Swing It, Sunny
Funny, affecting graphic novel shows power of positivity.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Swing It, Sunny continues the story begun in Sunny Side Up, a funny and affecting middle-grade graphic novel by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm, the sister-and-brother team behind the Babymouse and Squish graphic novel series for younger readers. Here, 10-year-old Sunny Lewin returns home from her summer in Florida and learns that her family still has problems it needs to deal with. She tries to keep a positive attitude, even as her brother Dale lashes out in anger at everyone. Sunny learns some hard lessons about disappointment, bottling up feelings, and being honest about family troubles. Sunny's older brother smokes and has had experience with drugs and alcohol.
Community Reviews
its amazing
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Excellent Graphic Novel!
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What's the Story?
SWING IT, SUNNY picks up 10-year-old Sunny Lewin's story where it left off in Sunny Side Up, with Sunny returning from an exciting summer in Florida. Back home with her parents and baby brother, Sunny tries to figure out the rules of middle school, with help from her best friend and from a mysterious new neighbor. Sadly, her troubled older brother, Dale, is having a hard time at boarding school, and Sunny wishes she could make him happy again.
Is It Any Good?
A positive attitude can sometimes help troubles go away, and this gentle, humorous, and honest graphic novel demonstrates the value of optimism and persistence. Swing It, Sunny celebrates a specific time (1976-77), when kids had a little more freedom to explore their neighborhoods. Despite her sometimes brash personality, Sunny is a sensitive and kind girl, and the author and illustrator carefully delineate the love the Lewins have for one another as they experience trying times. Middle school girls are most likely to enjoy Sunny's adventures, but the series, with its great character work and whimsical action, may appeal to a wide range of readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Swing It, Sunny depicts a family struggling with big and small problems. How do family members show that they need help?
Dale has been sent to a military boarding school. What kind of education might a boarding school offer a student who's having trouble in public school?
How can taking up a new activity help when you're feeling sad or stressed out?
Book Details
- Authors: Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm
- Illustrator: Matthew Holm
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, Middle School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Graphix
- Publication date: September 12, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: October 18, 2019
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