Disclaimer: I received this book from the library! Support your local library! All opinions are my own.
Book: A Map to the Sun
Author: Sloane Leong
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black MC and characters, Hawaiian character, Chinese character
Recommended For…: young adult readers, graphic novel lovers, contemporary readers, sports story readers
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary Graphic Novel
Age Relevance: 16+ (death, derogatory term used, bullying, parental death, language, cutting, Christianity, underage alcohol consumption, potential sexual assault, fatphobia, misogyny, drug use mentioned, child sexual assault, sexism)
Explanation of Above: Death and parental death are mentioned in the book. There is a derogatory term used in the book (spaz). There are scenes of bullying. There is some slight cursing. Cutting is shown. Christianity is mentioned. Underage alcohol consumption is shown. There is a potential sexual assault mentioned and child sexual assault shown and mentioned in the form of a scene shown where teacher kissing a high schooler and an implication that they are having more illegal physical relations. There are scenes of fatphobia, misogyny, and sexism. There is also drug use mentioned.
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 368
Synopsis: One summer day, Ren meets Luna at a beachside basketball court and a friendship is born. But when Luna moves to back to Oahu, Ren’s messages to her friend go unanswered.
Years go by. Then Luna returns, hoping to rekindle their friendship. Ren is hesitant. She’s dealing with a lot, including family troubles, dropping grades, and the newly formed women’s basketball team at their highschool. With Ren’s new friends and Luna all on the basketball team, the lines between their lives on and off the court begin to blur. During their first season, this diverse and endearing group of teens are challenged in ways that make them reevaluate just who and how they trust.
Sloane Leong’s evocative storytelling about the lives of these young women is an ode to the dynamic nature of friendship.
Review: I really loved this book so much. The graphic novel has some of the most beautiful and colorful artwork that I’ve ever seen in my life. The story is also so beautifully told as well. I loved the friendship between the characters and it reminded me a lot of Gotta Kick It Up! The pacing was well done, the world building was stupendous, and I could just devour more of this story.
That being said, I’m kinda sad to not see a second book in this world. I would love another story and I want to see the girl’s stories continue. The book could have also been longer, there was definitely enough material for 200-300 more pages easily. The book also kinda ended on a cliffhanger. Where’s the next one please??
Verdict: I love it, the author needs to write more of this story, and please read this book and talk about it with me please.
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