THE TROUBLE WITH SUNSHINE

Thirteen-year-old Dorani Gutierrez loves her life in Miami amid a lively mix of Latin American cultures where she, as a Puerto Rican and Argentinian girl, blends in with her classmates. She’s a strong advocate for “truth and justice,” even when that means breaking the rules. But when her mother has a fatal heart attack on the way to speak with the principal after Dorani’s latest rebellion, her whole world shatters. With her absent movie star father on set in Mongolia, Dorani goes to live in Wyoming with her estranged aunt. Tía Ivette seems cold and prickly to Dorani, but she’s an expert at her job: running a ranch where she trains and rehabilitates horses with behavioral issues. Dorani feels an instant connection with one mare, Sunshine, who survived a terrible accident and is now mistrustful of humans. As Tía Ivette teaches her how to care for Sunshine, Dorani sees in the horse’s progress echoes of her own grief and slow healing. When she starts to notice injustices at her new multicultural middle school, it takes all her strength and courage to stand up for what’s right in her new home. The quickly wrapped up ending may leave readers feeling disoriented and vaguely let down, but the rich emotional center grounding this novel will stay with them.

Mar 4, 2025 - 07:22

Thirteen-year-old Dorani Gutierrez loves her life in Miami amid a lively mix of Latin American cultures where she, as a Puerto Rican and Argentinian girl, blends in with her classmates. She’s a strong advocate for “truth and justice,” even when that means breaking the rules. But when her mother has a fatal heart attack on the way to speak with the principal after Dorani’s latest rebellion, her whole world shatters. With her absent movie star father on set in Mongolia, Dorani goes to live in Wyoming with her estranged aunt. Tía Ivette seems cold and prickly to Dorani, but she’s an expert at her job: running a ranch where she trains and rehabilitates horses with behavioral issues. Dorani feels an instant connection with one mare, Sunshine, who survived a terrible accident and is now mistrustful of humans. As Tía Ivette teaches her how to care for Sunshine, Dorani sees in the horse’s progress echoes of her own grief and slow healing. When she starts to notice injustices at her new multicultural middle school, it takes all her strength and courage to stand up for what’s right in her new home. The quickly wrapped up ending may leave readers feeling disoriented and vaguely let down, but the rich emotional center grounding this novel will stay with them.