Lenny's Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee

Lenny's Book of Everything

by Karen Foxlee

A moving novel about love, loss and growing up with a brother who has gigantism

"Tough, tender and beautiful"
Glenda Millard, author of The Stars at Oktober Bend

Lenny Spink is the sister of a giant. Her little brother Davey won't stop growing - and at seven is as tall as a man.

When they receive their monthly instalment of Burrell's Build-It-at-Home Encyclopedia set, fun and excitement burst into Lenny and Davey's lives. The amazing, mysterious entries in the book's pages give them a way to dream of escape: Lenny vows to become a beetle expert, while Davey decides he will run away to Canada and build a log cabin. But as Davey's disease progresses, the siblings' richly imagined world becomes harder to cling to in this deeply moving and original novel about grief, family and wonder.

"Warm, humorous, absolutely real and above all, uplifting... Karen Foxlee, you're a genius"
Wendy Orr, author of Dragonfly Song

Karen Foxlee was born in Mount Isa, Australia. She trained and worked as a nurse before studying for a degree in creative writing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is the author of five books, including The Anatomy of Wings, which won the Commonwealth Writer's Prize for Best First Book in the South East Asia and South Pacific region, and Lenny's Book of Everything, which is published by Pushkin Children's Books.

Reviewed by Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub on

4 of 5 stars

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Melancholy, but never overdone, this beautiful book is perfectly written. It’s told from Lenny’s point of view as she and her brother Davey turn to an encyclopedia set to help them navigate the things they don’t understand and can’t control. This book is a thoughtful commentary on dealing with grief.

I can tell that this will be considered a classic in its type- keeping company with A Monster Calls and Bridge to Terabithia. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. This book will stay with me and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it made into a movie a few years down the line.

I love that it’s written for children because so often we try to protect kids from the big things, not realizing that these things affect them too. The language is simple, but never condescending. It doesn’t hold back, but it also doesn’t attempt to oversell, if that makes sense. I tell you what, though: plan on getting a mysterious case of teary eye toward the end!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 April, 2019: Finished reading
  • 2 April, 2019: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 2 April, 2019: Reviewed