Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon

Abstract

Reviewed by: Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon Quinita Balderson Simon, Scott Sunnyside Plaza. Little, 2020 [208p] Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-316-53120-7 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-316-53119-1 $9.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 4-6 Sally "Sal Gal" Miyake, nineteen-year-old resident of Sunnyside Plaza, a group home for people with developmental disabilities, loves her home, but when two deaths and a friend's life-altering event occur within a few weeks, she begins to question whether anyone who lives there is safe. Detectives Rivas and Bridges, who bond with Sal as they investigate the events, explore the possibility that something sinister is cooking at Sunnyside and trust her to do some investigating of her own that points authorities to the guilty party. Simon delivers a unique story told from the perspective of Sal, a person with an intellectual disability; while unqualified bystanders give their opinions regarding the quality of life she and her friends must have, the framing of the book makes it clear that her voice is valued by many. Sal acknowledges that she and her housemates are "different," and she's not totally unbothered by the stares, sideways insults that she's not supposed to understand, or the patronizing behavior, but the fact that she continues to remain a kind person despite all of that is encouraging. Recommend this book to readers who enjoyed Martin's Rain Reign (BCCB 12/14). Copyright © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois