The Sun Will Come Out - by Joanne Levy (Paperback)

About the Book

In this novel for middle-grade readers, painfully shy Beatrice Gelman ends up at summer camp all by herself.

Book Synopsis

The Sun Will Come Out is a funny and heartwarming account of a shy girl's first summer away from home, where she learns she really can do anything and that silver linings can be found just about anywhere.

Twelve-year-old Bea Gelman and her best friend Frankie are planning the BEST SUMMER EVER at Camp Shalom--a sleep-away camp. But at the last minute, Frankie bows out, leaving painfully shy Bea on her own. Just talking to strangers causes Bea to break out into ugly, blotchy hives. As if the hives weren't bad enough, Bea gets pranked by a couple of girls in her cabin and is betrayed by someone she thought was a new friend. Bea has had enough! She decides to spend her summer in the infirmary far away from everything that's stressing her out. No more boys (including her crush, Jeremy), no more horrible mean girls, and no more fake friends! At the infirmary, Bea meets Harry, a boy facing challenges way more intense than stress breakouts. Inspired by Harry's strength and positive outlook, Bea decides to face her fears--in a big way.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Review Quotes

"The characters work through age-appropriate drama, including misunderstandings, relationships, accepting differences, and building self-confidence."

-- "BC Books for Schools"

"Books about gaining independence at summer camp are a crowded field, but there is plenty of room for this sweet, fresh take."-- "School Library Journal (SLJ)"

"Levy's work is sweet and inspiring...Through this realistic depiction of a shy girl's first summer away from home, this novel teaches its reader that being different doesn't may you an outcast and that this is always a silver lining."-- "Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children's Book News"

"The challenges Bea faces will be familiar to readers of all backgrounds...She is a realistic and relatable eleven-year-old girl who learns and grows in a delightful coming-of-age tale."-- "Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL)"

"Levy's narrative is spot on."-- "Booklist"

"A story very much on target for its pre-teen audience, especially its pre-teen Jewish audience. Recommended."-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"The story gives voice to the experience of Jewish preteens; chronic illness and disability are also sensitively tackled in this complex tale about difference, acceptance, and self-confidence. A heartfelt tear-jerker about love, friendship, and courage."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author

Joanne Levy is the author of a number of books for young people, including Double Trouble and Fish Out of Water in the Orca Currents line, the middle-grade novels Crushing It and the Red Maple Award-nominated Small Medium At Large. She lives in Clinton, Ontario.