A Place To Shine

Ten-year-old Sunny Williams is resilient—she knows this because it’s what her beloved grandma, Nanna, always tells her. So when Nanna is put into a care home after her memory loss issues get worse and social workers intend to put Sunny and her seven-year-old brother, Miles, into a foster home, she takes charge and hatches a plan for them to avoid getting split up.

Luckily, Sunny also realizes Nanna has left her a message in the form of their favorite story. With the help of their guide (and temporary guardian), Mr. Darrious Evens, and her best friend, Folake, Sunny embarks on a quest to collect the three magical ingredients that are sure to cure Nanna’s dementia and help them find their way home again.

Mr. Evens also happens to be the choir director, and he encourages Sunny, with her beautiful singing voice, to perform in front of the school, even though Nanna isn’t there to cheer her on. Sunny’s quest to fix her nanna will lead her to understand herself and what’s important—and that home can be any place you feel loved.

"This quietly uplifting and hopeful tale examines everyday magic, the processing of grief, and the strength of family and community. [Sunny's] exuberant voice and hyperbolic tendencies add zest to this fanciful read." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Ultimately uplifting. [A] beautiful novel. For fans of Merci Suarez or books by Sharon Draper and Nikki Grimes, this is at once both heartbreaking and bursting with joy. Truly a triumphant read for middle-graders everywhere." -- Booklist

"Sunny is a funny and relatable character, and readers will identify with her gumption and loyalty. Quirky Miles and Folake add another layer of fun to this story, whose pacing and humor make for an enjoyable read. A compelling look at familial support that comes from unexpected people and places." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for I RISE: "Arnold threads Black history, culture, and current events into her narrative, giving the reader a firsthand view of what it means to be young and Black in New York City today through Ayo's experiences. A powerful and very engaging story of a strong, determined young lady and a call for social justice and understanding." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

Marie Arnold was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, and came to America at the age of seven. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York alongside her extended family. Marie enjoys creating stories full of adventure and wonder that center on girls of color. When she's not writing, she's adding to her insanely long Netflix queue and trying not to order pizza. She lives in Los Angeles, California. She is the author of The Year I Flew Away and I Rise.

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