Other editions of book Arilla Sun Down

An American Library Association Notable Book and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year:Twelve-year-old Arilla goes on a quest to discover who she is and where she fits into her family—and the world Arilla Adams is tired of being the moon to her older brother’s sun. Sixteen-year-old Jack has rejected being part of an interracial family and identifies only with his Native American heritage. But Arilla, also part African American and part Native American, isn’t so sure where she belongs. She knows there are people who care about her. Old James False Face tells her stories. Her mom, who’s as beautiful as a queen, wants Arilla to learn to dance. And her classmate Angel Diovalad, the star of the girls’ basketball team, tells her secrets about the boy she loves, whom she meets with on the sly. Arilla also has secrets: She sneaks out to the roller rink to practice figure skating. And she’s afraid of horses. But she’s about to discover her inner courage on a daring rescue mission that will transform her relationship with her family and earn her the name Arilla Sun Down.

The classic young adult novel from master storyteller Virginia Hamilton, now repackaged with striking new art from acclaimed illustrator Kadir Nelson.Arilla never asks for anything. Not even a true identity. It's hard to remember who you are when you never really knew yourself in the first place. But her brother, Jack Sun Run, doesn't have that problem. He has intelligence, beauty, and grace. He has decided who he is, and he shines as brightly as the sun.Arilla knows she walks in her brother's shadow. That's why he calls her "Moon." But everything turns around one day, and it is Jack who needs her help. That's when Arilla realizes the sun must always set to make way for the moon.