My Name is Sunshine Simpson

About this book

Sunshine Simpson is an ordinary ten-year-old girl. And that’s the problem. She didn’t even win the skipping challenge this year. When her teacher announces a special assembly to celebrate the school’s anniversary, everyone is excited to show off the thing that makes them them. But Sunshine can’t think what to do or say. Her beloved grandad says that life is an adventure to live and that no one should steal her joy. But everyone loves him – he’s so chatty and funny. What is special about Sunshine?

Meanwhile, her supposed friend Evie keeps making snide comments, Sunshine has a disaster cutting her own hair and Grandad is getting slower and quieter. Can Sunshine see past the everyday stresses and find her voice?

A charming and ultimately uplifting story about family, community and self-belief. Told with humour and heart, Sunshine’s story of working out who she is, while dealing with school and family, is very relatable. Her family is bursting with energy – from the gregarious Grandad to the vivacious Auntie Sharon – and through loss she realises her Jamaican heritage is an important part of who she is. This is an assured debut, dealing with grief, friendship dynamics and individuality in a readable, friendly way.