#2 in Sunny Series
Swing it, Sunny
What’s inside...
Summer's over and it's time for Sunny Lewin to enter the strange and unfriendly hallways of middle school. When her Gramps calls her from Florida to ask how she's doing, she always tells him she's fine. But the truth? Sunny is NOT having the best time. Not only is the whole middle school thing confusing, but life at home is confusing, too. Sunny misses her brother Dale, who's been sent to boarding school. But when Dale comes back, she STILL misses him because he's changed. Luckily Sunny's got her best friend and a mysterious new neighbor on her side because she is NOT going let all this confusion get her down. Instead, she's going to remain Sunny-side up!
Discussion points
How do you think Sunny felt when she was trying to adjust to her new middle school? Can you relate to her experience?
What did Sunny learn about friendship and trust throughout the story? Why do you think those lessons are important?
Why do you think it's important for Sunny to keep trying new activities, like the flag twirling? What does it teach her?
How does Sunny's relationship with her brother Dale affect her throughout the book? Have you ever had a situation where a family member's choices impacted you?
What role do you think humor plays in how Sunny deals with her challenges? Can laughter really help us in tough times?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Sunny's experiences and relate them to their own life. This builds empathy and personal reflection.
Discuss Sunny's coping mechanisms and ask your child how they manage challenging situations. This fosters problem-solving skills and resilience.
Highlight the importance of perseverance shown by Sunny in trying new activities, reinforcing the value of persistence and exploring new interests.
Use examples from the book to discuss the impact of family dynamics and friends on personal growth. It's a good anchor point to talk about supportive relationships in your child's life.
Laugh together at the humorous parts of the book and discuss how humor can be a powerful tool for dealing with life's difficulties.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Coping with change
Explanation: Sunny faces various changes, such as her brother going to boarding school. Her adaptation to these changes is central to the narrative.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adapt positively to changes in their family dynamics or schooling, understanding that change is a part of life.
Example Lesson: Understanding emotions
Explanation: Sunny explores a wide range of emotions as she deals with her brother’s absence and her evolving family life.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to identify and manage their emotions more effectively, helping them communicate feelings in a healthy manner.
Example Lesson: Importance of family support
Explanation: Throughout the book, the significance of family, even when imperfect, is highlighted as Sunny leans on them for support.
Real-World Application: Children can value and seek support from family members during challenging times, appreciating their family's role in emotional well-being.
Example Lesson: Developing empathy
Explanation: Sunny learns to understand and empathize with her brother’s struggles, despite her initial feelings of abandonment.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop empathy towards others, understanding different perspectives and supporting those who may be experiencing difficulties.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Sunny showcases resilience as she navigates personal and family challenges.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of resilience, encouraging them to overcome obstacles and emerge stronger.