For teens exploring their identity within a unique family, this coming-of-age novel spans historical eras, offering a rich tapestry of personal and societal change.
A parent might reach for this book when their older teen is grappling with feelings of being an outsider within their own family or is navigating an intense, all-consuming first love. All About Lulu is a quirky and heartfelt novel that follows Will Miller, a scrawny, intellectual boy growing up in a family of world-class bodybuilders in Santa Monica. Spanning from the 1960s to the 1990s, the story centers on his lifelong, complicated love for his brilliant adopted sister, Lulu, and his struggle to forge an identity separate from his family's larger-than-life world. Recommended for mature teens (16+), this book is a poignant, often funny exploration of unconventional families, self-discovery, and the enduring power of a first love that defines a lifetime.
Depictions of alcohol and drug use by teens and adults are present throughout the story.
Sad ThemesModerate
The book deals with grief over a parent's death, loneliness, and unrequited love.
LanguageMild
Some profanity and coarse language is used.
Sensitive Topics
The core romantic relationship is between the protagonist and his adopted sister, which is handled with emotional sincerity rather than for shock value. The approach is direct and secular, exploring the complexities of familial versus romantic love. The book also directly addresses parental death, grief, drug and alcohol use, and includes some sexual content. The resolution is realistic and bittersweet, but ultimately hopeful about self-acceptance and the future.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen (16-18) or young adult who enjoys literary, character-driven fiction with a strong sense of time and place. This reader is likely navigating their own feelings of being different from their family, or experiencing a first love that feels world-altering and complex. They appreciate stories that are both funny and sad, and aren't afraid of a bittersweet ending.
Parent Prep
A parent should be prepared for the central romantic theme between adopted siblings, which could be a catalyst for conversations about different types of love and connection. There are also scenes involving teenage drinking, drug use, and sexual situations that a parent may want to preview to gauge comfort levels. This book is best read with an understanding that it explores messy, complicated emotional territory. A parent might notice their teen feeling deeply misunderstood or like the “odd one out” in the family. The teen may be expressing intense emotions about a first relationship, or wrestling with how to define their own future path when it diverges from family expectations.
Age Experience
A 16-year-old reader might connect most with the intense yearning of Will's first love and his frustration with his family. An 18-year-old or older reader will likely have a greater appreciation for the historical scope, the novel's commentary on masculinity, and the long, slow process of building an adult identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many coming-of-age stories, the specific, bizarre, and lovingly detailed world of competitive bodybuilding gives this novel a completely unique flavor. Its decades-spanning narrative also sets it apart, allowing for a profound exploration of how people and relationships change over a lifetime, a scope rarely seen in books for this age group.
Read plot summary
This novel chronicles the life of Will Miller, the non-bodybuilding son in a family of famous bodybuilders in Santa Monica. The story spans four decades, from the Summer of Love to the Dot-com bubble. Its central focus is Will’s deep, abiding, and complicated love for his adopted sister, Lulu. As Lulu’s own life takes her far from home, Will must navigate his unconventional upbringing, societal changes, personal loss, and his own identity to figure out who he is without her.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
How did the Miller family's obsession with bodybuilding shape Will's identity, both in what he embraced and what he rejected?
2
Will's love for Lulu is the core of the book. Do you see their relationship as a true romance, a deep sibling bond, or something else entirely? Why was their connection so powerful?
3
The novel spans several decades. How did the changing historical backdrops, from the 60s to the 90s, influence Will's journey and choices?
4
Will's father is a very unique character. In what ways was he a good parent to Will, and in what ways did his singular focus create challenges for his son?
5
By the end of the novel, Will has a new perspective on his family and his love for Lulu. What do you think he learned about himself and what it means to belong?
