The Sun is Also a Star, 2016’s National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller, will become Nicola Yoon’s second novel to hit the big screen. Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi, 18, will portray Natasha, an illegal Jamaican immigrant who falls in love with a Korean immigrant, Daniel. An undeniable but inconvenient romance claims both teens when Natasha gets deported to Jamaica.
Alloy Entertainment, which produces books, films, and television, will collaborate with MGM, and its parent company, Warner Brothers for the project, just as they did with Yoon’s first novel, Everything, Everything. The Sun is Also a Star is published by the Penguin Random House imprint, Delacorte Press (One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManu).
In addition to acting, Shahidi is also known for being involved with social issues, especially immigration. Yoon, who is also Jamaican-American like Natasha, tweeted about the film announcement:
“You guys. I’m so over-the-moon thrilled about this!!! @YaraShahidi is not only a brilliant actress, she’s a tireless activist & advocate. She’s gonna make the perfect Natasha!!”
Yoon is currently writing more books (or hits). You can visit her at http://www.nicolayoon.com/