- Contemporary
- Graphic Novels
- Ages 8–12
The shape of it
The shape of this universe.
Sunny is Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm's autobiographical-feeling middle-grade graphic novel franchise about Sunny Lewin growing up in the 1970s and gradually understanding family, friendship, responsibility and herself. The series begins with real emotional weight around Sunny's older brother, substance use and family strain, then moves into more everyday coming-of-age territory: school, friendships, work, hobbies, ambition and independence. It is warm, funny and very readable, but the earliest books in particular are not purely cosy; they carry a thoughtful family-health thread beneath the nostalgic comedy.
A warm, funny and thoughtful middle-grade graphic novel series about growing up, family strain, independence and finding your own place.
Primary themes
Tone palette
- Funny
- Warm
- Heartwarming
- Thought provoking
The series
One way in.
Cultural footprint
A shelf of evidence.
What Sunny has done
- Bestseller list
Cultural ubiquity
3/ 5Well-known to people who know the room.
Sensitivity
Moderate, and collection-wide.
Content notes
- Substance references
- Mental health
Across the collection
All 6 books.
About the creator