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TL;DR: Natasha Kingsley, a practical girl who believes in science, has one day left before her family is deported to Jamaica. Daniel Bae, a poet whose Korean American parents want him to become a doctor, believes in love at first sight. When their paths cross in New York City, Daniel is sure they are meant to be. In one day, they challenge each other's beliefs about fate and love.
Table of Contents
The Sun Is Also a Star at a Glance
| Author | Nicola Yoon |
| First published | 2016 |
| Type | Young adult romance |
| Best for | readers who want a romantic, thoughtful story about chance, connection and identity |
The Sun Is Also a Star is a young adult novel by Nicola Yoon, published in 2016. It was a National Book Award finalist and was adapted into a 2019 film. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes deportation, family conflict and a car accident.
Main Characters
- Natasha Kingsley: A science-loving girl facing deportation.
- Daniel Bae: A dreamy poet.
- Natasha's father: A struggling actor.
- Daniel's parents: Korean American shop owners.
- Jeremy Fitzgerald: A lawyer who could help Natasha.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Last day
Natasha's family has been undocumented since she was a child. Her father was caught driving drunk, and now they must leave the country. Natasha spends her last day trying to stop the deportation. Daniel is on his way to an interview for Yale, his parents' dream for him.
Meeting
Daniel sees Natasha in a crowd and feels a strong connection. He follows her and saves her from being hit by a car. They begin talking. Daniel challenges Natasha to fall in love with him in one day, using a scientific list of questions. Natasha thinks it is silly but agrees.
Connections
The novel includes short chapters from other people they meet, such as a security guard and a lawyer's assistant. These chapters show how small choices affect many lives. Natasha and Daniel visit Daniel's family's shop, where his brother is cruel, and they talk about fate, science and their dreams.
Hope
Natasha meets with the lawyer Jeremy, who promises to help, but he is distracted by his own problems. Daniel and Natasha fall for each other as the day goes on. Natasha starts to believe in love, though she fears it will not matter, since she must leave.
Goodbye
The deportation cannot be stopped. Natasha and Daniel say goodbye at the airport. Years later, in an epilogue, they meet again by chance on a plane. They recognize each other, and the story ends with a hint that fate may bring them together after all.
5 Key Takeaways
- Small choices can change lives.
- Love and science can coexist.
- Immigration policies affect real families.
- Parents' dreams may differ from children's.
- Connections can happen in a single day.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Everyone is connected in surprising ways.
- Following your own path takes courage.
- Chance meetings can shape the future.
Who Should Read The Sun Is Also a Star?
Read The Sun Is Also a Star if you enjoy romantic, thoughtful stories with big ideas about fate and identity. It suits teens and adults.
About Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon (born 1972) is a Jamaican American author who grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn. Her first novel, Everything, Everything, was a New York Times best seller and became a film. She is married to the illustrator David Yoon. Her later books include Instructions for Dancing and One of Our Kind.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of The Sun Is Also a Star:
- Do you believe in fate or chance?
- How do Natasha and Daniel change each other?
- Why does the book include other characters' perspectives?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether The Sun Is Also a Star is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of The Sun Is Also a Star, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is romantic and smart, with a moving ending.
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What to Read Next
- Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: a girl who cannot leave her house falls in love
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: two misfits fall in love
- They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera: a life-changing single day
Related: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Sun Is Also a Star about?
Two teens meet and fall in love on the day one of them is to be deported.
Who wrote it?
Nicola Yoon, in 2016.
Who is Natasha?
A science-loving girl from Jamaica.
Who is Daniel?
A Korean American poet.
Where is it set?
New York City.
Is there a film?
Yes, the 2019 film.
Was it a National Book Award finalist?
Yes.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 350 pages.
Is it a romance?
Yes, with big ideas.
Does it have a happy ending?
It is hopeful.
Does it include other viewpoints?
Yes, short chapters from minor characters.
Is it based on a true story?
No, though it draws on real immigration issues.
Is The Sun Is Also a Star worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a romantic, thoughtful story about chance, connection and identity. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.