Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous
What’s inside...
A social media influencer named Sunny Song is forced to attend a digital detox summer camp in Iowa after a mishap with a viral video. With her goals of growing her online presence and having an unforgettable summer dashed, Sunny trades her WiFi for farm life. Amidst unexpected friendships and a charming farm boy, Sunny discovers the value of real connections away from the digital world. This coming-of-age story is an NPR Best Book of the Year and a PopSugar Best Book of June, celebrated as an absolute joy to read.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
14-18
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How does Sunny's experience at the digital detox camp change her perspective on social media and real life interactions?
What do you think about Sunny’s relationship with her parents and how it evolves throughout the story?
How do the characters' different backgrounds and experiences influence their views and interactions with each other?
Why is it important for Sunny to find a balance between her online presence and her offline reality?
What did you learn about the consequences of internet fame and personal privacy from Sunny’s experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own views on social media and its impact on daily life, drawing parallels to Sunny’s experiences.
Discuss the significance of personal relationships and face-to-face interactions, as seen through Sunny’s journey in the book.
Explore the theme of self-discovery and personal growth with your child, asking how they relate to Sunny's transformation.
Examine the ways different characters in the book handle challenges, prompting your child to think about how they might handle similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of unplugging from technology
Explanation: In the story, Sunny Song's excessive social media use leads to a digital detox at a farm, highlighting the consequences of over-reliance on technology.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to balance their screen time with offline activities, fostering real-life interactions and experiences.
Example Lesson: Self-discovery and personal growth
Explanation: Throughout her time away from digital distractions, Sunny explores new hobbies and learns more about herself, demonstrating personal development.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to explore their own interests and hobbies beyond the digital world, helping them to develop a more rounded personality and individuality.
Example Lesson: The value of real-world connections
Explanation: Sunny learns the importance of forming genuine relationships through her interactions with the diverse group at the farm, contrasting with her superficial online connections.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded of the importance of nurturing face-to-face relationships and the depth and fulfillment they can bring compared to online ones.
Example Lesson: Responsibility with social media use
Explanation: The book shows Sunny’s journey towards understanding the impact of her online behavior on herself and others, promoting a more thoughtful approach to social media.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the consequences of their actions on social media and encourage responsible and respectful online behavior.
Example Lesson: Adapting to unexpected changes
Explanation: Sunny's forced break from her digital life is initially challenging, but she learns to adapt and find joy in new experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of resilience and adaptability in times of change, understanding that new situations can lead to personal growth and unexpected opportunities.