1. Group D---cstubbs10

Summary of; The Sun Is Also a Star, Nicola Yoon. This story follows Natasha Kingsley and Daniel Bae over the course of one life-changing day in New York City. Natasha, a practical and science-driven teenager, is desperately trying to stop her family’s deportation to Jamaica, refusing to believe in fate or love because she trusts only facts and evidence. Meanwhile, Daniel, a poetic and romantic Korean-American teen, struggles with his parents’ expectations, and they want him to follow a traditional career instead of following his dream of becoming a poet. When they unexpectedly meet, Daniel becomes convinced their encounter is meant to be, while Natasha insists it is just a coincidence. As they spend the day together debating love, destiny, and their futures. They begin to form a powerful connection that challenges everything Natasha believes and forces both of them to question what really shapes their lives

question; In The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, it can be known that Natasha’s family is not wealthy because they face financial struggles, cannot easily afford a lawyer to help prevent their deportation, and must work hard just to survive while living in New York City without legal status. “If we’re sent back, there won’t be anything waiting for us in Jamaica. No jobs, no home, no money.”(Yoon pg 10-15 ). This quote shows that Natasha’s family relies on the United States for safety and financial stability, and it makes clear that they do not have much money or resources, which is why staying is so urgent for them.

In “Brighter Than the Sun” by Daniel Aleman, the main character is a young girl named Sol, who has to traverse across the border every day just to get a proper education. She attends school in San Diego, California. She is financially struggling with her family. She has to wake up early, about 5 am, to cross the border to arrive at school on time. Sol is the only person in their family who is a US citizen. This is because her mother was struggling with the pregnancy and could not go through with the pregnancy with the medical care they offer in Mexico. She moves in with her friend, Ari. Their mothers became friends years prior, because Sol and Ari were friends when they were younger, making it inevitable. Sol’s mother died a few years ago, making her take on the responsibilities of the family. She conflicts with herself, needing to get a job to help support her family financially, while needing to support them in their emotional or medical state.

My character, Sol, struggles financially. She has moved across the border to obtain a laborious job at a retail warehouse to help support her family, while returning across the border to spend weekends with them. Some of her shifts began as early as 5 am and can go as late as 12 am. “I did the earlier this week, and the truth is, two- and three-hour shifts just won’t cut it- not if I want to make enough money to save the restaurant any time soon” (Aleman 79). She does this all while attending school, while working diligently in hopes of getting into college. She believes college is the way out of her struggles with poverty.