Sunny Sweet Is So Not Sorry

Gr 3–5—When Masha Sweet wakes up with flowers stuck in her hair and her head glued to a pillow, she knows her sister, Sunny, aka the evil genius, is to blame. Because there isn't enough time to get the glue out of her hair before school, Masha's mom lets her stay home. In addition to dealing with her super-smart, super-annoying younger sister, fifth-grader Masha is having a hard time making friends at her new school following her parents' divorce, so she is more than willing to skip class. Masha soon discovers her neighbor, Mrs. Song, has fallen off her bicycle in front of the house. Sunny is there moments later, and when the paramedics arrive, the girls ride along in the ambulance. At the hospital, high jinks prevail as Masha's arm is mistakenly put in a cast and Sunny gets her in all kinds of trouble. When Masha meets some of the kids at the hospital, she discovers how lucky she really is, even if her sister drives her crazy. While some of the events that take place in the hospital are hard to believe, children will be able to suspend disbelief. Although the main character is in fifth grade, this book will find fans among younger readers. Black-and-white illustrations contribute to the humor in this tale of sisterly adventures.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH