Throughout the story, despite the difficult subject matter, there is a really powerful message about hope and learning to embrace individuality. Was this intentional from the start? And the Stars Were Burning Brightly is a tragic and emotional story about a 17-year-old boy called Al, unexpectedly dying by suicide and leaving his family to cope with the traumatic aftermath. The story is told from the perspective of Nathan, Al’s younger brother, and Megan, who was Al’s only friend.

This stunning debut is haunting, upsetting, raw, brilliant, astute and devastating in equal measure. And the Stars Were Burning Brightly is a beautifully written story about suicide, the perils of social media, bullying, mental health, homophobia and so much more. Every single one of the characters is totally believable as is every single situation they find themselves in. LoveReading4Kids exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading4Kids means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. Warning - this novel contains themes that some readers may find upsetting, including suicide and intense bullying. The book also starts with a message from the author who explains that she was Al once and couldn't see a way out which makes the book all the more hard hitting. It is written from both Megan and Nates points of view with a short section at the start of each chapter from Al which really helps you to understand all the characters.Beyond the investigation and processing of Al’s death, Nathan and Megan have to continue to face everything a teenager does. Nathan butts heads with his older brother, has to deal with school bullies, familial expectations and opening up. Megan struggles with her supposed best friend changing into someone who is cruel to her; she reflects on who she is as a person, how her social media presence reflects that and why the teenagers around her buy into the version of self that is forced upon them by adult beauty brands and celebrity influencers online.

Al’s world view, as shared by excerpts of his thoughts included at the start of each chapter, is hopeful and considered. He encompasses vuja de, the idea of being able to see the same thing, something ordinary, over and over again, then finding a new perspective. He teaches Nathan and Megan to look around them and really see what is there, to find the beauty in what others don’t. This becomes his motif and is showcased in his artworks – even their descriptions alone make you see and feel what is being inspired. Less than 10 of those books have made me cry and it’s been a while since my last bookish weep. That was, until I read And The Stars Were Burning Brightly, a beautifully moving exploration of grief from debut YA author Danielle Jawando. Megan is a beautiful character. One of Al's only friends in school, she struggles to understand why he took his own life and wants to celebrate it by putting on an art exhibition of Al's works, and does this whilst coping with her utter confusion over the actions of her so-called best friend Tara. Megan and Nathan's relationship is tender, perfectly paced and beautifully realised.Written for young adults, but a book that should be read by everyone, this shows how dangerous social media really is. A frightening book in some ways but obviously from the author’s experience realistic. It makes I think this story will definitely open a lot of eyes and I think this needs to be read by every young person. Al's story is not only important but something that happens to a lot of people. This book made me so angry and sad but I'm so happy that I read it because it just further reinstates the notion that books like this one need to exist. This is a masterpiece. Elegantly written. I will be buying a copy to put away for when my young children are old enough to understand. It’s been three days since Al killed himself. Three days since Nathan found his older brother’s body. Three days since he hid Al’s drawing with its desperate scribbled note: ‘Help me.’ Nate is certain there has to be more to his brother’s suicide than meets the eye, and he’s determined to get to the bottom of it. My Thoughts