Summary: The Trouble with Sunshine
Dorani is heartbroken when her mom dies on the freeway of a heart attack en route to her school after she’s suspended for speaking up. Soon after, she’s separated from her mom’s fiancé in Florida and sent to live with her aunt, Ivette, in rural Wyoming, as stipulated by her mom. There, she learns a great deal about her mom’s childhood and teenage years, forms a bond with a horse named Sunshine, and grows closer to her aunt. But soon, she realizes that she’ll need to stand up for her new group of friends who are being unfairly treated. But is she brave enough to do it, when she thinks it cost her her mother’s life?
The Good
I adored this story. Dorani has grown up pushing back against inequality and unfair rules, but when her mom dies on the way to talk to her principal, it changes her to an extent. This story feels like a second chance at a coming-of-age tale. Moving is another big theme in this story. When Dorani moves from Miami to Wyoming, the difference is stark. The Latino community she’s accustomed to in Florida isn’t available in Wyoming, and she has to find a whole new group of friends with whom she can belong.
Speaking of Wyoming, this book has a strong sense of place with the rural Wyoming setting. Dorani’s aunt, Ivette, runs an equine therapy practice, so several animals are featured in this story. Yes, there’s grief in this book, but the author still manages to keep things relatively lighthearted, and readers will see Dorani’s resilience on every page as she tries to move forward after losing her favorite person in the world.
Overall, the vibe is very cozy and sweet as Dorani discovers found family and connects with the horse named Sunshine. Finally, activism plays a role in this story, as Dorani starts off being passionate about speaking up for others and must rediscover that part of herself by the end of the story.
The Trouble with Sunshine
The Trouble with Sunshine is a heartwarming story about overcoming adversity and finding solace in equine therapy. This sweet story features a horde of timely themes, including grief, family dynamics, embracing your culture, adjusting to moving and making new friends, and the power of animal-human connection. I loved it and highly recommend it for horse fans, fans of friendship stories, and kids who like books about tweens overcoming adversity.
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: Reference to Dorani’s mom dying of a heart attack.
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None.
- Sexual content: None.
- Violence: None.
- Language: None.
Diversity
- Ethnic: Diverse cast featuring Latino, Black, and white characters.
- Sexual orientation: None.
Recommended for ages: 9+
Good for tweens who like:
Publisher Details
| Publisher details | Atheneum Books for Young Readers |
| Author | Yamile Saied Mendez |
| Illustrator | N/A |
| Publication date | March 4, 2025 |
| Audiobook? | Yes, Libro.Fm |
| Page count: | 272 |
| Cover artists | Designer: |
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