The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I

by Carolyn Mackler

Overview

"[Mackler's] teens feel lived in to me—smart, observant, but realistic. . . Much to discuss here in the age of #MeToo." —Gabrielle Zevin, New York Times bestselling author

From Carolyn Mackler, author of the Printz Honor-winning The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, comes a story of what happens when "happily ever after" turns out to be less than perfect.

It's been five months since sixteen-year-old Virginia Shreves thought her life was finally back on course: she has come to terms with who she is both inside and out, and she's even started to rebuild her relationship with her older brother Byron, whose date-rape charge completely shattered everything.

But just as she's getting used to the new normal, Virginia's world turns upside down again. Sparks with boyfriend Froggy Welsh the Fourth fade, her best friend Shannon bombshells bad news, and then the police arrest Byron.

As Virginia struggles to cope, she meets Sebastian, an artist with his own baggage. The pair make a pact not to share their personal dramas. But secrets have a way of coming out, and theirs have the potential to ruin everything.

In this follow-up to the acclaimed The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, Carolyn Mackler brings Virginia's story satisfyingly full circle in a hope-filled tale of forgiveness, love, friendship, and the beauty in life's imperfections.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681199825
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	05/07/2019
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	304,577
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)
Lexile:	HL740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Carolyn Mackler is the acclaimed author of the YA novels The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (a Michael L. Printz Honor Book), Infinite in Between, Tangled, Guyaholic, Vegan Virgin Valentine, and Love and Other Four-Letter Words, as well as the co-author of The Future of Us. She also wrote the middle grade novel Best Friend Next Door. Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.

carolynmackler.com
@carolynmackler

Editorial Reviews

Fans new and old will enjoy watching Virginia's journey towards self-acceptance in this well-timed, thoroughly enjoyable sequel.” —Booklist

“Well-written humor and fizzy romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A thoughtful and engaging read.” —Publishers Weekly

“A welcome read for those who loved the first book, but also strong and enjoyable enough to stand alone.” —School Library Journal

“The deft interweaving of romance and family drama makes this effective for fans of both genres, and the novel will satisfy both established fans of Virginia and newcomers.” —BCCB

“Virginia's . . . rejection of societal body norms and her intuition about 'fat shaming' are exceptional. . . [T]he novel earns high marks for tackling a contemporary issue well.” —VOYA

“In this long-overdue sequel to The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (she's a title maven!), Mackler continues to tackle real-world problems—body issues, love issues, consent issues—without forgetting that real life can still be fun.” —Family Circle

“[Mackler's] teens feel lived in to me—smart, observant, but realistic in terms of their insecurities and limitations. I particularly appreciate the candid and non-judgmental way she depicts teen sensuality and female desire . . . Much to discuss here in the age of #metoo.” —Gabrielle Zevin, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY

“Carolyn Mackler is a remarkably astute observer of human frailties and hearts.” —E. Lockhart, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of WE WERE LIARS

“I loved this book. It's funny, sweet, and most of all, hopefully. It should be required reading for all girls, everywhere.” —Sarah Dessen, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author, on THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS

“Mackler writes with such insight and humor . . . that many readers will immediately identify.” —Booklist on THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS

“Worthy of applause.” —Publishers Weekly on THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS

“Readers will be rooting for Virginia all the way.” —Kirkus Reviews on THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS

“Virginia's story will interest readers who are looking for . . . teen angst, a bit of romance, and a kid who is a bit like them and their friends.” —SLJ on THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS

“Mackler keeps all five story lines clear, absorbing, and integral to the larger story of friendship, perseverance, and hope.” —Publishers Weekly on INFINITE IN BETWEEN

“Characters live, grow, and ultimately come of age in a beautifully constructed world.” —Kirkus Reviews on INFINITE IN BETWEEN

“A wonderfully written peek into adolescence gushing with relatability.” —School Library Journal on INFINITE IN BETWEEN

“The characters' insight, humor, and idiosyncrasies ring true.” —VOYA on INFINITE IN BETWEEN

From the Publisher

The themes of social and familial estrangement and body image that grounded the earlier work remain strong…If Byron's comeuppance might seem to fall a bit short, especially in the face of the #MeToo movement, Virginia's struggle to access her voice and her agency does not. Readers will root for her as she figures out the conflicting terrain of loving family and loving yourself at the same time.

The New York Times Book Review - Meg Medina

02/26/2018
Virginia Shreves is back in Mackler’s sequel to her award-winning 2003 novel, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. She’s still worried about her weight, still worried about boys and finding love, but most of all worried because her brother, Byron, has just been arrested. Mackler infuses momentum into Virginia’s story by returning to the alleged sexual assault Byron committed at Columbia, for which he faces trial and possible jail time. Virginia must parse her feelings about her brother and what he did (or may not have done)—not an easy subject, but one that Mackler handles with sensitivity and complexity. Meanwhile, Virginia resists getting her driver’s license and embarks on a secret romance with the brother of the woman who accused Byron of rape. Though a sense of impending doom looms over their new relationship because of the circumstances, the tension doesn’t lead to predictable conflict. Mackler provides Virginia with plenty of opportunity for growth as she navigates romance, family difficulties, and relatable struggles with self-image. A thoughtful and engaging read. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (May)

Publishers Weekly

03/01/2018
Gr 8 Up—Virginia Shreves is back in the sequel to The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. Initially, not much has changed—she and Froggy are still hot and heavy, the drama of Byron's rape charge seems to be going away, and her relationship with her parents remains tense. She misses Shannon who has moved to Spokane, but she and Alyssa have developed a friendship. The status quo changes quickly. Her feelings for Froggy have changed and she really does not want to continue their relationship. The girl Byron raped has pressed charges against him, his future is at stake, and Virginia's parents keep trying to present a perfect family facade to the world. Virginia's new crush just happens to be the brother of the girl Byron raped. Life has become complicated and uncomfortable, and Virginia finds herself unsure of what to do about all of the issues surrounding her. She continues to be a well-rounded and maturing protagonist although the same cannot be said for most of the other characters. The plot, while continuing to elaborate on events from the previous volume, gives enough background that familiarity with the first book is not necessary for enjoyment and understanding. As Virginia struggles to find herself and make the right decisions, she and the universe are truly expanding. VERDICT A welcome read for those who loved the first book, but also strong and enjoyable enough to stand alone.—Janet Hilbun, University of North Texas, Denton

School Library Journal

2018-03-05
A New Yorker grapples with mixed loyalties.Readers met Virginia Shreves in The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (2003). One semester on, the 16-year-old, who attends an expensive private school, has dyed her hair purple and green and wears brightly-colored bras. She's trying to reconcile her list of rules entitled "How To Make Sure Skinny Girls Aren't the Only Ones Who Have Boyfriends"—a personal campaign—with no longer having feelings for her boyfriend, Froggy. Then Annie Mills, a young woman Virginia's 20-year-old brother raped last fall, unexpectedly presses charges. Byron, the brother she once idolized, now faces prison. Coincidentally, Sebastian, the dreamy blond boy Virginia meets at a bagel shop, turns out to be Annie's 17-year-old brother. Despite Annie's adamant discomfort with Virginia and Sebastian's connection, their relationship ultimately brings solace to Annie's mother. Annie's feelings on the matter are sacrificed, making the otherwise-delicious romance harder to root for. Virginia's challenges are her family—cold, controlling, and image-obsessed—and her own body image, which she triumphantly levels up, though eschewing the term "fat" in favor of "curvaceous chick." Her secondary romance is Manhattan, detailed and buzzing, though whiter than is realistic; Chinatown and its inhabitants are exoticized and presented as foreign. The Mills and Shreves families are white.Well-written humor and fizzy romance wrapped in an uneasy plot. (Fiction. 14-16)

Kirkus Reviews