Picture Us in the Light

Kelly Loy Gilbert
48 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
YA
Published in 2018

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Book Brief

Kelly Loy Gilbert

Picture Us in the Light

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018
Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Realistic Fiction

•

Coming of Age

•

Modern Classic Fiction
Setting

Silicon Valley • Contemporary

Theme
Family

•

Grief

•

Guilt
Topic
LGBTQ+

•

Arts & Culture

•

Depression & Suicide
First Publication Year

2018

Publisher

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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Super Short Summary

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert follows Danny Cheng, an artistic high school senior, as he navigates a challenging period marked by his father's job loss, a pending move, and the secrets of his family's past slowly unraveling. Struggling with his feelings for his best friend Harry and guilt over another friend's death by suicide, Danny uncovers hidden truths about his parents' undocumented status, a long-lost sister, and the complexities of family and identity.

Emotional

Contemplative

Mysterious

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.1

5,499 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert is widely praised for its emotional depth and complex characters. Reviewers commend its thoughtful exploration of immigration, identity, and family secrets, while some feel the pacing can be slow and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it's lauded for its poignant and resonant storytelling.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Picture Us in the Light?

Readers who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction with complex family dynamics and emotional depth would appreciate Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert. Fans of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and We Are Okay by Nina LaCour will find this book engaging for its introspective narrative and exploration of identity.

4.1

5,499 ratings

77%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

An artist and high school senior with strong connections to his family and friends, preparing for a future at the Rhode Island School of Design while navigating complex personal challenges.

Supportive and protective figures who strive to help Danny pursue his dreams, while managing their own mental health struggles and dealing with a painful family secret.

Danny's best friend from a wealthy Taiwanese family, who is managing familial expectations and discovering his own identity while maintaining a close but complicated friendship with Danny.

A dedicated student journalist and natural leader dealing with her own internal conflicts, she supports her friends while grappling with guilt over a close friend's death.

Her presence is felt in the memories of her friends after her death by suicide, serving as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness within the community.

Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Realistic Fiction

•

Coming of Age

•

Modern Classic Fiction
Setting

Silicon Valley • Contemporary

Theme
Family

•

Grief

•

Guilt
Topic
LGBTQ+

•

Arts & Culture

•

Depression & Suicide
First Publication Year

2018

Publisher

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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