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The Sun Is Also a Star

Nicola Yoon

Start date: June 1, 2017

Finish date: June 30, 2017

Discussion: Monthly Group Reads

Why we're reading this: June is Classism. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
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What Members Thought

Dec 08, 2017 Stacey rated it it was amazing

I big breathy 'yes!' when I finished this novel. This is a coming of age story, but it's very relevant in today's reality of illegal immigrants being deported. This story puts the reader in Natasha's shoes as she fears being deported to Jamaica...tomorrow. As a senior in high school it's a scary feeling leaving everything you know to somewhere you know nothing about.

By chance she meets Daniel. A spark of attraction ignites between the two of them. In a way they have the same struggles. Daniel wa ...more

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Jul 24, 2017 Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: drama, contemporary, romance, tough-subjects, audiobooks, realistic-fiction, characters-of-color, multi-povs, pretty-cover, young-adult

Quick review for a somewhat quick read. I actually liked "The Sun Is Also A Star" more than I liked "Everything, Everything". It's a very ambitious novel that covers a lot of ground, probably more than I think one book could really cover, but what it manages to do still resonated with me on more than one level, and the cross-cultural elements of the novel really stayed with me after I finished the novel, even when I found the events not as satisfying as I would've liked.

It's hard to label this a Quick review for a somewhat quick read. I actually liked "The Sun Is Also A Star" more than I liked "Everything, Everything". It's a very ambitious novel that covers a lot of ground, probably more than I think one book could really cover, but what it manages to do still resonated with me on more than one level, and the cross-cultural elements of the novel really stayed with me after I finished the novel, even when I found the events not as satisfying as I would've liked.

It's hard to label this a dual perspective story when it's really a multi-perspective novel. The reason why I say it's multi-perspective is because of the omniscient narrator, who explores more than just the main two characters in the novel. I actually appreciated the omniscient narrator, who gives context of more than just the history of the families and main character perspectives here. The omniscent narrator also gives context within the measure of actual cultural and socioeconomic histories pertinent to the character backgrounds. I honestly wasn't expecting to hear a microhistory of (for example) black hair care and the influences of women like Madame C.J. Walker, but I'm very glad it was included.

The primary characters in this novel are Daniel and Natasha. Natasha is a Jamaican born teen whose family faces the reality of being deported from America after her father makes what she considers the worst mistake of their lives. Natasha struggles with conflict in her family and wants more than anything for them to stay, so she searches for ways to do so in the very last day before they're deported. Daniel is a Korean-American boy who has his future lined up for him, but faces inner turmoil in conflict with his family based on his own dreams. Natasha and Daniel couldn't be more different in their ideologies (scientific based for her, artistic for him), but their struggles feel palpable and similar in the scheme of the story. When they unite, their chemistry and banter is fun to watch in places. Ultimately though, the story shows their very real conflicts and it doesn't always end up in an idealized scenario. I feel like there were certain points of the narrative that were too easily summarized for future context, but I understood why they were done that way. It's amazing that this book takes place in the span of a day for the present events, but it goes through this entire history and background to build the history and characterizations up to where they feel fuller, if not entirely realized. I really liked and appreciated the novel as a whole, though I'll admit that even after finishing the novel, it still left me wanting more.

Overall score: 3.5/5 stars. ...more

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Nov 20, 2016 Kristy rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, ya, a-real-book-wow, from-the-library, favorites, read-in-2016

Natasha is a Jamaica-born teenager who believes more in science than true love. She and her family are also about to be deported back to Jamaica. Daniel, the son of Korean-born parents, is a dutiful son who dreams of becoming a poet. Daniel loves words and the idea of fate. When he meets Natasha, he's convinced she's his. His fate, his true love. Natasha isn't so sure, but she can't help but admit that this handsome, intelligent boy is something special.

What follows is an amazing story of two y Natasha is a Jamaica-born teenager who believes more in science than true love. She and her family are also about to be deported back to Jamaica. Daniel, the son of Korean-born parents, is a dutiful son who dreams of becoming a poet. Daniel loves words and the idea of fate. When he meets Natasha, he's convinced she's his. His fate, his true love. Natasha isn't so sure, but she can't help but admit that this handsome, intelligent boy is something special.

What follows is an amazing story of two young people: most of it occurring across the day they meet. Told from the alternating perspectives of Natasha and Daniel, but interspersed with bits and pieces of history, facts, and small insights into the people with whom they come into contact on their one magical day, this is a beautiful, lovely, and touching story. Daniel readily admits in the novel that he's a cheesy guy, and yes, the story may be a bit cheesy at points, but boy, it draws you in immediately, and it's just... great. I really loved Yoon's first book, Everything, Everything, and I think this one may be even better. How does she do it?

Daniel and Natasha spring to life in front of you, as you frantically flip pages, wondering what will become of these two people. The bit players in their life take on a life all of their own, thanks to the little insight you receive via their own chapters. I am just awed at how well this woman writes teenage characters - spirited, real, flawed, lovely characters. I read the second half of this book in one sitting, because I just had to see how it ended, and find out the fate of Natasha and Daniel.

Indeed, the racial and immigration plotlines of this novel could not seem more timely, what with the Presidential Election and the current tumult America is undergoing. I wish this book was required reading of every citizen.

"If people who were actually born here had to prove they were worthy enough to live in America, this would be a much less populated country." ~ Natasha

This is not just a potential love story; this is a book that will make you think and make you cry. It's a love story of teens, it's an ode to New York City, and it's a tribute to both science and poetry. I highly recommend it. ...more

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Feb 14, 2017 Becca rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, 2017-read-in-colour, favorites, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Natasha is about to be deported because of her father's irresponsible actions. Daniel is killing time before his Yale interview. The two happen to cross paths, and we the readers see the happenstance and domino effects that follow.

Yoon's writing is spectacular. I had just finished Everything, Everything a few weeks ago, and while I love that book, this one is even better. Her characters are different and believable, and perfect for YA. The story keeps moving at a good pace (I read both of her bo ...more

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