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“A novel… that celebrates all the things that make a family. ”

– Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“A great read about the importance of bonding, grief, and healing.”

– Booklist, Starred Review

“After her mother’s death, a grieving teen finds connection and comfort with a traumatized horse…As Tía Ivette teaches her how to care for Sunshine, Dorani sees in the horse’s progress echoes of her own grief and slow healing.”

– Kirkus Reviews

The Trouble With Sunshine

Written by Yamile Saied Méndez
Published by Scholastic Press

THE TROUBLE WITH SUNSHINE IS IT COMES EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU DON’T DESERVE IT.

Dorani’s mom, Isa, taught her to be bold and challenge the rules if they don’t seem fair. People are more important than rules. But she never taught Dorani how to do it all without her. So, when Isa dies on the way to speak with the principal about Dori’s latest revolution, Dori loses her voice. Her grief and guilt become the loudest parts of her.

Moving from vibrant Miami to quiet, middle-of-nowhere Wyoming with her aunt feels like the punishment she deserves. She spends most of her time with their newest horse, Sunshine. Sunshine was involved in an accident that’s left her skittish and hard to care for. Tia Ivette knows her behavior comes from fear, and she is trying everything to make Sunshine brave again. But Dori knows grief can feel like fear… and grief is just love with no place to go.

Speaking up for Sunshine reminds Dori that the very best parts of her mother live on through her, and so when she starts to notice that the rules at her new school unfairly target specific students, she knows just what her mother would do…

Primary ISBN: 9781546122746
Publication Date: March 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 09 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Miami FL), United States (Wyoming)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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