Book Series · 6 Books

Sunny Books

In order from Sunny Side Up to Sunny Figures It Out.

Jennifer and Matthew Holm's full-color graphic novels follow Sunny Lewin through 1970s family changes, friendships, school, and the complicated effects of her older brother's substance use.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated August 11, 2026

Reading order

How to Read the Sunny Books

Read the six graphic novels in numbered order. Each has its own focus, but family events and Sunny's emotional growth continue from book to book.

Sources: Jennifer L. Holm's official Sunny series.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

The series pairs bright art and humor with a serious family story. Sunny's older brother struggles with substance use, anger, and instability; later books address treatment, absence, shame, worry, and the effects on the whole family.

Other topics include grief, divorce and family strain, anxiety, friendship conflict, and changing bodies. The treatment is compassionate and age-appropriate, but children with similar experiences may find parts emotionally close to home.

Where to start

Where Should My Child Start?

Sunny Side Up establishes the family situation that later books continue.

Start with Sunny Side Up

Read from book #1 so Sunny's family changes and growing confidence have their full context.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

Sunny Side Up

By Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm (Illustrator)

A young girl spends the summer with her grandfather in a retirement community in Florida, learning about life and herself through various adventures and misadventures

224 pages· 4,143 words· Est. 47 min read

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Sunny Lewin's summer in Florida with her grandfather seems dull until she meets Buzz, a comic book enthusiast. Together, they embark on quirky adventures, but a hidden family secret looms. Why was Sunny sent to Florida? As she uncovers the truth, her world shifts, challenging her understanding of family and herself. Amidst golfball-eating alligators and disappearing neighbors, Sunny must navigate the complexities of growing up and the impact of her brother's actions on her family. Will she find clarity and peace in the chaos? Discover the mystery that turns a mundane summer into a life-altering journey.

In reading order

Sunny Series

6 books · Published 2015–2025

#1 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398

Sunny Side Up

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

A young girl spends the summer with her grandfather in a retirement community in Florida, learning about life and herself through various adventures and misadventures

#2 in Series

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1398