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gracepizza40's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The fact that the author had Asian secondary (lmao) characters but still showed her bias: Nicole Melleby needs to understand that foreigners/immigrants CAN USE CONTRACTIONS. so annoying. 🙄 Melleby also wrote that Lucía's family was loud. Just loud? Seriously?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Content warnings for miscarriages, depression, pregnancy and mentions of pregnancy complications, minor homophobia and bullying.
Thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers for sending me a #gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
Nicole Melleby is the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re looking to add more middle grade to your summer hopefuls, I highly recommend her newest book, Winnie Nash is NOT Your Sunshine.
Down by the Jersey Shore, Winnie Nash is stuck at the clubhouse with her grandma, who she is living with for the summer while her mom is pregnant. But little does she know, this summer she will finally tell people she likes girls, join a book club, go to Pride, and make some great friends along the way.
I love how Melleby writes kid-lit with messy queer kids and through Winnie, we learn that she is a frustrated and angry little girl. She’s been hiding her smiles to save for her mom because that’s what her Dad told her to do. Plus, she’s also been advised to not tell her grandma that she’s gay because her mom wanted to protect her.
Winnie is put through a lot, all for the comfort of the adults in her life. But some bright spots in Winne’s gloomy life are meeting two girls her age, Louisa and Pippa; who she may have a crush on. I loved seeing Winnie have a little sunshine in her life especially when she would get butterflies whenever she encountered Pippa.
At the beginning of the book, she signs up for a book club hosted at the clubhouse. The clubhouse is a place where the elderly folks in the neighborhood go to mingle or in Winnie’s grandmother’s case, play canasta. Little does Winnie know that she’s met a queer elder in the process. I loved the way queer adults showed up for Winnie even if it wasn’t perfect. This is exactly what kids need! It warmed my heart when we met Jeanne and she started to casually give Winnie queer romances to read.
Content warnings for miscarriages, depression, pregnancy and mentions of pregnancy complications, minor homophobia and bullying.
If you’re still building your June hopefuls and want to read some queer kid-lit for Pride Month, this is my recommendation. Winnie attends Asbury Park Pride in Asbury Park, NJ - which is a Very Queer place that I’ve been to! - and she sneaks off to New York Pride to get her sunshine back.
Thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers for sending me a #gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
Nicole Melleby is the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re looking to add more middle grade to your summer hopefuls, I highly recommend her newest book, Winnie Nash is NOT Your Sunshine.
Down by the Jersey Shore, Winnie Nash is stuck at the clubhouse with her grandma, who she is living with for the summer while her mom is pregnant. But little does she know, this summer she will finally tell people she likes girls, join a book club, go to Pride, and make some great friends along the way.
I love how Melleby writes kid-lit with messy queer kids and through Winnie, we learn that she is a frustrated and angry little girl. She’s been hiding her smiles to save for her mom because that’s what her Dad told her to do. Plus, she’s also been advised to not tell her grandma that she’s gay because her mom wanted to protect her.
Winnie is put through a lot, all for the comfort of the adults in her life. But some bright spots in Winne’s gloomy life are meeting two girls her age, Louisa and Pippa; who she may have a crush on. I loved seeing Winnie have a little sunshine in her life especially when she would get butterflies whenever she encountered Pippa.
At the beginning of the book, she signs up for a book club hosted at the clubhouse. The clubhouse is a place where the elderly folks in the neighborhood go to mingle or in Winnie’s grandmother’s case, play canasta. Little does Winnie know that she’s met a queer elder in the process. I loved the way queer adults showed up for Winnie even if it wasn’t perfect. This is exactly what kids need! It warmed my heart when we met Jeanne and she started to casually give Winnie queer romances to read.
Content warnings for miscarriages, depression, pregnancy and mentions of pregnancy complications, minor homophobia and bullying.
If you’re still building your June hopefuls and want to read some queer kid-lit for Pride Month, this is my recommendation. Winnie attends Asbury Park Pride in Asbury Park, NJ - which is a Very Queer place that I’ve been to! - and she sneaks off to New York Pride to get her sunshine back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Medical content
Moderate: Miscarriage and Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia
thebookishnarwhal's review against another edition
5.0
This story is a celebration of love, resilience, and the power of community. "Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine" by Nicole Melleby contains sun-drenched pages who weave a poignant and heartwarming tale that resonates with readers of all ages. This middle-grade novel is a luminous exploration of identity, family secrets, and the transformative power of acceptance.
Meet 12-year-old Winnifred "Winnie" Nash. She is no ordinary girl. With her name often mistaken for that of a senior citizen, she navigates life with a maturity beyond her years. When circumstances force her to spend the summer with her grandmother in New Jersey, Winnie grapples with the weight of family secrets and her own hidden truth. As a young girl who knows she's gay, she has been pushed into the metaphorical closet by her parents, who fear her grandmother's judgment. But Winnie yearns for the freedom to be her authentic self, especially as she dreams of attending the Pride Parade in New York City.
Melleby deftly explores themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of family dynamics. Winnie's struggle to balance her family's expectations with her own desires forms the emotional core of the novel. As she immerses herself in her grandmother's senior community, Winnie discovers unlikely friendships, unexpected joys, and the courage to embrace her true self.
Winnie is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her vulnerability and determination make her journey both heartrending and empowering. Her interactions with the seniors are infused with humour and warmth. The supporting characters, including her grandmother, add depth and authenticity to the narrative.
The sun-baked streets of New Jersey come alive in Melleby's vivid descriptions. From the community centre’s bustling activities to the quiet moments shared on the porch swing, the setting serves as a backdrop for Winnie's emotional growth. Readers will feel the summer heat, taste the lemonade, and hear the shuffle of cards as they immerse themselves in Winnie's world.
The prose is lyrical and evocative. Melleby captures the nuances of Winnie's emotions, from the fear of rejection, to the longing for acceptance, and the thrill of newfound connections with grace. The pacing is gentle yet compelling, allowing readers to savour each chapter. As Winnie grapples with her own truth, readers are reminded that acceptance begins within ourselves. The novel encourages conversations about identity, family, and the importance of being true to who we are.
Melleby's latest work is a luminous gem that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Whether you're 12 or 92-years-young, Winnie’s journey will leave an indelible mark on your heart. So grab a copy, find a sunny spot, and let Winnie's story illuminate your day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Meet 12-year-old Winnifred "Winnie" Nash. She is no ordinary girl. With her name often mistaken for that of a senior citizen, she navigates life with a maturity beyond her years. When circumstances force her to spend the summer with her grandmother in New Jersey, Winnie grapples with the weight of family secrets and her own hidden truth. As a young girl who knows she's gay, she has been pushed into the metaphorical closet by her parents, who fear her grandmother's judgment. But Winnie yearns for the freedom to be her authentic self, especially as she dreams of attending the Pride Parade in New York City.
Melleby deftly explores themes of identity, resilience, and the complexities of family dynamics. Winnie's struggle to balance her family's expectations with her own desires forms the emotional core of the novel. As she immerses herself in her grandmother's senior community, Winnie discovers unlikely friendships, unexpected joys, and the courage to embrace her true self.
Winnie is a relatable and endearing protagonist. Her vulnerability and determination make her journey both heartrending and empowering. Her interactions with the seniors are infused with humour and warmth. The supporting characters, including her grandmother, add depth and authenticity to the narrative.
The sun-baked streets of New Jersey come alive in Melleby's vivid descriptions. From the community centre’s bustling activities to the quiet moments shared on the porch swing, the setting serves as a backdrop for Winnie's emotional growth. Readers will feel the summer heat, taste the lemonade, and hear the shuffle of cards as they immerse themselves in Winnie's world.
The prose is lyrical and evocative. Melleby captures the nuances of Winnie's emotions, from the fear of rejection, to the longing for acceptance, and the thrill of newfound connections with grace. The pacing is gentle yet compelling, allowing readers to savour each chapter. As Winnie grapples with her own truth, readers are reminded that acceptance begins within ourselves. The novel encourages conversations about identity, family, and the importance of being true to who we are.
Melleby's latest work is a luminous gem that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Whether you're 12 or 92-years-young, Winnie’s journey will leave an indelible mark on your heart. So grab a copy, find a sunny spot, and let Winnie's story illuminate your day.
Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
salomax_64's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rabbitwinner's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
majaolivia18's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
anacereading's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ouf this made me SOB. It’s so good.
eyeleash's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
The reason MG books should be written, read and hyped is found within these pages.
☀️
Winnie is angry. Her parents sent her to live with her grumpy grandmother for the summer who doesn’t want a preteen around. That’s fine with Winnie because she doesn’t want to be there either. She wants to be back home with her chatty dad and pregnant mom whose smile has dimmed a lot over the years. Before she left her parents told her not to reveal that she likes girls to her grandmother so now Winnie feels like she’s not truly herself. When Winnie meets two local girls they become fast friends, even though it wasn’t what Winnie was looking for. But as the summer gets closer to the Pride festival in NYC that Winnie really wanted to go to, she finds herself thinking about that and all the things that could go wrong with her mother’s pregnancy. When it all comes to a head, what will Winnie do?
🌈
I truly believe @nicolemelleby can do no wrong. For those who don’t think middle grade books matter or can deal with tough topics, hand them this #novel immediately. Everything from dealing with anger, being yourself, found family, depression and miscarriages, along with a wide range of issues about family and friends can all be found here written perfectly for this age group. Give it a read—it’s perfect for summer or any time!
CW: miscarriage, blood clotting, hospitalization, coming out theme, bullying, depression
4.5 ⭐️
☀️
Winnie is angry. Her parents sent her to live with her grumpy grandmother for the summer who doesn’t want a preteen around. That’s fine with Winnie because she doesn’t want to be there either. She wants to be back home with her chatty dad and pregnant mom whose smile has dimmed a lot over the years. Before she left her parents told her not to reveal that she likes girls to her grandmother so now Winnie feels like she’s not truly herself. When Winnie meets two local girls they become fast friends, even though it wasn’t what Winnie was looking for. But as the summer gets closer to the Pride festival in NYC that Winnie really wanted to go to, she finds herself thinking about that and all the things that could go wrong with her mother’s pregnancy. When it all comes to a head, what will Winnie do?
🌈
I truly believe @nicolemelleby can do no wrong. For those who don’t think middle grade books matter or can deal with tough topics, hand them this #novel immediately. Everything from dealing with anger, being yourself, found family, depression and miscarriages, along with a wide range of issues about family and friends can all be found here written perfectly for this age group. Give it a read—it’s perfect for summer or any time!
CW: miscarriage, blood clotting, hospitalization, coming out theme, bullying, depression
4.5 ⭐️
worldsgassiest's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cute! Covers serious topics in an accessible way for middle grade readers.