The Sun is also a Star

By Author / Illustrator

Nicola Yoon

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Penguin Random House Children's UK

ISBN

9780552574242

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

03-11-2016

Synopsis

*Now a major film starring Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton*

The New York Times bestselling love story from Nicola Yoon, author of Everything, Everything.

Natasha:
I'm a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true.

I'm definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him.

Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won't be my story.

Daniel:
I've always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents' high expectations.

Never the poet. Or the dreamer.

But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store-for both of us.

The Universe:
Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

Reviews

Natasha is an undocumented immigrant facing deportation. Daniel is a Korean American living with strict first-generation immigrant parents and struggling to fit in. When fate or chance brings them together, they have very different opinions about where their relationship is heading and how the world around them works. Idealistic, free-spirited poet Daniel believes destiny led him to science-geek Natasha. When he saves her from being run over, Natasha feels obliged to let him tag along with her, convinced she won't fall for his obvious charms. Weighed down with the terrifying prospect of deportation by the end of the day, Natasha nonetheless finds herself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic Daniel. As they grapple with unwanted futures, difficult families and conflicting opinions, they realise that their time together may be tragically short. Told over the course of twelve hours, the narrative flips between Natasha and Daniel and is interspersed with opinions from peripheral characters and fascinating background facts. The main characters are flawed but likeable and whilst the storyline may be a little implausible in places, the unravelling love story is powerful and believable without being too saccharine. This is a vibrant YA novel that tackles big themes such as race, culture and immigration at the same time as exploring love, friendship and identity. A good, sharply-written novel for those who enjoy smart, insightful romances. 384 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian.