Some readers may question the choice to put a 19-year-old like Sally at the center of a novel for younger readers. Having a cognitive disability doesn't make anyone an eternal child. But Sally's pitch-perfect, brilliantly meandering voice reminded me that I first read (and adored) Flowers for Algernon, the story of an adult man with cognitive and developmental disabilities navigating similarly dark issues, when I was probably too young. Children are captivated by differences in others. In many ways, an overprotected young adult living in a group home faces the same challenges as a child testing the waters of independence…Simon has given young readers a rare chance to celebrate the extraordinary courage of someone like Sally, and a chance to understand where it comes from.
The New York Times Book Review - Cammie McGovern
★ 10/21/2019
NPR broadcaster and author Simon makes his children’s book debut with this novel inspired by his experience, as a young man, working at a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. Ingenuous narrator Sally Miyake (“Sal Pal”), a resident of the Sunnyside Plaza community center, easily draws readers into her story, confiding, “I can’t read, but I see, I hear, and I notice things.” Fixated on numbers, she communicates her age as “8 times 2 plus 3,” and believes that her long-absent mother “will be back when she can take care of me.” The teen and her fellow residents instinctively support one another and provide mutual solace when two tenants die suddenly and another suffers a mysterious fall. Two detectives investigating the deaths bring untold joy into Sal Pal’s life when they take her under their wing, inviting her to her first-ever baseball game and a family seder, and soliciting her help solving the deaths, given her keen perspicacity. In heartbreaking moments, Simon also lays bare the profound humiliation that Sal Pal and her friends feel when marginalized, as when a woman at the park deems “those people... crazy.” A resoundingly poignant novel with an acutely intuitive and empathic protagonist. Ages 8–up. (Jan.)
Praise for Sunnyside Plaza : Kirkus, starred review Publishers Weekly, starred review compassion, determination, intrigue , and the restored faith in the power of community."—School Library Connection Sunnyside Plaza is a light in the shadows that illuminates the humanity in us all. It's a book as special as its characters. A treasure ." Jerry Spinelli, Newbery winning author of Maniac Magee and The Warden's Daughter beautiful book that focuses on empathy , not pity, to introduce readers to a new world. I enjoyed every minute I spent with the characters of Sunnyside Plaza ."—Stacy McAnulty, bestselling author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl Kathy Detwiler, Buttonwood Books & Toys (Cohasset, MA) Colin Sneed, Flyleaf Books (Chapel Hill, NC) Sunnyside Plaza is an amazing book. The book is a mystery and it is sure to intrigue anyone who reads it. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. If you liked Braced, I am certain you will like this book too. It's a great book for kids 9 and older."—Island Bookstore (Kitty Hawk, NC) you'll cheer for Sally and her friends as they help the police solve a mystery!"—Susan Posch, The Book Shoppe (Boone, IA) "An excellent book about the power of the human spirit , even when some of the people are so different from what would be called "normal." A must read for all middle readers as they think about people who may be different from themselves."—Pat Trotter, Bookends On Main (Menomonie, WI) Simon delivers a unique story ."—BCCB
As Lauren Fortgang narrates the story of 19-year-old Sally Miyake in a clear and kind voice, listeners will get a sense of her curiosity and intuition about the world. Sally lives in Sunnyside Plaza, a Chicago group home for adults with developmental disabilities that emphasizes independence and community. Sally may not know how to read, but she knows how to notice things, especially when several unusual deaths occur, bringing in the police and an investigation. The racially diverse housemates and the people who care for them are voiced with compassion. When discrimination from the outside world takes place, listeners will cheer as a determined Sally and her friends use their voices to advocate for themselves. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile
As Lauren Fortgang narrates the story of 19-year-old Sally Miyake in a clear and kind voice, listeners will get a sense of her curiosity and intuition about the world. Sally lives in Sunnyside Plaza, a Chicago group home for adults with developmental disabilities that emphasizes independence and community. Sally may not know how to read, but she knows how to notice things, especially when several unusual deaths occur, bringing in the police and an investigation. The racially diverse housemates and the people who care for them are voiced with compassion. When discrimination from the outside world takes place, listeners will cheer as a determined Sally and her friends use their voices to advocate for themselves. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile
★ 2019-08-28
She lives in Sunnyside Plaza, a group home for developmentally disabled adults of all ages and abilities. The staff members are dedicated to providing physical and emotional care as well as a bit of independence and responsibility. The residents have difficulties understanding concepts such as death or the passage of time. But they accept one another's strengths and weaknesses, valuing kindness above all. Sally proudly works in the kitchen under the direction of Conrad, doing small but necessary chores. When one of her family of friends dies from a stroke, detectives Bridges and Rivas are called to investigate. They soon come to admire Sally's directness and warm heart, and they become part of her life outside the investigation. Sally uses her observational skills to try to understand what has happened, actually cracking the case when she learns that someone who has been trusted is not trustworthy. Supporting characters are presented with love and appreciation for their best qualities. Sally's challenges are part and parcel of her shining humanity, and readers will come to love her. Naming conventions and descriptions indicate wide diversity, but Sally's implied Japanese heritage plays no part in the story.
A tender insight into being different and wonderful. (author's note) (Mystery. 9-14)
