And the Stars Were Burning Brightly

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I think this story will definitely open a lot of eyes and I think this needs to be read by every young person. Al's story is not only important but something that happens to a lot of people. This book made me so angry and sad but I'm so happy that I read it because it just further reinstates the notion that books like this one need to exist.

And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is a powerful book about grief. It follows Nate, who is determined to find the reason for his brother Al's suicide. He's convinced that finding answers to all his questions is going to help him deal with his grief. The other main character in the novel is Megan, who is also dealing with grief after Al - her friend's - suicide. Convinced that she didn't do enough to appreciate Al while he was alive, Megan is determined to be a better friend to him now, and to keep his memory alive through the passion for art that they both shared.

Megan was one of Al’s closest friends but you wouldn’t know it given how rarely they were seen together in public. As Megan reaches out in the wake of her grief, she finds herself in Nathan’s orbit and his search for the truth. This stunning debut is haunting, upsetting, raw, brilliant, astute and devastating in equal measure. And the Stars Were Burning Brightly is a beautifully written story about suicide, the perils of social media, bullying, mental health, homophobia and so much more. Every single one of the characters is totally believable as is every single situation they find themselves in.

Jawando’s moral of the story - based on her own experience - is made very clear: if you need help, ask for it. Do not bottle your feelings up inside - talk to someone. It is better to talk to someone you trust about how you really feel than to let your mind be affected by the things you are experiencing. Al’s story was very powerful and realistic, and I highly recommend this book to everyone. No matter what kind of stories you like, this is definitely one that you should read. It shows you how important the people around you are, and the kind of things that they can help you with during the times you need them most. Nathan was the brother, grieving his older sibling and questioning everything; he needed the why to these events, some reason and he was determined. Alongside Nathan were family, other siblings, his mother, his friend, Al’s friend Megan and some nasty characters. This was a intricately woven story, where as the reader you were alongside Nathan, searching for answers. And the Stars were Burning Brightly is the debut novel by Danielle Jawando, a YA dealing with the aftermath of a teen suicide for his family and closest friends. The book is told from two perspectives. Nate, Al’s younger brother, and Megan, who was Al’s classmate. One of the things that really impressed me in this book though was that Al felt like the third main character, despite not being physically present.

Al was special. Al was talented. Al had so many dreams ... so why did he do it? Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al's footsteps. As he does, he meets Megan, Al's former classmate, who is as determined as Nathan to keep Al's memory alive. Together they start seeking answers, but will either of them be able to handle the truth about Al's death when they eventually discover what happened?

Nathan, 15 year old boy lost his older brother and didn't know why his brother had to kill himself. The family is in grief, especially because Al was a favorite child. The way the author described the feeling of a mother who lost her child really moved me. I liked the issues about broken family and divorce. It i because children who are in this situation cope differently than others.

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I like how Danielle Jawando explored difficult topics that are very important today and shows how hard it would be for family and friends to cope after someone died by suicide, and how bullying can cause someone to feel alone and scared, and could potentially lead them to suicide. I enjoyed how the story switched between the perspective of Nate and Megan, and through the story you got to see some of Al’s thoughts that led him to suicide while Nate tries to figure out what happened for himself. This was a heartbreaking, though provoking, beautiful story about some horrible issues but which are so relevant today. When fifteen-year-old Nathan discovers that his older brother Al, has taken his own life, his whole world is torn apart. Alongside Nathan we have Megan, a friend of Al that few people knew about. They shared an Art class. They were close, but Megan didn’t feel able to go against her ‘cool’ friends and show Al that their friendship was important to her.

Author Guy Bass introduces SCRAP, about one robot who tried to protect the humans on his planet against an army of robots. Now the humans need his... Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al’s footsteps. As he does, he meets Megan, Al's former classmate, who is as determined as Nathan to keep Al's memory alive. Together they start seeking answers, but will either of them be able to handle the truth about Al’s death when they eventually discover what happened? #BurnBright And yet, amongst the horror and heartbreak, there is hope. There is a way through, a way out, and no limit to what you can accomplish. year old Nathan’s life is torn about when he finds out his big brother Al has taken his own life. Al was a talented young man who was so full of passion, and Nathan wonders why he would have done this? Convinced Al was in trouble, Nathan begins to investigate meeting Al’s former classmate Megan on his quest, who like Nathan wants to keep Al’s memory alive. However, when Nathan eventually finds out the truth, sparks are set to fly. Author Luke Palmer introduces his new book, Play (Firefly Press) about four boys growing up together, the challenges, the friendships, and what hap...An extraordinary novel about loss, understanding and the importance of speaking up when all you want to do is shut down, from an incredible new talent, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Gayle Foreman, Jennifer Niven and Nikesh Shukla. About This Edition ISBN: I have to admit, I didn't know about And The Stars Were Burning Brightly before it was READ NOW on Netgalley, but as I noticed it, and the premise sounded interesting to me, I couldn't help myself. I had to read it. It definitely has triggers and it has moved me to tears on several occasions but it's so important that people read this book. It has a place in my heart.