And the Stars Were Burning Brightly

Oh what a beautiful, heartbreaking novel this was, every layer of it hugely authentic and genuinely devastating.

Nate has lost his brother to suicide- through the grief, anger and self blame he starts to dig into Al’s life in the hope of finding answers. Through this quest he meets Megan, mourning not only loss of life but the loss of chances- together, maybe, they’ll find a way to move on.

This was beautifully written, Nathans voice is quirky, honest and strong, taking the reader into his heart and into the heart of his lost brother. As the reality of Al’s struggle emerges it is horrifically sad and massively thought provoking, making you wish so many things about our world were different.

Ultimately though, Danielle Jawando manages to make this uplifting and hopeful – a story of loss and love and finding your place in a life now off kilter – where possibilities like the stars, burn brightly.

Simply wonderful. Highly Recommended.

Heartbreaking read - I really enjoyed the 2 perspectives, you really gets beautiful view of Al and the effect his death has brought on his friend and family. As the story went on, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know how this ended and I honestly was in tears when the reason comes out; simply devastating. Really brought home to me the effects bullying can have on a person, but also how cruel people can be. Beautifully written, haunting story - this one will stay with me for a long time. Thank you.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel!

This novel was one of my most anticipated reads for 2020 and man did it deliver. And the Stars were Burning Brightly is a book about Nathan and Meg who have to deal with the aftermath of Al's death. And while the plot may sound simple, it is anything but. The story is eloquently written and with so much heart. The characters are at the front of this story and every scene carries its weight. From a writer's perspective, this was just so amazingly written.

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.

I will say that this book can be difficult/triggering to read for some people so I would be careful if you are sensitive or in a bad place.

#BurnBright

3.5 stars
A touching, heartbreaking story about the nightmare that adolescence can be. This could not have been an easy book to write, particularly given the author’s own history. The story is told through the perspective of Nate, the dead boy’s brother, and Megan, his friend. What I loved were the tight, loving family that Nate lived in; equally, the storyline with the bullies was horrific. Jawando has captured the toxic world of social media-fuelled teen existence absolutely right. The only time I had to suspend disbelief was the fact that everything was on social media, yet the perpetrators thought they were safe as long as no one grassed.

The book starts off slow, and the twin perspectives are sometimes difficult to switch between, but it really picked up about half way through.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Just finished reading @DanielleJawando's 2020 debut #BurnBright & it reminded me of one of my fave of 2019 - @YasminwithanE's All the Things We Never Said #FindYourVoice @HotKeyBooks - Included it last year before it properly existed, it lived up to expectations. Both v powerful

I didn't include @DanielleJawando's The Stars Were Burning Brightly in my #BlackHistoryMonth thread coz I didn't have it, but I've now d/loaded it to read this #AntiBullyingWeek (thanks @hashtagreads #netgalley) so can include it here! #UKYA #BurnBright
https://t.co/MGBEIicHvk https://t.co/J4MihtTifk

This book holds such an important message and should be made an essential part of senior school reading. Most people have experienced some sort of bullying in their life, some more than others. What this story does is raises awareness and perhaps those that bully may think twice about it.

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.

Thank you for my early copy.

This was a brilliant depiction of mental health. It was heartbreakingly good--it took difficult themes and made it accessible to every reader. The stories are intertwined beautifully, and in the desperation of not wanting to give away spoilers, I will say that you will be giving away a part of yourself when reading this book.

Beautiful.
Set against a backdrop that many find less than pleasant, this story covers so many emotional highs and lows...and forces us to confront some pretty unpalatable truths about people.
Our main focus is Nathan, the younger brother of Al. Al was a straight A-grade student who killed himself. Nathan found him. Nathan is also having to come to terms with the guilt he feels over ignoring a call from his brother on the night he hung himself.
Alongside Nathan we have Megan, a friend of Al that few people knew about. They shared an Art class. They were close, but Megan didn’t feel able to go against her ‘cool’ friends and show Al that their friendship was important to her.
There’s no doubt this story just as I’ve recounted it would have made for a tough read. However, as Megan and Nathan become friends and start to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding Al’s last moments things move up a gear.
This book made me sad, so sad. It made me angry, unbelievably angry. But it also filled me with hope.
Thank you so much to Danielle Jawando for using her own personal situation to bring to life such a compelling read, and to NetGalley for letting me read it prior to publication.

And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is a powerful book about grief. It follows Nate, who is determined to find the reason for his brother Al's suicide. He's convinced that finding answers to all his questions is going to help him deal with his grief. The other main character in the novel is Megan, who is also dealing with grief after Al - her friend's - suicide. Convinced that she didn't do enough to appreciate Al while he was alive, Megan is determined to be a better friend to him now, and to keep his memory alive through the passion for art that they both shared.

Driven by Jawando's knack for voice-y prose and authentic dialogue, this novel is a timely and important look at cyber-bullying, mental health, coping with grief, and toxic friendships. Jawando does a brilliant job of balancing all of these themes with authentic characters who are easy to root for, and a plot that tugs at your heartstrings even as it keeps you turning the pages to find out the truth about what happened to Al.

The subject matter makes this book hard to read but it is worth it.

The book feels real and genuine and as a result, it was an emotional rollercoaster and I love it when books elicit real feelings when I’m reading them.

‘And the Stars were Burning Brightly’ was a very though provoking ready, it covered so many important aspects of life. It is an essential read for the current day!

Based on how many books I read a year, I’d say I’ve probably read more than 1000 books in my lifetime. A lot of books, right?

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.

I was lucky enough to hear Danielle talk about the book at Simon & Schuster’s #BigBookBrunch in December, and between the power of her writing and the heart-wrenching personal story behind the book, I immediately knew it was something I needed to read.

As mentioned in the author’s note, the book is inspired by events in Danielle’s own life, where she was bullied relentless throughout high school, culminating in a website being created and shared around her school year that was specifically designed to target her. This led to Danielle attempting suicide. Thankfully, she survived, and has channelled her own experiences into the book in the hopes that it might help someone else in a similar situation.

The book follows Nathan, a 15-year-old boy in Wythenshawe near Manchester, one of Europe’s largest council estates, as he recovers from his older brother, Al, committing suicide. Nathan was the one to find his brother, alongside a drawing of Al surrounded by faceless figures adorned only with the words ‘help me.’ Determined to find out what happened to his brother at all costs, Nathan retraces Al’s last steps and connects with Megan, Al’s closest friend, to try and get to the bottom of it.

Megan, however, is still struggling with the grief of losing her Father in a freak car accident, and losing Al brings her worst difficulties back to life. She’s also facing crisis point with her best friend, Tara, who she has known her whole life but who is starting to become a more manipulative and cruel influence on her life. Megan’s deepest source of shame comes from her relationship with Al – she felt like the time she spent with him was her only safe space, but she refused to acknowledge their friendship outside of their art classroom, even stepping aside as her friends bullied Al on several occasions.

Both characters are incredibly likeable, despite their flaws, and watching their individually journeys and the development of their relationships, is a joy, if painful at times. I found myself rooting for them the entire way through, even when I disagreed with their actions, and it’s a cathartic experience to watch them grow through the novel.

Each chapter opens with a short paragraph from Al, addressed at either Nathan or Megan, and this serves to really bring his character to life. Though he’s passed away before the book even begins, he feels like a fully fledged character and this only amplifies the sadness I felt at his loss.

The plot is well paced, nicely scattering character development and plot revelations to keep it moving along without ever feeling rushed or slow. It’s unflinching but searing in it’s portrayal of bullying, and to a large extent feels like it could be non-fiction, which is horrifying but also a rallying call to arms for all readers. I think it’s the kind of book that could really help some readers who might be struggling with similar situations of their own.

Overall, this is a fantastic addition to contemporary British YA from a very promising voice in the genre. It combines an honest look at bullying with a working class setting that just isn’t portrayed in fiction that often, and tugs at the heartstrings in its sheer sincerity and heart. I would definitely advise caution for some readers as it tackles heavily themes of bullying and suicide, but I would wholeheartedly recommend!

This is one of the few UKYA books I've read recently. Therefore, it felt really refreshing to read something set in the UK that felt very realistic. I loved how this book portrayed UK teenagers because it just felt so perfect. Overall, this book was absolutely amazing. It was equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful. It's been a while since I read a book focused on suicide but this is already one of my favourites on the topic. Most books that deal with this subject matter are based on placing the blame on certain people but this book dealt with how there are so many things that can add up and lead to someone ending their life. The bullying in this book made me so mad and angry but it actually happens to people. Reading the author's note and knowing that she faced similar issues as a teen, makes the book even more heartbreaking. I can't wait for this book to come out because I think it has the potential to change someone's life.

It took me a while to work up the emotional courage to read this book and it was every bit as devastating as I thought it would be, but it was also incredibly beautiful.
It deals unflinchingly with grief, suicide, bullying and guilt. It forces us to look at ourselves and admit that we have all been guilty of ignoring things we knew were wrong. It reminds us how powerful and hurtful words can be, and how fragile our mental wellbeing really is when faced with trauma.
Yet somehow, despite this incredibly heavy subject matter, Jawando still manages to retain messages of hope, redemption and fresh starts.
Nathan reminded me of so many boys I teach, who have never learned to handle their emotions in a healthy way and so resort to anger and self-blame. I think this book would be invaluable for them, in fact I think a book like this might well be the difference between someone seeking help and someone cracking under the pressure.
Megan also felt incredibly real and provided a wonderful example of positive mental care. I loved her growth throughout the text.
I think this book is important. Read it.

I cried solidly through the last half of this book. It's such a powerful and important book that all teenagers should read to highlight the dangers of bullying. It will be recommending it to all the students I teach.

Oh what a beautiful, sad, moving piece of writing.
It covers a difficult subject that is so important to understand, the damage that bullying can cause is immense, the suffering horrific.
This book will make you cry and make you angry but it will also fill you with hope for all the love that does exist.
It should be read by all school children.

I thought this was a hard read but a necessary and brilliantly written story. I very much appreciated the author's letter at the beginning and the end, and the links included at the back of the book. Crucially important to talk more about mental health, especially young male mental health, and suicide prevention. This author is such a talent and this is a very special book.

A YA novel set in Wythenshawe in Manchester, it tells the story of Al and Nate and Megan, and what happens when Al kills himself after a campaign of vicious bullying at his school. That's not a spoiler, by the way. This isn't about the moment of Al's death, but about his life, and his relationships. It's about what happens when something makes a life go so badly wrong that there seems to be no way out. I went through a period of being bullied at school, and I can only imagine how much worse that would have been with social media. And The Stars paints a dark vision of life today as faced by a young person. At times there's a touch of Lord of the Flies about it. But there's hope as well, and love. A difficult read, but who said books should be easy?

A heartbreaking read, but also manages to be uplifting and full of hope. A very emotional read, beautifully written, deals with loss and love in such sensitive and well handled way. A must read and much needed book, not just for YA but all readers. Highly recommended

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

This is a very powerful book which I found quite disturbing. It deals with the power of social media and the internet on our actions and the impact it has on the ‘victim’. It makes you question why you do things and how far you will go to not stand out or up for what is right. It made me as an adult think and I hope it might make it’s younger audience think about the impact of social media on their actions and thinking.

A frightening book in some ways but obviously from the author’s experience realistic. It makes me glad I am not growing up in the current toxic environment.

I will not be able to put it on my library shelves because of the language - it fits the story but is too strong for my readers. A pity as it is an important book.

This book really deserves 2 separate reviews; one of the story itself and one of the profound effect the background to the story will have on the reader.

Al commits suicide and no-one knows why but he leaves behind a devastated family of whom his brother Nate is determined to find out the truth.
Written mainly from the perspective of Nate but with paragraphs from Al at the beginning of each chapter he book delves deep into both the feelings of Al and also those he left behind. As the truth reveals itself the full horror of "social" media bullying is brought to the forefront
Bullies have always existed but at least in my day they could only bully you in person...the advent of a myriad of ways to target young people via the use of media is horrifying as are the consequences.
The story itself is so well written. It captures the voice and experience of the teenagers involved and brings each and every character to life. The well known pressures faced by teens on how to look, how to behave, what to think and who to be friends with are all captured across the characters with plenty of posturing hiding the real emotions of the girls in particular.
The background to the story is heartbreaking. Bullying by social media is an extremely distressing concept for any parent as it is so completely out of any control they may have in terms of getting things removed from sites and the heavy reliance of young people on the varying platforms to maintain their own presence and status is frightening.
The author is extremely brave in revealing that the book is written from personal experience and I hope that reading it will change the viewpoint of teenagers on all sides of the social divides and make them think a little harder about what they do, share and comment on.

What an incredibly moving novel. Al commits suicide leaving behind a bewildered family, including his brother Nate, who sets out to try to understand why. We hear from both boys, and the story is truly heartbreaking at times as it delves into social media bullying, never being free of it, constantly harassed wherever you are. A timely story that will stay with me.

And the Stars were Burning Brightly by Danielle Jawando is a devastating read! Initially I struggled with the vocabulary, culture and time of the narrative. Once you get past the urban “youth speak” however, you are into a twisted story of desolate loss and cruelty, told in a very insightful way. Nate and Megan go through a traumatic and life changing experience after losing Al and their awakening to the impact of the social media and “belonging” culture is powerful and tragic yet ultimately inspires hope. This is such a vitally important subject with stark messages for friends and peers to be brave and live their “best Al’s life”. The overall topic and the unfolding of the extent of Al’s struggle is a message that needs to be heard. Perhaps this is one for the social studies curriculum in our schools (and even, dare I suggest it, our workplaces).

#BurnBright #NetGalley

You must read this book!
The book is based on the experiences of the author. It tells the story of Al a grade A student in his final year at school. He is planning for university when he starts to encounter peer-related difficulties. At one stage he states "All I could think about was that hole in my photo. And I stopped drawing myself after that, maybe I didn't deserve to be seen"

This book is for teenagers but parents, teachers and anyone who works with young people should read it to see the immense pressures peer issues and social media have on young people. We must always remember to let them know support is available and hope is implicit.

This is a beautiful, emotional book that explores those left behind following a teenagers suicide.
What happened that made Al feel like the only way out was death? Following the stories of Nate (Al’s younger brother) who found Al and his friend Megan. The author cleverly alternates between both characters interweaving Al’s story as she goes.
This book explores how teenagers feel forced to behave a certain way for fear of not fitting in and how social media means they feel they are never left alone! Very thought provoking.
This is my 1st book by this author but I will most certainly be looking for others.
Thanks go to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review

A beautiful read on a not so easy subject. Al committed suicide, he’s brother who found him needs to know why. He sets out a journey to find the truth. The books narrative is brilliant, swapping between Nate and Al’s friend Megan and their story’s of what Al brought to there lives. I think this is a beautifully sad story of how teenage suicide can hurt everyone invoked and how the pressures of social media and fitting in can turns peoples lives upside down.

Another day, another book, and what a book!
Al was a talented artist. He was going places. An offer for Cambridge University, the support of his family and teachers. Then it all ends.
Nate is trying to cope with the loss of his older brother, Al, through suicide. Why did he do it? He had so much to live for.
Megan feels guilty. Why did she not spot the signs within her weird friend, Al? A behind closed doors friendship she was ashamed to acknowledge in front of others, until it is too late.
Nate and Megan tread a path, tentatively, together, to discover the truth, uncovering hate, social media and cyber bullying.
This debut by Danielle Jawando is harrowing and heart wrenching. A book that should be read by all young adults. Words are not always simply words. Banter is not always just banter. Words and banter can hurt.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow, what a beautiful book.

Burn Bright is one of those rare books that is profound and accessible in equal measures. Jawando addresses some important and hard-hitting issues with heartbreaking honesty - you can practically feel the emotion bleeding off the pages. There is no romanticising or overly poetic prose here - you can tell that Jawando is writing straight from the heart.

Nate and Megan are very different protagonists, but they are both likeable in their own way. Jawando has a real knack for authentic dialogue, and her use of dual narratives really brings the storytelling to life. Al's words, interwoven throughout, act as a poignant hinge for each new chapter.

Devastating and brilliant, Burn Bright is a must-read UKYA for 2020.

What a powerful book. Bullying has been around schools forever. The victims are meant to live with it while the bullies are '"ust having a laugh." "Doesn' t mean anything" "Don't be so sensitive, it's just banter!" But words can hurt as much as physical blows especially when it's relentless.
In today's social media life, this is played out on social media meaning that there is no escape for the victim.
This is a story about how Nathan and Megan try to come to terms with the suicide of Nathan's brother, Al. As Nathan searches for why Al took his life, we discover why bullying happens, and why the sideliners let it happen, not joining in but thinking it's OK to watch, record and upload videos of the bullying.
If it's happening to you, tell someone. Don't keep it to yourself.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 heartbreaking stars

This was such a well written book, the jargonistic and slang language used, really told the story from the hearts and minds of the main characters.

It’s such a tragic tale of what young people face these days and the devastating impact it can have on their lives.

A book like this should be on school curriculums to help young people see the damage that can be done.

This is a book about mental health, bullying & teenage suicide so please be aware before you start reading as it will emotionally affect you.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children’s books for the free eARC of this book.
TRIGGER Warnings for Suicide and Bullying.
So with these trigger warnings the subject matters in this book are not the easiest to read about. It’s raw and honest and kinda brutal in some ways. However I really enjoyed this book! I loved getting to know the characters and their relationship and how they were dealing with really difficult circumstances. It flowed well and I enjoyed shorter chapters. Anyone not from the UK might take a little while to get used to the dialogue but I think it really adds to the realness of the story.
There’s a lot of hope in this book, and just being aware of the trigger warnings I would definitely recommend it to others. Publication date is the 9th of March 2020 so add this one to your TBR guys.

Wow! This book is so relevant, it was beautifully written, with the memories & the reactions of both Nathan & Megan. To take something that must have been very traumatic and bring it to life so wonderfully, to help others. I think this is a book that should be part of the school curriculum. To make people realise that words do hurt, that there is always hope & that suicide is not always the only option. I am blown away and I think this is one of those books that is going to forever stay with me. I will be recommending my children read this when they are older. Danielle - you should be so proud, you are amazing.

I feel like And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is one of those books which should be essential reading for every teenager growing up in this current generation, but can be read by any age group as it tells such a vital, timely and devastating story. The book follows Nathan, as he deals with the suicide of his older brother Al and the subsequent questions and trauma that follows. While the rest of his family are grieving and dealing in their own way, Nathan grows more and more troubled by what led up to his brothers death and what could have been going on to lead him to take his own life.

This book is honestly one of the most heartbreaking stories I have read and is so deeply honest and raw. Danielle Jawando has managed to portray so many serious topics with such grace and power, allowing the reader to really connect with the story and characters. I’d also like to mention that the novel is very much inspired by the authors own life and experiences as a young person going through a very difficult time. I think it’s so admirable that she has chosen to put this experience into her novel and has the courage to do so. I’m certain this will help others who might be in a dark place and show them that there is still hope and light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. I really loved that there were mental health resources listed at the end as well.

The novel is told in dual perspective, so we follow both Nathan and Megan as they deal with the loss of Al and finding out the truth of what he was going through. I thought this was such a good choice as it allowed us to see exactly how both the characters were dealing with their overwhelming grief and guilt as well as the unique relationships they had with Al, as one was a family member and other, his best friend. It’s so clear throughout the novel just how much they loved Al and how special he was to them both, which makes what happens all the more gut wrenching. The relationships between the characters feel so true and I loved the bonds between Nathan and the rest of his family too.

As well as the dual perspectives, I thought the way in which the novel was written also added a lot. The majority of the characters we encounter in this novel are teenagers, and they talk, act and behave like teenagers and it was such an authentic portrayal in many ways. They use slang, they swear, they make mistakes – which is reflected in the text which again made it feel more authentic to me. Too often I think we hold teenagers to impossible standards, so it was refreshing to see a portrayal of teen characters which felt honest and allowed them to feel how they felt without a judgemental tone.

Tying in with the authentic element, I think Jawando managed to capture the toxic and harmful side to Social Media and the very real impact of it so well in this novel. Ranging from the negative comments to the sharing of private photos, to abusive videos going viral with endless trolling. There’s a real spectrum of all the nasty side of the internet and social networking apps depicted here and how they can be misused. I think she also captures how pervasive this abuse can be and how it’s not just a ‘joke’ as so many of the characters in the novel try to say in order to shift blame from themselves for contributing to Als fragile state of mind. On the flip side, Jawando shows how social media can be a source of good towards the end of the novel when Megan starts the hashtag #BurnBright and people use it to celebrate Als art and talent.

While the book is serious in nature given the subject matter, it also has moments which are more uplifting and hopeful as well, which is reinforced by how the novel ends. Al was such a bright and amazing person and deserved so much more in life than what he got, but through his loss, those around him come to key realisations about how they want to live as well. Prior to Als death, Nathan didn’t have any direction or hope about his future, assuming he wouldn’t amount to anything due to his lack of background and peoples perceptions of him as a young black man. Megan too had low confidence in her abilities as an artist and had a toxic friendship which was sapping her energy. However, through their shared loss, both these characters are inspired by Al and their love for him to live life on their own terms and move forward the way he would have wanted them to.

Overall, And The Stars Were Burning Brightly was an insightful and powerful story which will definitely touch a lot of readers with it’s depiction of suicide and the far reaching impacts of bullying. Above all however, this is a story of lost potential and the realities of dealing with such an immeasurable loss but finding hope and the strength to go on despite it all. I think Als hashtag says it best, Burn Bright.

AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY is the kind of book you do need a snapshot of insight into before you enter, in this case I do recommend reading the blurb. This is a story about suicide, grief, bullying and social media. It is powerful and painful, chilling and stunning. I think it’s a really important book and it’s 100% worth the emotional investment.

The book started and ended with an author note, I had the privilidge of hearing the author read the beginning note and the first chapter at a publisher event. There wasn’t a whisper in the room and I fought tears listening to her. The reading experience is pretty much like that, the story and the characters plunged me into their worlds, wrapped me up in their fraught emotions and spat me out a bit of wreck.

Nathan was the brother, grieving his older sibling and questioning everything; he needed the why to these events, some reason and he was determined. Alongside Nathan were family, other siblings, his mother, his friend, Al’s friend Megan and some nasty characters. This was a intricately woven story, where as the reader you were alongside Nathan, searching for answers.

“My chest goes all tight, knowing that I’ll never see him for real again, that he’ll only ever be this person in a photo.”

Eli’s character was tangibly written, believable in his cruel manipulations and plain bullying. Tara and Lewi were more subtle in their connections to the situation and how events finally wove together was pretty shocking. Social media was the weapon wielded in this book and some of the elements took my breath away.

The picture of grief was palpable, I could feel the anger, despair and sadness rising out of the pages, I’m not an easy crier at books but I was an easy crier at this book. Nathan’s emotions had the power to affect me deeply as did Al’s short chapter starters.

For me, as a Mancunian, this book was gift in dialogue and narrative. It was written as Mancunians speak, quite literally and I found it easy to sink into. I don’t think this element will be difficult for any other readers, but you might wonder for the first few pages as you settle into this.

Danielle Jawando captured the issues in this book with honesty, she didn’t hold back on the difficult stuff, this was an absolute strength of this book. These issues shouldn’t be diluted to make it more palatable, your heart should break as you navigate this with the characters. I am beyond impressed with this fictional debut and I will be watching avidly for more from this author.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this early review copy.

How do I begin to describe how much I loved this book! It is such a beautiful, heartbreaking story that really has left me with tears rolling down my cheeks.
This is in no way an easy read, it talks about loss, suicide, bullying and the impacts of social media in teenagers lives.
I would advise that if you are in a fragile state of mind at the moment, not to read this yet as it may trigger you. Otherwise this is a must read for everyone no matter what age.

The book is about 15 year old Nathan whose 17 year old brother Al took his own life. Al was going places, he was a talented artist who was soon to be studying at Cambridge University.
Nathan wants to work out why his brother would take such drastic measures without asking him for help. Nathan has to deal with all kinds of emotions such as guilt, anger, despair and grief to try to try to understand why Al did it. He meets Al’s friend from school Megan who too wants to find out what happened and is desperate to keep Al’s memory alive. The book switches between Megan and Nathan’s POV. There is at the start of each chapter a short monologue from Al which was written so beautifully that you will want to keep rereading each passage over and over again.

The amazing author, Danielle Jawando was bullied at school and attempted suicide. She has written this book to pass on hope that things can get better and to stop the stigma surrounding mental health. This powerful, thought provoking story most definitely should be given to all children in High School as it shows you the severe consequences bullying can do to peoples lives and how “only banter” can leave people in a very dark place.

I think I will be thinking about this book for a very long time and this most definitely should be a major seller!!!

Written for young adults, but a book that should be read by everyone, this shows how dangerous social media really is.
I have 2 small children and can't contemplate giving them any access to things like insta, fb etc until policies are put in place to stop things like what happened to Al (and Danielle after reading the authors note)
Such a powerful and thought provoking tale told through the voices of Nate, Megan and Al which was a really good touch.
This had me up well into the early hours, will stay with me forever and will be recommended to everyone.

******TW Suicide, bullying, self harm, abuse*********

Nate is a 15 year old boy living just outside Manchester City centre and trying to fit in at school when her world is torn apart. He comes home one day to find his brother Al has  committed suicide, Nate blames himself for not being there, for not noticing, and ultimately not being a better friend to his big brother. However he finds things from his brother that Nate knows was Al's was of saying something was wrong, his version of a suicide note and so is determined to piece them all together to figure out why.

Along the way he meets Megan, Al's friend from Art class. Megan is dealing with her own guilt for not being a better friend to Al, as well as the reappearance of feelings from when her dad died and her best friend Tara being more interested in Elis who's nothing but bad news. However, her and Nate soon become friends and get comfort from the fact they can both remember Al and knew the real him.

This was a heartbreaking, though provoking, beautiful story about some horrible issues but which are so relevant today.

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. 

I would definitely recommend this book to all teenagers, to read about what can happen, or could be happening around you. Also the importance of saying something if something is happening which you know isn't right.

Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al’s footsteps. He starts seeking answers but will he be able to handle the truth about Al’s death when he eventually discovers what happened?"

Having read AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY in October, I've been sitting with it for a while. Partially because I felt it was important not to rush to review, & partially because I was entirely in my feelings. I had just watched the new season of TOP BOY (Ats' storyline was mirroring my work life in ways I wasn't prepared for) & as an educator the pairing of TOP BOY & STARS gave me lot to think about. I teach lots of Nathans & I have taught many Als. Our education system fails boys like them every day. The dismissed bad boys & the overlooked good boys. Nathan's narration allows us to see beyond the behaviour he exhibits, past his rage & coldness, through to his pain & vulnerability. Each chapter also starts with a vignette of Al's perspective; this is genius & you'll see why. Megan's voice highlights that empathy isn't enough if it's not paired with action.

For me, this novel sits perfectly alongside Jennifer Niven & Jandy Nelson - weighty storytelling communicated through poignant prose - yet it's distinctly British. It's gripping & moving with a dynamic plot & characters you care about. As someone who isn't from Manchester, I enjoyed the mancunian setting details Danielle weaves into her writing as much as I love encountering specific corners of Brixton market or roads in Stockwell in the novels I read.

It's unsurprising that Melvin Burgess has written a blurb for this book because in writing STARS, Danielle has written within a tradition of authors who understand that if teenagers can live through certain experiences, they are also capable of reading & deserve the opportunity to read about them too. A lack of censorship does not have to mean a lack of care. Buy this for your classrooms & your libraries. Read the author's letter.

What a powerful and intense book this is. It is a very topical and timely book written for young adults but should be read by everyone, if only to remind ourselves to be kinder. It deals with teenage suicide, grief, guilt and bullying and it will play on every emotion you possess.
The story weaves between Nate, who found his brother Al's body and Megan, Al's friend. We learn what Al's death means to his family and his peer group and how they deal with it. As is so often the case Nate cannot understand why his brother, a straight A student and a brilliant artist would choose to end his life. The search for the truth that follows is a difficult and often harrowing journey for them both. Danielle Jawanda expertly uses her own experiences as she shows us the ugly side of social media, the uncertainty of todays youth and the continual quest to fit in and not to be seen as different.
And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is ultimately a book about hope....and acceptance. Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publishers and Danielle Jawando for allowing me to read and recommend this well written novel.
#BurnBright

DANIELLE JAWANDO – AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY

I read this novel in advance of publication through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is an appalling story. Because although it is fiction, it is a fictionalized version of truth. A truth that the talented young author of this novel went through herself.

The story concerns Al, who as the story opens has killed himself, and is written alternately by Nathan, one of his brothers, trying to make sense of his death and discover what drove such a talented young person to make such a decision, and by Megan, a girl Al befriends, who shared his passion for art, and their coming together, joined as they are by their anger and grief.

Coming at a time when the papers have been full of the suicide of tragic Caroline Flack, this story seems even more relevant. It makes me wonder how many more young lives will be lost (currently 4400 a year) or made miserable, before people wake up to the potential dangers of Facebook et al, and the ruthless and cowardly bullying that takes place within its pages. And, perhaps even worse, how friends, not wanting to be singled out for similar treatment themselves, go along with this obscene bullying, by their likes and emojis and thoughtlessly cruel comments.

University research has shown that people who expose themselves frequently to social media sites are unhappier than those who don’t. And if this is anything to go by, small wonder. Even women I know who are in their twenties and thirties pout and pose and filter their images so much that you wouldn’t recognise them if you passed them in the street. This obsession of how people ‘should’ look, which in reality is to compare yourself to a photoshopped fiction of whichever celebrity happens to be your icon, is so sad. Sad that life has become such that people can’t be happy with who they are.

Though this makes for very upsetting reading, this is a book every school library should stock in droves, and every parent should read. It is that important.

"You know, for a star to be born, there's one thing that has to happen: a gaseous nebula must collapse. The star must compress in on itself, the atoms must squeeze and react before they can create something new. So collapse, crumble, and remember this is not your destruction. This is your birth."

This book. Everything about this book is magical and perfect, in the most heartbreaking way.
The entire thing feels SO real, I felt like I was about to open up Twitter and see stories of Al, to just bump into Megan in a shopping centre, I think this realness is explained in the author acknowledgements, Al's story could have quite easily been Danielle Jawando's story and there is something SO powerful about that.

The book deals with a suicide of 15 year Al, of his family, of his friend, of love, of enemies, of that moment that I'm sure we all felt as teenagers, where you have to decide to stick up for what you know is right or for going along with the cool crowd. It really is a horrible horrible story and subject and I think I cried through more chapters than I didn't but there's this hope, throughout the whole thing, that just keeps you going. It's so hard to describe. I do know that there are all these things that I want to take away from it.: I want to be as resilient as Saul. I want to be as strong as Megan. I want to be more Al.

I've never read anything like it and I don't think there is another book that is quite like this one. I loved it., truly truly loved it. #burnbright,

This will surely prove to be one of the most important books of the year. It certainly ought to be.

Danielle Jawando has beautifully channelled her own trials as a teenager into a heartbreaking book for the teens of today. Her perfect understanding of the risks of social media in the 2020s make it relatable and believable.

And yet, amongst the horror and heartbreak, there is hope. There is a way through, a way out, and no limit to what you can accomplish.

Danielle Jawando also manages to bring in character growth in the form of owning up to your true self, moving away from toxicity and bad self-image but in a way that feels natural, not preachy. There have always been standards set by a select few that the rest of the world uses to judge themselves with. However, the prevalence of social media and the was our lives our so connected means these standards are reinforced to everyone day in, day out. Some excellent people are pushing forward with body positivity movements, mental health awareness, belief in one's own value, and every single thing we can do the combat this toxicity is valuable. And the Stars Were Burning Brightly is an important part of that movement.

I often have difficulties writing reviews but this one wrote itself. I didn't need time to think I just had to sing praises for a transformative story.

Wow, what a moving and poignant novel for our times. It had me from the very start - the story is told from two perspectives Nathan and Megan. It evoked so many feelings of deep aching sadness, anger and a little hope. A well constructed novel and written from the heart. Make sure you have some tissues at hand as it is certainly a book that will make you cry from the very start! I will be buying this book for my library and share it with as many young people as possible - highlighting the very real dangers of social media. However, it not a book just for young adults but a book that everyone should read. Well done Danielle for bringing this to our attention.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This was a powerful story, and so necessary when children and teenagers are now subjected to online abuse on a regular basis. The characters were very identifiable and I'm sure young people reading this book would see themselves. The one thing that rankled me slightly was the way the dialect was written, but that may be a personal preference. The story itself was clear and engaging, and I can't wait to see what Jawando does next.

When fifteen-year-old Nathan discovers that his older brother Al, has taken his own life, his whole world is torn apart.

Al was special.

Al was talented.

Al had so many dreams ... so why did he do it?

Convinced that his brother was in trouble, Nathan decides to retrace Al’s footsteps. As he does, he meets Megan, Al's former classmate, who is as determined as Nathan to keep Al's memory alive.

Together they start seeking answers, but will either of them be able to handle the truth about Al’s death when they eventually discover what happened?

I loved this book from the beginning. It helped that I know the area where Al and Nate lived, so it became very relatable.

This is a heart breaking book. It one which should be read by every teenager as a lot of them think that it is “just a laugh” to bully people without a thought for their mental health. I went through every emotion, happiness, joy, sadness, despair, anger, shock etc, the list is endless. As with any good book, the characters become very real and you feel each of their emotions so I wanted to hug them, shout, scream, slap and yell at them. To me, the sign of a great book that you become so embroiled with their lives and stories, you forget they aren’t real!

An absolutely brilliant book.

I was lucky enough to be given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a rollercoaster of a book this is. Nate has lost his brother Al, who committed suicide. This just doesn't make sense to Nate, he can't understand how he didn't know that his brother was struggling, he sincerely felt he had everything to live for. He was talented, smart, unique and going places, he had dreams and aspirations. Nate tries to uncover what provoked his brother to end his life. Prepare to be wrung out reading this, get yourself a comfy spot, a box of tissues and put your phone on silent. It is epic! Think Wonder with attitude and the gritty backdrop of northern England. It is heart-wrenching, honest and every teen should be made to read it. It unashamedly tackles suicide, but also isn't afraid to tackle other issues too (like watching events escalate and not saying anything), I am sure we have all been guilty of this. Please be sure to read the author's notes too, so honest, well done Danielle for having to courage to write this story. I hope with all my heart that this books gains the recognition it so surely deserves.

15 year old Nathan’s life is torn about when he finds out his big brother Al has taken his own life. Al was a talented young man who was so full of passion, and Nathan wonders why he would have done this? Convinced Al was in trouble, Nathan begins to investigate meeting Al’s former classmate Megan on his quest, who like Nathan wants to keep Al’s memory alive. However, when Nathan eventually finds out the truth, sparks are set to fly.

And the Stars Were Burning Brightly, firstly, was a gritty, emotion packed, heartwrenching read that did tug at my heartstrings several times throughout my time reading it. It did, you could say take me on an emotional rollercoaster ride, one where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get off or not. It was so beautifully written and I did find myself hypnotised by the almost poetic like prose.

The way the story was told really resonated with me, and I found it to be a rather unique way to telling such a harrowing tale. We see the story through the point of views of Nathan, Al’s brother and Megan, Al’s friend and former classmate. I really enjoyed how we got the differing views from Nathan, who used violence and anger to show his grief and Megan, who used Al’s memory to change her life and create something amazing. The contrast between these two characters was utterly remarkable and the voices of both characters seemed so vivid and lifelike. What I also found interesting was the sections at the start of each chapter in Al’s voice. This helped me to understand him as a character a lot more, and they were probably some of my favourite bits of writing from the whole book. The plot, also kept me on my toes and every time I guessed the conclusion, something would happen to change my mind. When I did get to the end, I was, as you can guess, in great shock.

The subject matter within And the Stars Were Burning Brightly is rather heavy, especially the topics of suicide and bullying. I’ll admit that some scenes are quite troubling to read, but they bring to life the fact that this does happen in real life and I commend the author for bringing these topics to our attention. The way that the dark side of social media was perceived was also commendable and it really did get me thinking about how despite how good social media can be, it can be very distressing for some people to use with regards to online bullying etc.

And the Stars Were Burning Brightly was an emotional, moving read that really did touch me. The way it brought topics such as suicide, mental health and online bullying to the forefront was inspiring and I can honestly say, it will stick with me.

It’s been a strange time to read And The Stars Were Burning Brightly, a book about suicide in England. While February got incrementally weirder with Brexit, Coronavirus and the tragic passing of Caroline Flack, I could be found hiding away from the world with a cup of tea and Danielle Jawando’s latest young adult novel about the suicide of a brilliant and beloved straight-A student.

Nathan’s brother Al has committed suicide. There was no warning and the only note, if you can call it that, was a drawing of Al surrounded by ominous, threatening figures while he desperately cries for help. For Al was everything to those who knew him: a talented artist, an older brother, a kind friend and a fascinated star-gazer who could tell you any one of a million factoids about space and the universe.

Yet while Al’s gaze was focused on the skies, his world was falling apart around him.

Nathan’s shock at the death of his brother knows no beginning and no end. He can’t begin to understand the reasons why but as he works through his own guilt surrounding Al’s suicide, he becomes determined to find out the reason why.

Megan was one of Al’s closest friends but you wouldn’t know it given how rarely they were seen together in public. As Megan reaches out in the wake of her grief, she finds herself in Nathan’s orbit and his search for the truth.

In a book that explores the devastation of suicide, the depths of grief, the complexity of being an LGBTIQ teen, the trickiness of social media and the ever-present scourge of bullying, there is also time for beauty and wonder as we discover Al’s writing about the universe, stars, hope and his love of art.

And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is set in Manchester, and the reader is ”proper” aware of this as Jawando has captured the local accent perfectly. I grew up not far from Manchester in Rainhill and the characters could be my cousins. While this certainly made the book feel closer to my heart, it is the source of my only (minor) complaint about the novel being the abundance of “wot” and “cos” on the pages. It’s something we see more in British YA novels than American or other countries but I definitely prefer to see proper words.

It won’t impact my rating though because I was crying big, ugly tears on a train to London as I finished this book last Saturday.

And The Stars Were Burning Brightly is a beautiful novel with lyrical writing. Despite its heavy subject matter, Jawando has captured perfectly that moment when the clouds begin to part on grief and we let life back in. It definitely made me want to grab all my loved ones and hold them close to my heart because you never know when tragedy is around the corner.

I give And The Stars Were Burning Brightly a superb five out of five stars and recommend to fans of superior British young adult fiction.

Thank you very much for this wonderful read NetGalley.

This is a story about love, loss, family and friends. I loved that it was set in Manchester and I already knew of many of the places mentioned. Although I've never been keen on writing a dialect with an accent.

I love that each chapter starts with a note from Al to either Nate or Megan with links into what happens in the chapter.

I was sad to hear that this was based on what the author has to go through during her time at school and although I was never bullied to that extent it certainly brought some feelings back. It's also made me think of my friend's suicide in a different way and that's a good thing.

I would certainly recommend this book not just to YA readers but I think a lot of school aged children as it shows that all actions have consequences.

This book was absolutely beautiful. It portrayed the emotion of family and friends trying to come to terms with the loss of a loved one through suicide so eloquently. Dealing with issues such as bullying, peer pressure and the pressure of social media, the book really made me think. Highly recommended.

Such a sad book but one everyone should read. I think it is the type of story that should be put into the curriculum of high schools and all students should read and maybe some (I guess not all) would get the measure of how terrible bullying is. The story is about Nathan whose brother committed suicide due to bullying and the secret Al kept to himself until he could no longer cope. Nathan needs to find out why Al committed suicide and he is especially traumatised as his brother tried to ring him and he ignored the call. It leads him down a road where he meets Megan who was also a friend of Al who shared the love of art. The story unfolds slowly so you can appreciate the characters and their interwoven lives but no one realises the hurt Al is in which is something we all fail to do on some level. Nathan needs to find out the whole story of Al’s suicide and the culminates in him finding the outcome – does it help him, probably not but brings some piece. Megan is sweet natured and caring and helps Nathan come to terms with his loss. Nathan’s family play a big part in the story and try to help him but he is too far into his grief to understand. The story ends well. It helped to understand the depth of hurt in the story from the author’s notes and she has written this from experience which I wish she had not suffered

If I wasn't sobbing by the end of 'And the Stars Were Burning Brightly' then I definitely was by the end of the author's note. This is such a powerful book and focuses on a topic that we desperately need to talk more about. It is 100% a book that you need to be in the right place to read as there is a lot of trigger warnings but it is done brilliantly.