The Sunshine Simpson series is full of delightfully honest stories of family and growing up. A celebration of the Jamaican culture in the UK, Friends Always and Forever takes readers on an adventure all the way to the Caribbean. Sunshine’s flamboyant Aunt Sharon has won the lottery with Grandad Bobby’s lucky numbers and she’s treating the entire family to the holiday of a lifetime. They’re off to Jamaica where Sunshine’s grandparents grew up and the family has so many memories. Sunshine has really missed her Grandad Bobby since he passed away last year. She feels sad about going to Jamaica without him but knows he would tell her to go and have her own adventures.
Full of facts about life in Jamaica, readers will learn so much about the culture – how it’s different from the UK and what the Windrush generation brought with them. Sunshine’s parents have such mixed feelings about travelling back – a combination of excitement to be going, guilt about staying away so long and a sense of obligation they can’t quite fulfill. Living internationally from friends and family myself, I completely understand their feelings that have been portrayed so clearly.
Sunshine’s parents’ wedding anniversary is while they are away. Her dad comes up with the brilliant idea for them to renew their vows while in Jamaica. Suddenly, Sunshine is a secret wedding planner with lots to do! Her kindness, generosity and creative thinking combined with her off-beat, quirky family creates a joyful story full of treasured memories and new beginnings that readers will devour.
There is so much to say about this brilliant book. Themes of transition to high school, worries about friendships, meeting family from far away, working as a team with siblings and cousins, struggling to say good-bye to loved ones, relationships with parents and exciting new experiences are all presented in an accessible story about a charming family.
Thank you to Usborne for this super, summery book!
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