If you loved

Books like Sunny side up

A sun-drenched, bittersweet summer vacation that slowly peels back the curtain on the confusing realities of growing up with family secrets. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Sunny side up.

sun-drenched
quietly anxious
hopeful
retro

01
Sisters
Raina Telgemeier
A funny, deeply relatable ride through the cramped quarters of a family road trip and the even tighter confines of sisterhood.
Shares:
- nostalgic
02
Babymouse
Jennifer L. Holm · 2005
A burst of pink-tinted, chaotic energy that perfectly captures the dramatic highs and lows of elementary school life.
Feels:
- energetic
- whimsical
- lighthearted
03
All's faire in middle school
Victoria Jamieson
A warm, visually engaging exploration of the awkward clash between a quirky, theatrical family life and the harsh realities of public middle school.
Shares:
- earnest
- empathetic
04
Penny from heaven
Jennifer L. Holm · 2006
A warm, bittersweet summer steeped in family secrets, baseball, and the rich, chaotic love of an Italian American upbringing.
Shares:
- earnest
- bittersweet
- nostalgic
05
Julie Tells Her Story
Megan McDonald
A gentle, historical exploration of a young reader navigating the emotional ripples of family change and the courage it takes to be honest.
Shares:
- earnest
- nostalgic
- gentle
06
The Bell Bandit
Davies, Jacqueline
A gentle, wintry mystery that wraps a poignant exploration of family changes inside a satisfying neighborhood whodunit.
Shares:
- earnest
- nostalgic
- empathetic
07
The Truth About Stacey
Raina Telgemeier
A warm, energetic exploration of middle school friendships and the quiet courage it takes to own your truth.
Shares:
- earnest
- empathetic
08
Eggs
Jerry Spinelli
A quirky, bittersweet exploration of how two broken pieces can sometimes fit together to make something whole.
Shares:
- bittersweet
- empathetic
09
Hey, Kiddo
Jarrett Krosoczka
A tender, beautifully illustrated journey through the chaos of a fractured family, anchored by the salvation found in a sketchbook.
Shares:
- hopeful
- bittersweet
- nostalgic
10
Double Down
Jeff Kinney
A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud exploration of middle school chaos, misguided ambition, and the eternal struggle to get your parents off your back.
Feels:
- chaotic
- lighthearted
- energetic
11
Jimmy Corrigan
Chris Ware · 2006
A meticulously constructed, heartbreakingly beautiful monument to profound loneliness and generational failure.
Shares:
- nostalgic
- empathetic
12
Olive's ocean
Kevin Henkes
A quiet, ocean-scented summer of reflection, where a young girl navigates the bittersweet currents of grief, family, and first crushes.
Shares:
- earnest
- bittersweet
- gentle

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