My Favorite Star

has to be sun, right?  I mean, without the sun, what would we do?  We wouldn't do anything, we'd all be dead.
That has nothing to do with The Sun is Also a Star.  I can't remember why this title fits.  I mean, I can't figure out the reason for the title.  The fact is mentioned in the book.  Natasha is fond of "provable facts" and really doesn't want to have faith or trust in anything that is not a "provable fact."  Whereas Daniel believes dreams are important, that passion is important, that feelings are important.
And girl meets boy and they fall in love.
But the book is more than just boy meets girl and they fall in love.  It is really beautiful.  It is really moving.  It is really well written.  This is my favorite for the Printz this year.  Will it win?  Probably not, but I would like it to win!

I'll Fly Away....

Another great song.  Bird was a pretty beautiful book.  I was listening to it at the same time that I was reading Nightingale's Nest though, and that was a pretty dumb thing to do for me.   Both books are beautiful and powerful and really should have been given their own time in my mind and imagination.  I gave four stars to Bird but now that I look back on it, I think I am going to change it.  There is a lot going on here.  Grief.  Culture.  Intergenerational stuff.  This was a heavy, beautiful book.  Yes, I am going to change it to five stars.
Jewel is of Mexican and Jamaican descent and that figures into the story.
One thing I just can't believe about Bird is that this is Crystal Chan's first book.  Unreal.  Now I know that she probably has been writing for a long time.  But man, a first time author putting out a beauty like this?  If 2015 isn't 1954, Bird will be named as an Honor for sure.  Oh, also, I have to say I loved, loved, loved, loved Jewel's dad and her grandfather.  Chan really knows how to paint a soul with words.  Excellent.