did I mention gorgeous? Also, he loves Elizabeth beyond all reason” (Yoon, 2015 p. 50-51).
Once Olly starts school for the year, he sends pictures to Madeline. She relates the following: "With Olly back in school, our IM sessions are even more limited. He IMs when he can--in between classes or, sometimes, right in the middle of one. During his first week back he does his best to make me feel as if I'm right there with him. He sends pictures of his locker (#23), his class schedule, the library and the librarian, who looks exactly as I imagine a high school librarian would, which is to say bookish and wonderful. He sends pictures of math proofs from his AP math class, his AP English required reading list, pictures of beakers and petri dishes from his biology and chemistry classes" (Yoon, 2015 p. 155).
Timeout: As an aspiring Media Specialist (with the great hope to become a High School Media Specialist), I only hope that I will one day be described as bookish and wonderful. I am pretty doggone bookish and wonderful if I do say so myself :).
My favorite Life is Short (TM) Spoiler Reviews by Madeline is: "The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery Spoiler alert: Love is worth everything. Everything" (Yoon, 2015 p. 302).
Final Thoughts
It was awesome to read a book about such a very diverse character. Also, in reading about Madeline's situation, I was able to gain an understanding of someone who is medically fragile. There is a BIG PLOT TWIST that I halfway saw coming just a bit before it happened. I am sure that it will bother some readers and other readers will adore it--I understood the rationale behind it and felt great empathy toward the characters because of this twist. Nicola Yoon's prose was beautifully written and I thoroughly loved David Yoon's drawings. This book was very innovative and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book. Also, there is an Everything Everything movie coming down the pipeline...I am sure that I will see this movie one day.
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