whitmc's review against another edition
4.0
Snagged from the "recommended" shelf at the library. Fun and quick. Meant for middle grade, although the 70s throwback was fun.
janerose123's review against another edition
4.0
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.
It was a great middle-grade book. I also like the Illustration and the characters:) Sunny likes comics and she is also a best friend. The conflict was great too and the end was teary
It was a great middle-grade book. I also like the Illustration and the characters:) Sunny likes comics and she is also a best friend. The conflict was great too and the end was teary
pandacat42's review against another edition
3.0
Note: I read the ARC.
It's a story that can help young people understand that sometimes families need to work through difficult situations. I thought there was such an old feel to it that I don't know that kids will relate right away. Also, the girl preaching to her grandfather about smoking and the grandfather actually quitting seemed unrealistic. As an adult, I just think he's going to start up again the moment she leaves. Not every grandparent would quit at their grandchild's chiding. Just seems to plant unrealistic expectations in children's heads to me.
It's a story that can help young people understand that sometimes families need to work through difficult situations. I thought there was such an old feel to it that I don't know that kids will relate right away. Also, the girl preaching to her grandfather about smoking and the grandfather actually quitting seemed unrealistic. As an adult, I just think he's going to start up again the moment she leaves. Not every grandparent would quit at their grandchild's chiding. Just seems to plant unrealistic expectations in children's heads to me.
emmaellis13's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
Really beautiful book about kids who have close family members dealing with substance abuse. These are important stories for kids, needed, and this one tells it gently and with hope. Reminiscent of Kate Messner's The Seventh Wish, but in graphic form!
saharafrost's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mayapapaya7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If I could give it any higher, I would. Relatable and hit home for me
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know what to expect from the folks who make Babymouse, but this realistic graphic novel set in the 1970s surely exceeded those expectations.
The story flips between 1975, showing Sunny's everyday life with her family and friends, and 1976, detailing Sunny's summer with her grandfather in Florida. As the two timelines progress, the reader connects how Sunny came to be in Florida, and better understands her conflicted feelings. A remarkable handling of a family coping with substance abuse, that respects its characters and especially its readers. The author's note to children experiencing similar pain is particularly heartfelt.
Recommended for...
An upper middle grade read, but preteens could also read and get even more from it.
Pair read with This One Summer, Smile, or (I think, but haven't yet read to confirm) El Deafo
The story flips between 1975, showing Sunny's everyday life with her family and friends, and 1976, detailing Sunny's summer with her grandfather in Florida. As the two timelines progress, the reader connects how Sunny came to be in Florida, and better understands her conflicted feelings. A remarkable handling of a family coping with substance abuse, that respects its characters and especially its readers. The author's note to children experiencing similar pain is particularly heartfelt.
Recommended for...
An upper middle grade read, but preteens could also read and get even more from it.
Pair read with This One Summer, Smile, or (I think, but haven't yet read to confirm) El Deafo