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TL;DR: Twins Noah and Jude were once inseparable. At thirteen, Noah is a shy, artistic boy who falls for the new boy next door, and Jude is a fearless daredevil. By sixteen, after a family tragedy, they barely speak, and each holds secrets. The story is told by Noah at thirteen and Jude at sixteen, and the truth only comes out when both halves are put together.
Table of Contents
I'll Give You the Sun at a Glance
| Author | Jandy Nelson |
| First published | 2014 |
| Type | Young adult novel |
| Best for | readers who want a vivid, emotional novel about art, grief, love and siblings |
I'll Give You the Sun is a young adult novel by Jandy Nelson, published in 2014. It won the Michael L. Printz Award and the Stonewall Book Award. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes death of a parent, grief, homophobia and sexual content.
Main Characters
- Noah Sweetwine: A shy, artistic twin.
- Jude Sweetwine: A bold twin who becomes withdrawn.
- Brian Connelly: The boy next door.
- Guillermo Garcia: A sculptor Jude studies with.
- Oscar: A charming young man Jude meets.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Noah at thirteen
Noah draws constantly and imagines the world in colorful pictures. He hides his feelings for Brian, a boy who collects meteorites. Noah and Jude both want to get into a prestigious art school. Their mother encourages Noah's art, which makes Jude feel left out. The twins begin to compete.
Jude at sixteen
Jude, now at the art school, feels lost. She wears baggy clothes and avoids boys, haunted by guilt. She talks to her dead grandmother's ghost and follows odd superstitions. Noah has given up art and tries to be normal. Their mother has died, and both twins blame themselves.
Secrets
Jude seeks out Guillermo, a famous sculptor, and asks him to teach her stone carving. She meets Oscar, his charming model. Through flashbacks, readers learn that each twin did something to the other around the art school applications that they deeply regret. Their mother was also hiding a secret.
Truths
The twins' secrets finally come out, and each learns that much of their guilt was misplaced. They discover that their mother had been planning big changes in her life, including a connection to Guillermo. Each twin realizes they misunderstood the other.
Healing
Noah and Jude reconnect, and they begin to forgive themselves and each other. Noah reunites with Brian. Jude grows close to Oscar. They finish a sculpture together, joining their art. The family begins to heal, and the twins realize they are stronger together.
5 Key Takeaways
- Siblings can be both rivals and allies.
- Grief can create distance.
- Secrets can hurt more than the truth.
- Art can express what words cannot.
- Forgiveness can heal.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Seeing the whole story changes everything.
- Courage is needed to be yourself.
- Love takes many forms.
Who Should Read I'll Give You the Sun?
Read I'll Give You the Sun if you enjoy emotional, artistic and character-driven novels. It suits teens and adults.
About Jandy Nelson
Jandy Nelson is an American author and former literary agent. Her first novel, The Sky Is Everywhere, was adapted into a 2022 film. I'll Give You the Sun won the Michael L. Printz Award. Her third novel, When the World Was Ours, was published in 2023. She lives in San Francisco.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of I'll Give You the Sun:
- Why do Noah and Jude stop speaking?
- How does art help the twins?
- What does the title mean?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether I'll Give You the Sun is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of I'll Give You the Sun, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is vivid, moving and beautifully written.
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What to Read Next
- The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: a girl finds love after loss
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz: two boys discover love
- We Are Okay by Nina LaCour: a girl confronts grief
Frequently Asked Questions
What is I'll Give You the Sun about?
Twin siblings drift apart after a family tragedy and find their way back.
Who wrote it?
Jandy Nelson, in 2014.
Who are Noah and Jude?
Twin siblings.
Who narrates?
Noah at thirteen and Jude at sixteen.
Did it win awards?
Yes, the Printz Award and Stonewall Award.
Who is Guillermo?
A sculptor Jude studies with.
What happened to their mother?
She died in a car accident.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 370 pages.
Is it LGBTQ+?
Yes, Noah is gay.
Is it sad?
It is emotional but hopeful.
Is there a film?
A film adaptation has been announced.
Is the writing unusual?
Yes, it is full of colorful, artistic images.
Is I'll Give You the Sun worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a vivid, emotional novel about art, grief, love and siblings. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.