Parents' Guide to

Sunny Rolls the Dice

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Funny graphic novel tale of friendship, '70s middle school.

Book Jennifer L. Holm Graphic Novel 2019
Sunny Rolls the Dice Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Haleigh beth M.
Haleigh beth M. Parent of 2, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 18+-year-old
March 5, 2023
age 10+
gsidi001
gsidi001 Adult
October 20, 2019
age 10+
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As SUNNY ROLLS THE DICE opens, Sunny has made it to middle school but finds the situation confusing. It's the mid-1970s, and her friends seem obsessed with what's cool and what's not. Sunny doesn't find boys, clothes, and makeup as fascinating as they do. When she's invited to join a game of Dungeons & Dragons, though, she enjoys swordfighting and killing giant spiders. Can she play fantasy games and still be cool? And is being cool really all that important?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The transition to middle school is often fraught with anxiety, and this low-key but highly enjoyable graphic novel captures its main character's search for meaningful friendships in the disco era. Sunny Rolls the Dice is the third installment in Jennifer M. Holm and Matthew Holm's Sunny series. While not the most action-packed of the bunch, it does have its fair share of funny comedy bits and revealing character moments. Sunny's quest for cool will appeal to a wide range of readers and will leave them ready for the next installment. Good-natured, charming, and a little insecure, Sunny is a bright spot on the comics scene.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Sunny Rolls the Dice and how the book treats gaming enthusiasts. Is it unusual for a girl to participate in role playing games?

  • What does it mean to be popular in middle school? What products do kids buy in order to seem more popular?

  • Do you find it tough to make new friends while staying close to the old ones?

Book Details

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