ROBERT MOSCATO-GOODPASTER: And so the novel is set at the Farmland Music Festival, and it is a place that the character Olivia describes at one point as being a place where she feels free and safe - completely at home. When they get there, they find each other and realize - in order to accomplish all the things over the course of the weekend they want to accomplish - not only do they need to rely on each other, but they need the music more than they ever thought possible. And the two go to a Music Festival in search of one last epic weekend before they embark on the next big chapters in both their lives. Olivia has just had a breakup that's made her an outcast - both at home, with her family, and at school. LEAH JOHNSON: "Rise to the Sun" is a book about two girls named Toni and Olivia, who are coming off the heels of two very difficult years. Johnson spoke with WFYI's Robert Moscato-Goodpaster about the role music has played in her life, gun violence, and the continued importance of giving queer, young, Black women a happy ending. Her first book, " You Should See Me in a Crown," explores race, class, and sexuality and drew widespread attention as the first YA pick for Reese Witherspoon's national book club. Leah Johnson's new novel "Rise to the Sun" tackles themes of grief, joy and happy endings through the power of music.
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