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thebookishnarwhal's review
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
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
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
majaolivia18's review
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
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
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
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.
tayberryjelly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
bruhnette's review
adventurous
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Winnie Nash sounds like the name of an elderly woman, but surprise! The Winnie Nash in this book is a 12-year-old girl. However, she is spending the summer at her grandmother's retirement community. This is to make her mom's life a little less stressful as she tries to finish out her pregnancy after suffering numerous miscarriages. Winnie does NOT want to be the only kid with a bunch of seniors. She's not particularly close with her grandma either. To top it all off, she has been told not to discuss things inside the home with people outside the home - things like her mother's miscarriages and the fact that Winnie has liked girls for her entire life.
Things start looking up when Winnie meets two girls her age and starts hanging out with them, Still, she wishes she didn't have to keep so many secrets from her grandmother and her friends. She is also dying to go to New York City's Pride parade but how can she get there without telling her grandma?
I love the way this story centers around the idea that letting those around us in almost always proves to be a good thing. I also love the way that Winnie and her grandmother's relationship blossoms and flourishes over the course of the story. What I didn't care for was the writing style. The author frequently referenced Winnie by name when it really wasn't necessary. t made the writing feel a little clunky and juvenile. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. It's a great summer (or anytime) read for upper elementary readers.
Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for a review copy of this title.
Things start looking up when Winnie meets two girls her age and starts hanging out with them, Still, she wishes she didn't have to keep so many secrets from her grandmother and her friends. She is also dying to go to New York City's Pride parade but how can she get there without telling her grandma?
I love the way this story centers around the idea that letting those around us in almost always proves to be a good thing. I also love the way that Winnie and her grandmother's relationship blossoms and flourishes over the course of the story. What I didn't care for was the writing style. The author frequently referenced Winnie by name when it really wasn't necessary. t made the writing feel a little clunky and juvenile. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. It's a great summer (or anytime) read for upper elementary readers.
Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for a review copy of this title.