About this book
From the author of You Should See Me in a Crown, Leah Johnson delivers a stunning novel about being brave enough to be true to yourself, and learning to find joy even when times are unimaginably dark. Olivia is an expert at falling in love . . . and at being dumped. But after the fallout from her last breakup has left her an outcast at school and at home, she’s determined to turn over a new leaf. A crush-free weekend at Farmland Music and Arts Festival with her best friend is just what she needs to get her mind off the senior year that awaits her. Toni is one week away from starting college, and it’s the last place she wants to be. Unsure about who she wants to become and still reeling in the wake of the loss of her musician-turned-roadie father, she’s heading back to the music festival that changed his life in hopes that following in his footsteps will help her find her own way forward. When the two arrive at Farmland, the last thing they expect is to realize that they’ll need to join forces in order to get what they’re searching for out of the weekend. As they work together, the festival becomes so much more complicated than they bargained for. Olivia and Toni will find that they need each other, and music, more than they ever could have imagined. Packed with irresistible romance and irrepressible heart, bestselling author Leah Johnson delivers a stunning and cinematic story about grief, love, and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.
Censorship history
In 2024, "Rise to the Sun" by Leah Johnson faced bans at the school level across various districts in the United States due to its LGBTQ+ content and themes related to race and colonialism. These challenges were part of a broader movement against books perceived to address issues of identity and social justice, often led by local parent-teacher associations and conservative advocacy groups. The bans were upheld in several districts, reflecting ongoing debates about educational content and representation in schools.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | LGBTQ+Racial |