The Trouble With Sunshine
A heartwarming story about grief and new beginnings, by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez.

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 want her mother would do...

1145217348
The Trouble With Sunshine
A heartwarming story about grief and new beginnings, by Pura Belpré Award-winning author Yamile Saied Méndez.

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 want her mother would do...

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The Trouble With Sunshine

The Trouble With Sunshine

by Yamile Saied Méndez

Narrated by Frankie Corzo

Unabridged — 4 hours, 53 minutes

The Trouble With Sunshine

The Trouble With Sunshine

by Yamile Saied Méndez

Narrated by Frankie Corzo

Unabridged — 4 hours, 53 minutes

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Overview

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

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 want her mother would do...


Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

“A heartfelt story of grief, family, and healing." -- Kirkus.

★ “A novel... that celebrates all the things that make a family. " -- PW, starred review.

★ “A great read about the importance of bonding, grief, and healing." -- Booklist, starred review.

Kirkus Reviews

2024-12-14
After her mother’s death, a grieving teen finds connection and comfort with a traumatized horse.

Thirteen-year-old Dorani Gutierrez loves her life in Miami amid a lively mix of Latin American cultures where she, as a Puerto Rican and Argentinian girl, blends in with her classmates. She’s a strong advocate for “truth and justice,” even when that means breaking the rules. But when her mother has a fatal heart attack on the way to speak with the principal after Dorani’s latest rebellion, her whole world shatters. With her absent movie star father on set in Mongolia, Dorani goes to live in Wyoming with her estranged aunt. Tía Ivette seems cold and prickly to Dorani, but she’s an expert at her job: running a ranch where she trains and rehabilitates horses with behavioral issues. Dorani feels an instant connection with one mare, Sunshine, who survived a terrible accident and is now mistrustful of humans. As Tía Ivette teaches her how to care for Sunshine, Dorani sees in the horse’s progress echoes of her own grief and slow healing. When she starts to notice injustices at her new multicultural middle school, it takes all her strength and courage to stand up for what’s right in her new home. The quickly wrapped up ending may leave readers feeling disoriented and vaguely let down, but the rich emotional center grounding this novel will stay with them.

A heartfelt story of grief, family, and healing.(Fiction. 9-13)

Product Details

BN ID: 2940192436417
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date: 03/04/2025
Edition description: Unabridged
Age Range: 8 - 11 Years
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