Quick, well-constructed book. I enjoyed it and liked the characters, without having read the first one. ( )

Excellent graphic novel for middle grade and adults. Sunny has issues common to all pre-teens; problem siblings, problem with siblings and best friends, and getting comfortable with herself. The illustrations greatly enhance the narrative. A fast yet thoughtful read, with nostalgic value for those growing up in the 1970s. ( )

children's middlegrade graphic novel (semi-memoiresque growing up in the 70s). Too short! More, please! ( )

I'm reading out of order in the Sunny series, but #2 stands alone as well as #3. This time, Sunny is preoccupied with her older brother Dale's absence; he's away at a military boarding school due to bad behavior. Sunny looks forward to his visits home, but his personality seems to have changed. Meanwhile, her best friend Jen moves out of the house next door (though it seems like she stays local), and an older girl moves in. Neela is in high school marching band, and she's kind to Sunny; she teaches her how to twirl. Sunny's parents are kind and as comforting as they can be about Dale; Sunny also confides in her grandpa, who lives in Florida but comes to visit in February.

Quotes

"I guess what I'm trying to say is: Do you think people can change?" (Sunny to Gramps, 142)

"I know it's hard to watch somebody you love struggle. All you want to do is make it better. But you can't always fix things....Just keep loving him and hope for the best." (Gramps to Sunny, 145)

"When he's around, everyone argues more, and it's harder to breathe. I miss him, but I don't miss that." (Sunny to her mom, 192)

"When things get bad, sometimes they take it out on the people they should be turning to for help." (Sunny's mom, 193) ( )

This was a fun sequel to Sunny Side Up. I don’t think it was good. It was straightforward instead of jumping back and forth in time like the previous book. It spans a year and the major conflict is her brother trying to get help for his addiction and bad behavior. But that is the underlying depressing story. It’s also about a new neighbor moving in, learning something new like band flags, and making new friends. I did like this book, but I thought book one was better.
#SeriesRead2021 ( )