The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

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

Summary: Both Natasha and Daniel live in New York City. Natasha is a Jamaican girl who lives in a one bedroom apartment with her family. She and her family are undocumented illegal immigrants and Daniel lives in a modest but comfortable with his middle class parents. Natasha is on her way to see an immigration lawyer to get papers to stay in the US while Daniel is on his way to a Yale interview even though he does not wish to go. Daniel is initially very open towards a relationship with Natasha after they meet but Natasha is more logical and says love i nothing but science. They agree to spend the day together as long as they are completing a science experiment where they have to ask each other a series of questions that are proven to make someone scientifically fall in love. They continue their day together and Natasha finds out her attorney got into a wreck and won't make their appointment and Daniel fight and part ways for a while. They eventually come back together after they realize they have changed each other's lives. Unfortunately Natasha's case is not won and her family will have to go back to Jamaica. Daniel goes back with her to her home an helps her pack hearing her father promise that they will be a better family when they get back to Jamaica. Daniel takes Natasha to the airport and they part ways eventually growing apart from the distance. 10 years later Natasha and Daniel are on the same plane and they meet a woman from the immigration agency who thought she would take her life but Natasha's kindness changed her mind. 

Strengths:  This book's strength lies in the way that it portrays young love in the face of insurmountable problems. The main character of the book is about to be deported back to her home country of Jamaica when she falls in love with Daniel. Both young people have to get past all that is holding the back to really see what the future holds for each of them.

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JfO5sxYulY

Similar Books: 

• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Nivens
• The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas
• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Other books by Nicola Yoon:

• Everything, Everything

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Printz List