Families who loved The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James by Ashley Herring Blake often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child is navigating a major life transition, whether it is a physical recovery or a shift in their understanding of their own identity and family. It is a deeply empathetic choice for middle schoolers who feel like they are standing on the precipice of a new version of themselves and need a story that validates both their fear and their courage. After surviving heart surgery, twelve-year-old Sunny St. James creates a New Life Plan to embrace her second chance. However, her world is complicated by the return of her estranged mother and the realization that her feelings for her new best friend, Quinn, are more than just platonic. This tender, contemporary novel handles themes of LGBTQ+ identity and medical trauma with grace, offering a hopeful roadmap for kids learning to trust their own hearts.
