Sunny Holiday

When I think about books I want many of my female students to read, Sunny Holiday comes to mind. This series, by Coleen Murtagh Paratore, is about a headstrong, spunky fourth grader who always makes the most out of any situation, good or bad. She lives in a poor community in upstate New York. Her mother works long hours at a hotel and goes to school at night, and her father is in prison, making up for a big mistake he made trying to get rich quick. Regardless of these obstacles, Sunny stays positive and true to her name, of course!

How Can I Use this Book in My Classroom?

Coleen Murtagh Paratore's writing is playful and creative, but her message she sends to her readers is quite simple: a positive attitude and hard work, combined with patience will lead to great things. Sunny is a good role model for young readers and there's an important message to learn. The author has a unique tone to her writing, creating a strong voice for Sunny. She starts the book by having Sunny quote her father saying, she is strong like a dandelion, which is a strong message shown throughout the novel. I would recommend this read to any young girls looking to learn from a resilient and positive character!