§Author· 2 books
Nicola Yoon
Contemporary young adult fiction gained a distinct perspective on teenage romance and identity with the publication of the 2015 bestseller Everything, Everything. Nicola Yoon quickly established herself as a leading voice in young adult and speculative fiction, earning critical recognition for stories centered on diverse protagonists and complex emotional journeys.
Her second young adult novel, The Sun is Also a Star, further expanded her readership through its exploration of immigration, family, and fate, while her adult debut, One Of Our Kind, brought her narrative focus on social issues into the realm of speculative fiction.
Career & Background
Raised in Jamaica and Brooklyn, Nicola Yoon spent fifteen years working in finance before pursuing a career as a full-time author. She became the first Black woman to reach the number one spot on the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list following the debut of Everything, Everything. In addition to her solo young adult books and her adult fiction, she has co-authored collaborative novels including Blackout and Whiteout. Partnering with her husband, novelist David Yoon, she co-founded Joy Revolution, a Random House imprint dedicated to publishing romantic young adult novels focused on people of color. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her family.
Writing Style & Themes
Yoon's writing combines personal character arcs with broader commentary on culture, grief, and social structures. Her young adult books frequently feature multi-perspective narratives, non-traditional formatting, and themes touching on the immigrant experience, love, and destiny. In her adult speculative work, such as One Of Our Kind, she utilizes suspense and social critique to examine race, wealth, and community dynamics.
Major Works
- The Sun is Also a Star — Published in 2016, this young adult novel traces a single day in New York City shared by two teenagers navigating familial obligations and impending deportation. It was named a National Book Award finalist, received a Michael L. Printz Honor, and was adapted into a feature film.
- One Of Our Kind — This adult speculative thriller centers on a Black family moving into a planned community in California, uncovering unsettling secrets beneath its idealized facade as it explores themes of race, privilege, and autonomy.
- Everything, Everything — Her 2015 debut young adult novel revolves around a teenager with a severe medical illness who falls in love with her new neighbor. The bestseller won the Coretta Scott King New Talent Award and was adapted into a 2017 film.
- Instructions for Dancing — This young adult novel follows a high school senior gifted with visions of how romantic relationships end, forcing her to confront her own beliefs about love and heartbreak.
§All Books
The Sun is Also a Star
Nicola Yoon, 2016
273 ratings
One Of Our Kind
Nicola Yoon, 2024
13 ratings