The Secret Sunshine Project

By Author / Illustrator

Benjamin Dean

Genre

LBGTQ+

Age range(s)

Publisher

Simon & Schuster Ltd

ISBN

9781471199752

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

31-03-2022

Synopsis

A heart-warming story of kindness, courage and love in all its forms from the author of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow. Perfect for 9+ readers and fans of Elle McNicoll, Lisa Thompson and Onjali Rauf.

Bea's family are happy. Like, really happy. Like, kind of gross but also cute happy. So when they visit London Pride together and have the ultimate day out, Bea doesn't think her family could possibly get any happier. But a year later, a grey cloud is following Bea's family around. Dad has passed away, and without him around they have no choice but to pack their bags and move to the countryside to live with Gran.

With Bea's big sister, Riley, taking the news hard, Bea will do anything to cheer her up. So with the help of new friends, The Secret Sunshine Project is formed - Bea's plan to bring Pride to the countryside and a smile back to Riley's face. There's just one teeny tiny problem - the village mayor. A grumpy old woman who's on a mission to rain on Bea's parade . . .

Praise for The Secret Sunshine Project: 'Warm-hearted and cheering, with a dash of sparkle' - Guardian. 'Utter sunshine in book form! Benjamin Dean has done it again' - Sophy Henn, author of Pizzaz.

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Reviews

Shortly after the death of their father, Bea, Riley and their mum leave their home in London to stay with their Gran in the country. Last summer, after Riley had come out as gay, the family had had the best day ever at London Pride and memories of this special, colourful day make their current situation seem all the more bleak. As Bea makes new friends, she is concerned by her sister's sadness and decides to create an event that will put the smile back on her face. However, the village is dominated by the unpleasant Rita Ruckus who is determined that nothing will get in the way of her summer fete…particularly not Bea's Secret Sunshine Project.

The Secret Sunshine Project is a delightful story of kindness, love and courage. Bea's family is close knit, loving and supportive and this shines through in the way in which they throw themselves into the Pride celebrations to support Riley. The joyful descriptions of these celebrations, full of colour, excitement and laughter, are wonderful to read and create a stark contrast to everyone's emotions following the death of their father. The story clearly shows how grief affects different people in different ways and how people cope with the overwhelming emotions it causes. Bea feels she has to be strong for others; Riley becomes withdrawn and angry; and mum struggles to help them whilst struggling to cope herself.

The story overflows with fabulous characters - each worth a mention! Bea is just delightful and her devotion to her sister, whilst coping with her own grief, is beautifully captured. Although her summer plans have been ruined, she is determined to make the best of her new situation and bring happiness to others. Gran is the best ever - such a strong, determined woman with such pizazz and such heart - I'd love to have her on my side in an argument!

Understanding and acceptance are strong themes through the book and its positive ending leaves the reader with a real feel-good factor and plenty of hope for the future. Sandhya Prabhat's fabulous illustrations capture the mood and heart of the story perfectly, with the cover illustration being a personal favourite. A fabulous book for sharing for so many reasons, The Secret Sunshine Project is a brilliant story full of a few tears and lots of love and laughter!

336 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher