The Sun Will Come Out by Joanne Levy

 I'm going to take a brief break from YA to talk about this little book by Joanne Levy entitled The Sun Will Come Out.

I recently sat for a webinar that focused on books for Hi-Lo/Reluctant and Struggling Readers.  Orca Book Publishers presented during the webinar and a few of the titles that they were discussing, I was definitely interested in.  When purchasing for my juvenile collection, I want to make sure that there are titles that appeal to a wide variety of readers, not just in topic but also in the way that they are written when it comes to "decoding", if that makes any sense. 

I don't remember if this title came up in the presentation or if I found it on my own from searching our book vendor but either way, I found the title and I decided to put it on hold to give it a read. 

Orca Book Publishers is a publishing company based in Canada.  They have a goal of publishing books that present and illustrate the experiences that represent the diversity that is seen within the human population (which I love!).  Orca Book Publisher also publishes five different series for readers who may face literacy challenges.  That being said... I thought this book was from a series within one of those five but I guess not? Regardless, I still found this book to be a wonderful read!  

The Sun Will Come Out follows 11 year old Bea (Beatrice) as she spends 4 weeks away at sleep away camp.  The story starts off with Bea finding out that her best friend, Frankie will not be going to Camp Shalom with her.  Bea is devastated to say the least!  Then when Bea gets to Camp Shalom, she easily makes friends with a girl named Regan.  Already anticipating the worst, Bea has a series of terrible run=ins and experiences at camp... within the first 3 days!  She makes quick friends with a girl named Regan, who becomes to be the girl that Bea's crush, Jeremy (who also happens to be Frankie's older brother) likes.  Two girls in her cabin start to pick on her on the first day of camp.  

What I liked about The Sun Will Come Out is that it's realistic.  Bea has stressors that she's encountering at camp (outside of school) and they are completely relatable.  She's upset that the boy she likes, doesn't like her back.  She has bullies and she's afraid to vocalize it to an adult because she's afraid of what happen (which isn't right but understandable) but the topic of being courageous and doing the right thing - ometz lev - is a belief that Bea embodies toward the end of the book.  As the reader, you see Bea work through these and you see how she handles them; from the beginning and what may or may not change as the story goes on.  Levy tells a story that is much needed because it talks about everyday things that sometimes get lost in the sauce; you have bullying, anxiety, and diseases.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! 

- Jillian