Dickens & Rumi
Cover of HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE

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HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE

Jennifer Niven

A white girl and a biracial boy learn to love each other and themselves. (Ages 14 to 18)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The novel includes sustained bullying, grief, body-image and mental-health themes, ableist behavior, strong emotional distress, teen romance, kissing, and some mature language and references. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Strong language3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist's mother died, which is a major backstory element driving her emotional journey.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Includes some strong language and instances of harsh name-calling consistent with YA drama.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

Includes minor LGBTQIA representation among the secondary cast.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

The developing relationship between Libby and Jack is central, involving attraction, dating-like experiences, kissing, conflict, and emotional vulnerability.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

Bullying, panic, humiliation, and fear of not recognizing people may feel tense, but there are no frightening creatures, horror scenes, or sustained physical danger.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains mild references to sexual maturity and typical adolescent attraction.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental references to high school party settings.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Contains depictions of bullying and verbal aggression in a high school setting.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Libby and Jack confront bullying, grief, disability-related challenges, and social fear while taking difficult steps toward change.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Explores themes of artistic expression and perspective.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

The story centers a plus-size protagonist and a protagonist with prosopagnosia, treating their experiences and agency as substantial parts of the narrative.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

It offers meaningful understanding of prosopagnosia, grief, body image, bullying, and mental health, though education is not the primary purpose.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Friendship, family care, listening, inclusion, and compassionate support are recurring counterpoints to cruelty and stigma.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It strongly emphasizes empathy, resilience, accepting differences, challenging stigma, seeking support, and judging people beyond appearances.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters are flawed but work toward growth and accountability.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in HOLDING UP THE UNIVERSE, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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