The Trouble With Sunshine

Ages 9 to 12, Grades 4 to 7

A heartwarming story about grief and new beginnings, by Pura Belpre Award-winning author Yamile Saied Mendez.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...

About the Author

Yamile (sha-MEE-lay) Saied Mendez is the author of Blizzard Besties, Random Acts of Kittens, Wish Upon a Stray, and many other books for young readers, including Furia, a Reese's YA Book Club selection and winner of a Pura Belpre YA Author Medal. She was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, and now lives in Utah with her family. A Walter Dean Myers Grant recipient, she is also a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Connect with her at yamilesmendez.com.