Sunny Side Up – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Sunny Side Up

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2015

88%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Sunny’s summer in a retirement community isn’t just about golf carts and early bird specials—it’s a sharp, moving look at the family secrets we carry.

Sunny Side Up

book

2015

88%

WISE Score

4.5

Amazon

Sunny’s summer in a retirement community isn’t just about golf carts and early bird specials—it’s a sharp, moving look at the family secrets we carry.

4.5

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Screenwise Verdict

Sunny Side Up is the opposite of 'brain rot.' It’s a thoughtful, beautifully paced graphic novel that treats its young readers like they’re smart enough to handle real-world problems.

Jennifer L. Holm (who wrote Babymouse) knows exactly how to balance humor—like the absurdity of eating dinner at 4:00 PM with senior citizens—with the gut-punch realization that family life can be messy. It’s a must-read if you have a kid who loves Raina Telgemeier but is ready for something with a bit more weight.

Age Fit

Best for the 8-12 crowd. It’s sophisticated enough for middle schoolers but simple enough for a 3rd grader to digest with a little guidance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It deals with heavy reality—specifically a brother's substance abuse—but handles it with immense grace and empathy. It's emotionally honest without being unnecessarily dark.

Imaginative

As a graphic novel, it uses the medium effectively to jump between the 'boring' reality of a Florida retirement home and the stressful flashbacks of home life. It's grounded, not fantasy, but visually engaging.

Safe

Extremely safe for its target age. While it touches on 'adult' themes like addiction and stealing, it does so through the eyes of a confused child. No graphic content or inappropriate language.

Enriching

This is a masterclass in teaching kids about empathy and the fact that they aren't responsible for their parents' or siblings' bad choices. It's high-level emotional intelligence in comic form.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It’s a graphic novel that kids actually want to read, making heavy topics feel accessible rather than like a lecture.
The 1970s Florida setting is weirdly charming and provides a great backdrop for the 'boredom' of childhood.
It validates the feelings of 'glass children'—the siblings of kids who are struggling with major issues.
The art style is clean and expressive, perfect for readers who get overwhelmed by dense text.

⚠

What to Watch For

The storyline involving the older brother's drug use (implied through behavior and 'bad' friends) can be a bit heavy or confusing for younger kids under 8.
There’s a fair amount of lying and secret-keeping between characters that might need a quick chat.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Sunny felt like she had to keep her brother's behavior a secret?"
"Gramps has some 'hidden' habits too (like smoking). Why do you think adults sometimes hide things from kids?"
"If you were sent to live in a retirement home for a summer, what’s the first thing you’d do to stay entertained?"
"How does Sunny's friendship with Buzz help her deal with the stuff happening back home?"

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