Sunny Side Up

Jennifer L. Holm

Book 1 in the series:Sunny

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In the graphic novel Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm, ten-year-old Sunny spends her summer with her grandfather in Florida while her family deals with her older brother's substance abuse issues. Through flashbacks and present-day interactions, readers witness Sunny navigate family secrets, guilt, and finding solace in comics and newfound friendships. The story is set in the summer of 1976, blending a poignant narrative with moments of humor and heartwarming relationships.

The book seamlessly weaves important social messages about substance abuse, family dynamics, and friendship into a relatable and engaging story. Through the character of Sunny, readers experience a child's perspective on dealing with challenging family issues, learning to cope with guilt, and finding support in unexpected places, all wrapped in a nostalgic setting of the 1970s.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Sunny being relatable and her grandfather and friend providing support and humor.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines straightforward prose with humor and emotional depth, complemented by engaging illustrations.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a young girl's unexpected summer with her grandfather, where she confronts family secrets and learns about resilience through friendship.

Setting:

Set in a 1976 Florida retirement community, the setting captures the cultural nuances of the time and contrasts with Sunny's previous home life.

Pacing:

The pacing balances between present action and flashbacks, maintaining engagement while allowing for character depth.

Notes:

Sunny Side Up is a middle-grade graphic novel by siblings Jennifer and Matthew Holm.

The story is semi-autobiographical, inspired by the authors' childhood.

Set in 1976, it centers around a 10-year-old girl named Sunny.

Sunny expects to enjoy a beach vacation, but is sent to stay with her grandfather in a retirement community in Florida instead.

Florida is not what she imagined; instead of fun attractions, she encounters grumpy residents and early dinners.

Sunny befriends a boy named Buzz who shares her interest in comic books and helps lighten her summer.

The book sensitively addresses issues of substance abuse within a family context.

Through the story, Sunny grapples with her older brother's drug and alcohol problems and the guilt she feels.

The authors incorporate humor and warmth into a serious topic, making it accessible for younger readers.

The graphic novel features bright, colorful illustrations that enhance the storytelling and emotional impact.

A strong message encourages children to talk about family issues without feeling shame.

Despite dealing with heavy themes, the story is not overly dark and includes many funny moments.

It emphasizes the importance of friendship and communication in tough circumstances.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Sunny Side Up include themes of substance abuse and family challenges, which may be sensitive for some readers.

From The Publisher:

From the groundbreaking and award-winning sister-brother team behind Babymouse comes a middle-grade, semi-autobiographical graphic novel.

Following the lives of kids whose older brother's delinquent behavior has thrown their family into chaos, Sunny Side Up is at once a compelling "problem" story and a love letter to the comic books that help the protagonist make sense of her world.

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