The Sun is also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Summary: 

     The Sun is also a Star tells the story of 17-year-old Jamaican-American Natasha who leaves her family’s home to help her find a way to evade deportation.  The reason for the deportation because her father, after being stopped for a DUI, informed authorities that he and his family were in America illegally.  While speaking to a U.S. Customs and Immigration Service agent; she is directed to meet with an immigration attorney. 

     At the same time, this was happening; Korean-American Daniel is getting ready to go to an interview with a Yale University.  Daniel decides to take a subway to get ready; where the subway conductor urges his passengers to find GOD, like he just did.  Daniel decides that he will look for signs of God.  During his search for signs; he and Natasha meet for the first time at a record store where they instantly hit it off.  The two are total opposites on their beliefs; where Natasha is more focused on reason, science and logic; and Daniel is more passionate, creative and faithful. 

     The day goes by, the two spend every moment together.  The learn more about each other and at the same time they begin to positively change each other’s lives.  Daniel decides that it is O.K not to do what his parents want him to do; while Natasha want to find some passion in her life.  By the end of the day they realize that they have fallen in love.  At the end of the day; Natasha calls USCIS to leave thanks and Daniel ends up at his Yale University interview; coincidentally with the Immigration Attorney that Natasha was directed to meet.   Unfortunately, Natasha and her family end up being deported back to Jamaica.  Daniel and Natasha try to keep in touch in hopes of their romance blossoming; but distance hinders this and their love falls apart.  Years later; they accidentally meet and recognize each other.   

Commentary on the Strengths

The Sun is also a Star is a Young Adult novel written by Nicola Yoon.  The book is a contemporary, romance-fiction novel that deals with various questions and issues.   The story looks closely at questions about love, fate, and God. It also tackles race relations and prejudices among ethnic groups that are non-white.  The book is written where the two main protagonists narrate each chapter; with a third person narrator scattered (believed to be God) in between. This book was the recipient of the following awards:

            2017 Printz Honor Book
            2017 Teen Choice Book Awards Finalist
            2017 Coretta Scott King Award Winner
            2016 National Book Award Finalist. 

Readers also enjoyed Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven; The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli; Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett; The Names They Gave Us by Emma Mills; and The Twelve Days of Dask and Lily by Rachel Cohn

An additional book written by the author is Everything, Everything

Teachers can find ideas about incorporating this book in their lesson plans on the following website: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=12157

Yoon, N. (2016). The sun is also a star. New York: Delacorte Press.

Book Trailer