  | Swing it, Sunny (Sunny) Author: Holm, Jennifer L. | |
| Price: $19.58 | ||
Summary:
In the mid-1970s Sunny Lewin is back, star of her personal show, facing the prospect of Middle School, and dealing with the problems of her somewhat dysfunctional family--in particular her older brother, Dale, who has been sent off to a military academy because of his delinquent behavior.
| Added Entry - Personal Name: | Holm, Matthew |
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 2.40 Points: .5 Quiz: 191088 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 6-8 Reading Level: 3.60 Points: 3.0 Quiz: 72091 | |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (07/01/17)
School Library Journal (+) (08/01/17)
Booklist (07/01/17)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/10/17)
The Hornbook (00/11/17)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 07/01/2017 Sunny Lewin is back home after spending the summer with Gramps in Florida (Sunny Side Up, 2015), but things aren’t quite back to normal. She’s starting middle school, hanging out with her best friend, playing with her baby brother, and making friends with her new next-door neighbor, but her brother’s in a military boarding school after getting into trouble with drugs, and she’s worried about whether he’s okay. In breezy vignettes spanning a school year, the Holms offer glimpses into Sunny’s day-to-day, but her fun is frequently interrupted by fears about her brother, which are often triggered by totally unrelated things, like a TV show and an idle joke made by her parents. While bright, cartoonish art and lively atmosphere are certainly playful, there’s a serious undercurrent of emotional complexity here. The Holms do an impressive job of tapping into the free-associative way kids process anxiety, and Sunny’s gradual process of facing her fears and finding a way to relate to her brother is sweet and inspiring. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 08/01/2017 Gr 4–6—It's autumn of 1976, and Sunny has just entered middle school. Her older brother, Dale, has been sent to boarding school to help with his drug problem, and life isn't the same at home. But Sunny tries to stay positive. She and her best friend plan their Halloween costumes, watch popular TV shows, listen to records, and read comics. When Dale returns home for Thanksgiving, he's angry that his family sent him away. With some sage advice from Gramps, Sunny learns that she can't always fix everything but that offering her brother love and support may be enough. Fans of Sunny Side Up will adore this sequel, which provides enough background for new readers to jump right in. The exaggerated, cartoonlike artwork strikes the right balance of humor and heart, candidly conveying Sunny's emotions. References to 1970s pop culture, such as General Hospital and pet rocks, add authenticity. The Holms are realistic about Sunny's complicated family situation yet imbue the upbeat narrative with hope. VERDICT A must-have for middle grade graphic novel collections.—Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
