Sunny Side Up

Title: Sunny Side Up 
Author: Jennifer L. Holm 
Illustrator: Matthew Holm 
Publisher: Graphix 
Publication Date: August 25th, 2015 
Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Graphic Novel 
GoodReads Summary: From the groundbreaking and award-winning sister-brother team behind Babymouse comes a middle-grade, semi-autobiographical graphic novel.

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.

By sister-brother team Jennifer and Matthew Holm. A 200-page, full-color graphic novel in the vein of Raina Telgemeier's Smile.  
What I Think: I'm a fan of books that stick with you even after you turn the last page, close the last book, and let out a satisfied sigh. Sunny Side Up is definitely one of those books. I loved the strong but sweet protagonist. She's tough and she loves comics and superheroes but she's vulnerable at the same time. I can see many young readers identifying with Sunny and taking a lot away from her story.
     As a mentor text Sunny Side Up definitely reminds me of Raina Telgemeier's Smile. A few years ago, I was in a workshop where Raina talked the audience through how to tell a personal narrative in six panels (or something like that...). She led us through an activity and then called on a member of the audience to tell his story about the first time he tried Vegemite. It was entertaining to watch but also enlightening. I don't usually draw pictures to represent my stories so it was fascinating to see how the process works. I love that young readers will get a story with a similar feel with Sunny Side Up. That said, they will also get a serious story that might be worthy of a conversation during or afterwards depending on the reader.
     I'm sure fans of the Holms' work will adore Sunny Side Up but I also believe any graphic novel fan won't be disappointed!
Read Together: Grades 3 - 5 
Read Alone: Grades 4 - 7 
Read With: Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin, The Center of The Universe by Linda Urban, Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Snatch of Text:   

Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you had to have a difficult conversation with a friend or family member.
Topics Covered: Family, Friendship, Fear, Pain, Disappointment, Loyalty, Guilt, Courage

I *heart* It: