48 pages 1 hour read

Kelly Loy Gilbert

Picture Us in the Light

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

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.

Reviews & Readership

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.

Recommended

Reading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

890L

Book Details

Genre

Realistic Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Themes

Relationships: Family

Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Topics

LGBTQ

Arts / Culture

Depression / Suicide