Sweet and Sunny

Gr 3-4 In this sequel to "Sunny Holiday" (Scholastic, 2009), the strong, upbeat fourth grader continues to promote the idea of a Kid's Day, speak her mind, and solve her own problems. Sunny is optimistic even though her father is in jail, her mother loses her job, and her favorite teacher is removed from the classroom. She shows the mayor and superintendent of schools what can be accomplished when someone believes in you and her class scores among the smartest fourth graders in the state. Her teacher and her mother encourage her and, even though trouble comes when Sunny hits a girl for calling her home the ghetto, her mother assures her that "one bad mistake does not make a good person bad." This engaging, simply written story will appeal to beginning chapter-book readers and reluctant readers. It gives children an opportunity to experience empathy, and they will recognize the power of positive thinking as a major theme."Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.