Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2025
Genres: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Audience: Grades 3–6
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Sunny Figures It Out
Content Warnings: Social pressure, mild pre-teen dating/romance, and academic anxiety.
Publisher’s Summary
The New York Times bestselling SUNNY series continues with Sunny trying to figure out when a boy stops being just a friend and starts being a boyfriend… and what that means for both of them.
There’s no question that Sunny has fun whenever she hangs out with Tony. They go to the movies together, talk a lot at school, and support each other. But are they dating? Sunny isn’t sure… but her friend, Deb, is. She thinks Sunny and Tony should be doing the couples-skate at the local roller rink, and that Tony should be carrying Sunny’s books. For Sunny, this doesn’t feel great; it just feels weird. Maybe she needs to stop taking everyone else’s advice and figure things out for herself!
Review
Sunny Figures It Out (Sunny #6) by Jennifer L. Holm, illustrated by Matthew Holm, is a continuation of the fun, relatable graphic-novel series about middle-schooler Sunny and everyday problems that feel so huge at that age.
In this particular book, Sunny is facing new academic and social pressures as school gets more complicated—especially when it comes to math and problem-solving. As expectations grow, Sunny struggles with confidence and worries about not being “good enough,” while also dealing with friendships and family issues. In a humorous way, the author is able to show Sunny learning to figure things out. Sunny realizes that it isn’t about being perfect, but about persistence, asking for help, and believing in herself.
While this wasn’t one of my personal favorites in the series, I do think the author did a nice job of showing the real struggles that kids face, but doing it in a light-hearted way that doesn’t stress out the younger reader. The book also shows how it is normal to struggle with a subject or academics and that it requires persistence and hard work to show improvements. I would have recommended this book and series to my students. I think that there are many relatable topics and that the illustrations enhance the readers’ understanding of the book, which is helpful for reluctant readers.
One of my favorite things about the series is that it takes place in the late 70s and early 80s, so students get a glimpse into that time period. For me, it is nostalgic. I look forward to the next novel in this series.
📖 Curricular Connection: Persistence & History
- Growth Mindset in Math: Sunny’s struggle with math is a highlight of this volume. It provides a perfect opening for classroom discussions on persistence. Teachers can use Sunny’s journey to show that not being “instantly good” at a subject is normal and that asking for help is a skill in itself.
- Historical Context (The 1970s): For history or social studies, Sunny #6 offers a “glimpse into the past.” Students can compare modern middle school life (cell phones, social media) to Sunny’s world (roller rinks, landlines, and physical books).
- Visual Literacy: As a graphic novel, this is a top-tier choice for reluctant readers. The illustrations by Matthew Holm provide essential context clues for social cues and emotional subtext that prose might miss.
