This book is for the teen exploring self-discovery, first love, and finding their voice amidst the excitement and challenges of a summer music festival.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with anxiety after a difficult experience, or has lost passion for something they once loved. "Rise to the Sun" follows two girls, Olivia and Toni, over one weekend at a music festival. Olivia is trying to reclaim her love for music after surviving a mass shooting at a concert a year ago, while Toni is reeling from being kicked out of her band. As they fall for each other, they help one another confront their fears and find the courage to use their voices. This hopeful and joyful story explores healing from trauma, first love, and self-discovery. Appropriate for older teens, it's a powerful choice for its positive representation of Black, queer characters navigating serious challenges with resilience and community.
Brief mentions of underage drinking in a party/festival setting.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central conflict revolves around healing from trauma, specifically PTSD stemming from a mass shooting. The approach is direct and secular, focusing on the psychological impact (panic attacks, avoidance) and the path to recovery through community, therapy (which is mentioned), and reclaiming joyful spaces. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, acknowledging that healing is an ongoing process. It also touches on grief over a parent's death and strained family relationships.
Ideal Reader
A teen, aged 15-18, who is grappling with anxiety, recovering from a traumatic event, or feeling creatively stifled and disconnected from their passions. It’s perfect for a reader who needs a story about reclaiming joy and finding their voice. An ideal read for fans of contemporary queer romance and stories centered on music and the arts.
Parent Prep
A parent should be prepared for direct discussions of a mass shooting and realistic depictions of panic attacks, which could be triggering. Previewing the first few chapters where Olivia's trauma is established would be helpful. The book can be read cold, but its themes are rich for a supportive conversation about healing and resilience. A parent notices their teen has withdrawn from a hobby or passion they once loved after a negative experience. The parent might hear their child say things like, “It’s just not fun anymore,” or sees them actively avoiding places or activities that trigger anxious feelings.
Age Experience
A younger reader (14-15) will likely connect most with the charming romance, the vibrant festival setting, and the friendship drama. An older teen (16-18) will more deeply appreciate the nuanced portrayal of PTSD, the complexities of Toni's relationship with her grieving father, and the powerful theme of finding an authentic artistic voice.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique strength is its defiant juxtaposition of severe trauma with radical joy. The music festival is not just a backdrop but the very space of trauma that the protagonist actively works to reclaim. By centering Black, queer joy as an act of healing and resistance, it offers a powerful and affirming narrative that stands out in the YA landscape.
Read plot summary
The story follows two Black teens, Olivia and Toni, during a weekend at the Farmland Music and Arts Festival. Olivia is attending to confront her PTSD from surviving a mass shooting at a festival the previous year. Toni, a gifted musician, was just kicked out of her band by her best friend and is desperate to win a competition to prove her worth. The girls make a deal to help each other achieve their respective goals, falling for each other in the process as they navigate their individual fears, grief, and dreams.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Olivia feels her love for music was stolen by a traumatic event. Have you ever had a negative experience change how you feel about something you loved? How does Olivia's journey to reclaim music inspire you?
2
Toni and her best friend, Peter, have a major falling out over their band. Do you think Toni was right to try to get back in the band, or should she have focused on her solo music from the start? When is it right to fight for a friendship versus moving on?
3
The 'Sun Game' is a way for Olivia and her dad to find moments of joy even during hard times. What are some small things that act as 'suns' in your own life when you're feeling down?
4
Both Olivia and Toni are afraid to be fully themselves at the start of the book. How do they help each other become more courageous and vulnerable over the course of the weekend?
