For teens navigating the complexities of friendship and self-discovery, this graphic novel explores how shared passions can bridge divides and build resilience.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the intense, often painful, world of close friendships and finding their place. 'A Map to the Sun' tells the story of Ren and Luna, former best friends who reconnect on a fledgling high school basketball team. Through the lens of sports, the graphic novel explores the complexities of loyalty, jealousy, and forgiveness. It offers a realistic portrayal of teenage life, complete with family pressures, self-doubt, and the struggle for belonging. With its diverse cast and emotionally resonant art, this book is ideal for teens who are figuring out who they are and how to mend broken relationships, showing that resilience is a team sport.
A character gets into a physical fight, resulting in a bloody nose.
Substance ReferencesMild
A parent's neglect is strongly implied to be related to substance abuse.
Romantic ContentMild
Includes some kissing and discussions of crushes, including a same-sex relationship.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with emotional neglect, poverty, and family dysfunction. One character's mother is implied to have a substance abuse problem. The resolution for these issues is not a simple fix but is rooted in the character's growing resilience. The story also includes a casual and positive depiction of a queer relationship. The overall tone is realistic and ultimately hopeful, focusing on mending bonds and personal growth.
Ideal Reader
A teen (13-16) who feels misunderstood or is navigating a complicated friendship. It's a perfect fit for readers who appreciate intense, character-driven stories, nuanced female relationships, and art that powerfully conveys emotion. Excellent for fans of sports manga or realistic graphic novels like those by Mariko Tamaki.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of mature themes. Ren's home life involves emotional neglect and an unstable parent. There are instances of profanity and a scene with an underage character drinking at a party. One scene depicts a physical fight resulting in a bloody nose. The book can be read cold, but its emotional weight might warrant a conversation about handling difficult friendships and family stress. A parent notices their teen is withdrawing after a major fight with a best friend. The teen might be expressing feelings of being overwhelmed by social pressures, not fitting in, or being unable to reconnect with someone they miss.
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-13) will likely connect most with the basketball action and the central friendship drama. An older teen (14-16) is more equipped to appreciate the subtleties of the story: the impact of socioeconomic status on the characters' choices, the nuances of family dysfunction, and the quiet moments of identity exploration.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique power lies in Sloane Leong's expressive, kinetic art style. The use of vibrant, often non-realistic color palettes to convey emotion is stunning and distinctive. Unlike many team stories, it centers the messy, internal lives of a truly diverse cast (in race, body type, and sexuality) in a way that feels deeply authentic and integrated, not like a checklist.
Read plot summary
Ren and Luna, once inseparable best friends, have a painful falling out. A year later, they find themselves on the same newly formed, underdog high school girls' basketball team. The narrative follows the team's tumultuous season, interweaving the on-court action with the players' complicated personal lives. Ren deals with a difficult, neglectful home environment, while Luna struggles with insecurity and pressure to succeed. The story charts their difficult path back toward understanding and reconciliation, exploring how a shared goal can help heal deep wounds.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ren and Luna's friendship breaks and is slowly mended. What do you think was the real reason they drifted apart? What specific moment in the book made you feel like they might become friends again?
2
The basketball team is made up of very different girls. How does being part of the team change individuals like Jetta or Taylor? Do you think the team needed its struggles to become strong?
3
Sloane Leong uses color in a very powerful way. Think about the scenes with bright, hot colors versus the ones with cool, muted colors. How did the color choices affect how you felt during those scenes?
4
Ren is very private about her difficult home life. Why do you think she tries to handle everything herself? How does her situation at home affect her actions on and off the basketball court?
