A Place to Shine

Ten-year-old Sunny Williams is resilient—she knows this because it’s what her beloved grandma, Nanna, always tells her. So when Nanna is put into a care home after her memory loss issues get worse and social workers intend to put Sunny and her seven-year-old brother, Miles, into a foster home, she takes charge and hatches a plan for them to avoid getting split up.

Luckily, Sunny also realizes Nanna has left her a message in the form of their favorite story. With the help of their guide (and temporary guardian), Mr. Darrious Evens, and her best friend, Folake, Sunny embarks on a quest to collect the three magical ingredients that are sure to cure Nanna’s dementia and help them find their way home again.

Mr. Evens also happens to be the choir director, and he encourages Sunny, with her beautiful singing voice, to perform in front of the school, even though Nanna isn’t there to cheer her on. Sunny’s quest to fix her nanna will lead her to understand herself and what’s important—and that home can be any place you feel loved.

This heartfelt and hopeful middle grade novel is a perfect story for young readers navigating big changes and discovering their own place to shine.

• A Powerful Sibling Story: Determined to stay together against all odds, ten-year-old Sunny must protect her seven-year-old brother, Miles, when they are threatened with being separated by the foster care system.
• Dealing with a Loved One’s Illness: A sensitive and honest portrayal of a beloved grandmother’s dementia, and a child’s imaginative quest to find a magical cure and make things right.
• An Unlikely Friendship: When Sunny and Miles are forced to rely on their grumpy new choir director, Mr. Evens, they discover that sometimes the most unexpected people can make you feel at home.
• The Power of Music: Sunny has a gift for singing, but with her Nanna no longer in the audience to cheer her on, she must find a new source of courage to step into the spotlight.

Praise for I RISE: "Arnold threads Black history, culture, and current events into her narrative, giving the reader a firsthand view of what it means to be young and Black in New York City today through Ayo’s experiences. A powerful and very engaging story of a strong, determined young lady and a call for social justice and understanding." - School Library Journal (starred review)

Praise for THE YEAR I FLEW AWAY: "This refreshing middle-grade story offers a 'new kid' narrative that defines the heart of what it means to be American in today’s world. Arnold champions the beauty and complexity of Gabrielle's culture, which is intensified by Caribbean mysticism, an unlikely (yet highly influential) character, and the bustling backdrop of the City of Dreams. The beauty of this book lies in its depiction of not only the joy and excitement but the sacrifice and weight of immigration for young people. Arnold is thorough and intentional in fleshing out what it means for Gabrielle to support her family back in Haiti, which heightens the stakes of her choices, making readers even more deeply invested into her success. This book will shift the notion of what exactly it means to be Black, to be an immigrant, and to fit in and be accepted." - Booklist (starred review)

“This quietly uplifting and hopeful tale examines everyday magic, the processing of grief, and the strength of family and community. [Sunny’s] exuberant voice and hyperbolic tendencies add zest to this fanciful read.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Sunny is a funny and relatable character, and readers will identify with her gumption and loyalty. Quirky Miles and Folake add another layer of fun to this story, whose pacing and humor make for an enjoyable read. A compelling look at familial support that comes from unexpected people and places.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Ultimately uplifting. [A] beautiful novel. For fans of Merci Suarez or books by Sharon Draper and Nikki Grimes, this is at once both heartbreaking and bursting with joy. Truly a triumphant read for middle-graders everywhere.” - Booklist