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Sunnyside Plaza
Wonder meets Three Times Lucky in a story of empowerment as a young woman decides to help solve the mystery of multiple suspicious deaths in her group home.
Sally Miyake can't read, but she learns lots of things. Like bricks are made of clay and Vitamin D comes from the sun. Sally is happy working in the kitchen at Sunnyside Plaza, the community center she lives in with other adults with developmental disabilities. For Sally and her friends, Sunnyside is the only home they've ever known.
Everything changes the day a resident unexpectedly dies. After a series of tragic events, detectives Esther Rivas and Lon Bridges begin asking questions. Are the incidents accidents? Or is something more disturbing happening?
The suspicious deaths spur the residents into taking the investigation into their own hands. But are people willing to listen?
Sunnyside Plaza is a human story of empowerment, empathy, hope, and generosity that shines a light on this very special world.
Sally Miyake can't read, but she learns lots of things. Like bricks are made of clay and Vitamin D comes from the sun. Sally is happy working in the kitchen at Sunnyside Plaza, the community center she lives in with other adults with developmental disabilities. For Sally and her friends, Sunnyside is the only home they've ever known.
Everything changes the day a resident unexpectedly dies. After a series of tragic events, detectives Esther Rivas and Lon Bridges begin asking questions. Are the incidents accidents? Or is something more disturbing happening?
The suspicious deaths spur the residents into taking the investigation into their own hands. But are people willing to listen?
Sunnyside Plaza is a human story of empowerment, empathy, hope, and generosity that shines a light on this very special world.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 21, 2020
39 people are currently reading
2252 people want to read
About the author
Scott Simon
51 books116 followersSCOTT SIMON is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters, having reported from all over the world and from many wars. He is now the award-winning host of Weekend Edition Saturday. With over 4 million listeners it is the most-listened to news program on NPR. Simon has won a Peabody and an Emmy for his reporting and also has over 1.2 million followers on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
October 18, 2019
Read ARC: I have no idea why children were the intended audience for this book, it seems more a short story for adults, or maybe YA? Also it's a neurotypical author teaching us how those with intellectual disabilities are 'just like us,' so some incidents of people reacting negatively to these adults in the world seemed really hyperbolic.
January 18, 2020
This story about a group home for mentally challenged adults fulfills the promise of its bright cover and reminder that "Kindness starts from within." Sally (Sal Gal) is 8 times 2 plus 3. She lives and works at Sunnyside Plaza. When one of the other residents suddenly passes away, the police come to the home to investigate. Within a short amount of time there is yet another death and a mysterious fall on the stairs due to a stroke. Do these unfortunate occurrences have anything to do with the medicine taken by the residents? Can Sal Gal and her friends in the home help the police? This book plays an important role in reminding us that we are all created in God's image and have value. I loved the way the police detectives got involved with the residents -- taking them on outings like a baseball game and even including them in their Passover celebration. As Esther points out, there are people put in front of us because we are not supposed to just walk past them.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2020
I read 2/3 of this book, but was having some major issues with the tokenism of people with disabilities that didn't improve. I also question the fact that this is being marketed to youth as these are adults with disabilities which in itself equates them to children.
August 26, 2020
This story is full of kind and considerate people, including main character Sally “Sal Gal” Miyake, a nineteen-old, developmentally challenged but by no mean unintelligent young woman. Sally lives in a home, along with other developmentally challenged adults, and she and the others spend their days chatting, colouring, and in Sally’s case, helping in the kitchen.
When some of the friends begin dying in quick succession, two kindly police officers become involved, and end up befriending the residents. So much so that they begin socializing with Sal, even while Sal and her friends begin investigating the deaths.
The resolution is quiet, and left a little open, but I got the sense that Sal Gal and the others were okay, and hints would return to peacefulness, albeit with visits from their new friends.
Kind of sweet, and relaxing to read a story where most of the people respect and care about one another.
When some of the friends begin dying in quick succession, two kindly police officers become involved, and end up befriending the residents. So much so that they begin socializing with Sal, even while Sal and her friends begin investigating the deaths.
The resolution is quiet, and left a little open, but I got the sense that Sal Gal and the others were okay, and hints would return to peacefulness, albeit with visits from their new friends.
Kind of sweet, and relaxing to read a story where most of the people respect and care about one another.
April 23, 2020
From an adult standpoint this is light reading. It has a tiny bit of amateur sleuthing, many likeable characters and is written in simple words. The MC, Sal Gal, is a 19 year old young woman and a resident of Sunnyside Plaza, a long term home for mentally challenged adults. Despite Sally's limited knowledge of the world, her views on everyday life is rather fascinating. We adults very often overthink everything, and Sally sees straight to the center of things. I really liked her and her cheerful approach to the hand the life has dealt her.
This is a story about human contrasts: those who offer kindness and those who offer contempt in the face of diversity and difference. Apart from short description of blood sustained in a fall, there is an ongoing discussion of death, afterlife and people's attitude towards people with mental disabilities from the POV of people with the aforementioned disabilities. This was author's interpretation of their mind set and thought process which I think he managed with care.
One thing to mention, which is a pet peeve of mine, is that there is no mention of the time frame or place where the events are happening. I dislike when that happens in the books immensely. Otherwise this was rather refreshing story.
This is a story about human contrasts: those who offer kindness and those who offer contempt in the face of diversity and difference. Apart from short description of blood sustained in a fall, there is an ongoing discussion of death, afterlife and people's attitude towards people with mental disabilities from the POV of people with the aforementioned disabilities. This was author's interpretation of their mind set and thought process which I think he managed with care.
One thing to mention, which is a pet peeve of mine, is that there is no mention of the time frame or place where the events are happening. I dislike when that happens in the books immensely. Otherwise this was rather refreshing story.
October 13, 2019
At first I thought this was The Curious Incident of the Strokes in the Group Home, but it turns out it's A Neurotypical Author Teaches Us a Very Important Lesson about People with Intellectual Disabilities.
February 12, 2020
I LOVED this book. The view from Sally's world was incredibly well done. The acceptance and love shown to everyone again was soothing and inspirational.
January 27, 2020
*Amazon Vine Review*
This was an enjoyable story about people with intellectual disabilities. I worked with this population for several years and the residents taught me so much. I still keep in contact with one of them to this day. This story showcases the stigma associated with people that have intellectual disabilities and this is something that needs to change. Some scenarios where a little over the top but as someone who has gone into the community with the individuals I have seen people look, stare and whisper.
Even though I enjoyed the book I must say that if my mom gave me this book to read at 8 years old, it would have most likely flown over my head. As an adult I totally get what message the author is trying to convey, especially after reading the author’s note. If you do select this book for your child I recommend reading and discussing it with them for a better understanding.
This was an enjoyable story about people with intellectual disabilities. I worked with this population for several years and the residents taught me so much. I still keep in contact with one of them to this day. This story showcases the stigma associated with people that have intellectual disabilities and this is something that needs to change. Some scenarios where a little over the top but as someone who has gone into the community with the individuals I have seen people look, stare and whisper.
Even though I enjoyed the book I must say that if my mom gave me this book to read at 8 years old, it would have most likely flown over my head. As an adult I totally get what message the author is trying to convey, especially after reading the author’s note. If you do select this book for your child I recommend reading and discussing it with them for a better understanding.
November 8, 2019
***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I wasn't really sure why this was geared towards children.
I wasn't really sure why this was geared towards children.
May 19, 2022
This book ended out on my shelves because of my many Saturdays spent with Scott Simon - so enjoy his gentle and kind outlook on the day - it helps me through.
This is a story about a group home for developmentally challenged adults, their community and support full of kindness and respect. When grief overshadows them with two close deaths, their group home comes under tight scrutiny, and Sal Gal (main character) pulls together a few of her friends and they investigate and solve problems that could have possibly swept their home out from under them.
Tender, short, will make you smile, and float along the gentle narrative stream that it is.
This is a story about a group home for developmentally challenged adults, their community and support full of kindness and respect. When grief overshadows them with two close deaths, their group home comes under tight scrutiny, and Sal Gal (main character) pulls together a few of her friends and they investigate and solve problems that could have possibly swept their home out from under them.
Tender, short, will make you smile, and float along the gentle narrative stream that it is.
December 2, 2019
This leans more towards 3.5 - between liked to really liked.
I liked this story. I could not get a complete gauge on the ages of all of the residents, especially Sal. The way she understood numbers was difficult for me to understand. Was she really telling me the math problem to solve her age?
This book reminded me a lot of a girl I was friends with back in my hometown. I felt like the church forced me to be friends with her, because it's what the elders wanted. I did it with no complaints, because she was really nice, sweet and completely innocent. She liked boys (I was always afraid they would try to take advantage of her because of her innocence) and scary movies. We would spend weekends camped out on her couch watching scary movie after scary movie. There was one boy who was a year older than me (2 years older than her) that started dating her. I oftentimes think he did it because it was the only reason why I would even talk to him. He had no friends. But then that made me think he was using her and I never wanted her to be hurt.
Sal Gal was a lot like my friend. Very helpful, very kind. She may have been a bit slow, but she always had a big heart. What "Sunnyside Plaza" does is help the outside world remember that these are people, too. There are so many people that try to throw people away because they are not perfect. Guess what? Nobody is perfect. It is in our imperfections that make us beautiful and unique.
Towards the end, the words you never want someone to say about people with learning disabilities came out. I kept wanting to scream, "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" People can be so evil. But Sal Gal, she stood up for herself and for her friends. I wanted to applaud when she did this.
I think it is very important that the author chose to include people on the outside. He helped bridge the gap between the two worlds. One thing Sal and her friends did was teach others to be kind and good. She taught people to open their hearts and show kindness to others. Sal and her friends do not have a mean bone in their body. Just by being in their presence, the outside world learned to be kinder human beings.
This book is perfect for teaching children about others with learning disabilities and the importance of including them in our lives. It will teach them to be kinder to all, and remind us that we, too, need to be kinder to them.
I liked this story. I could not get a complete gauge on the ages of all of the residents, especially Sal. The way she understood numbers was difficult for me to understand. Was she really telling me the math problem to solve her age?
This book reminded me a lot of a girl I was friends with back in my hometown. I felt like the church forced me to be friends with her, because it's what the elders wanted. I did it with no complaints, because she was really nice, sweet and completely innocent. She liked boys (I was always afraid they would try to take advantage of her because of her innocence) and scary movies. We would spend weekends camped out on her couch watching scary movie after scary movie. There was one boy who was a year older than me (2 years older than her) that started dating her. I oftentimes think he did it because it was the only reason why I would even talk to him. He had no friends. But then that made me think he was using her and I never wanted her to be hurt.
Sal Gal was a lot like my friend. Very helpful, very kind. She may have been a bit slow, but she always had a big heart. What "Sunnyside Plaza" does is help the outside world remember that these are people, too. There are so many people that try to throw people away because they are not perfect. Guess what? Nobody is perfect. It is in our imperfections that make us beautiful and unique.
Towards the end, the words you never want someone to say about people with learning disabilities came out. I kept wanting to scream, "Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" People can be so evil. But Sal Gal, she stood up for herself and for her friends. I wanted to applaud when she did this.
I think it is very important that the author chose to include people on the outside. He helped bridge the gap between the two worlds. One thing Sal and her friends did was teach others to be kind and good. She taught people to open their hearts and show kindness to others. Sal and her friends do not have a mean bone in their body. Just by being in their presence, the outside world learned to be kinder human beings.
This book is perfect for teaching children about others with learning disabilities and the importance of including them in our lives. It will teach them to be kinder to all, and remind us that we, too, need to be kinder to them.
February 3, 2020
I read this one in case I needed to hate it with a burning fire, like Wonder, but instead it just seemed extremely corny.
Let's Apply the Fries Test:
Q) Does a work have more than one disabled character? A) Definitely
Q) Do the disabled characters have their own narrative purpose other than the education and profit of a nondisabled character?
A) Ostensibly they have to solve a mystery, but Much Hay is Made of How Much Better Off the Abled Characters Are from Having Met the Disabled Characters.
Q) Is the character's disability not eradicated by either curing or killing?
A) Lots of disabled characters die in order to make this fit into the genre of mystery. But one is merely harmed. Nobody is cured, tho.
It really smacks of 'failed adult book shoehorned into middle grade'.
In short, if you are into inspiration porn, Chicago, baseball, the Cubs, 'multiculturalism' and NPR, you might like this one. Also, possibly Catholicism.
Let's Apply the Fries Test:
Q) Does a work have more than one disabled character? A) Definitely
Q) Do the disabled characters have their own narrative purpose other than the education and profit of a nondisabled character?
A) Ostensibly they have to solve a mystery, but Much Hay is Made of How Much Better Off the Abled Characters Are from Having Met the Disabled Characters.
Q) Is the character's disability not eradicated by either curing or killing?
A) Lots of disabled characters die in order to make this fit into the genre of mystery. But one is merely harmed. Nobody is cured, tho.
It really smacks of 'failed adult book shoehorned into middle grade'.
In short, if you are into inspiration porn, Chicago, baseball, the Cubs, 'multiculturalism' and NPR, you might like this one. Also, possibly Catholicism.
February 11, 2020
3 stars - I don't know this would be appropriate as a children's book - it's not. the characters are too old and the topic is not appropriate nor handled well. As a short story for adults, it's okay, but overall someone should have realized this would not be good material for children.
I received an ARC of this title at ALA.
I received an ARC of this title at ALA.
December 23, 2019
Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon is a short novel named for an adult group home, and narrated by one of the residents, Sally Miyake. Sal can’t read, or tie her shoes, but she notices things. When two deaths and a serious injury occur in the home, Sal gets to know the detectives that investigate the cases. The book is partly a mystery, but mainly about Sal’s acceptance of who she is, despite the attitudes of “outside” people.
I really liked Sal’s story. It’s unusual for a book for a middle-grade audience to be written from an adult perspective, even one with a childlike heart. The mystery is not as diabolical or heavy as I expected, but also feels a bit tame even for younger readers.
The relationships are where this story really shines. You can feel the affection Sal has for her friends, both old and new, and the love they feel for her. I liked the messages and themes of the book, and the peek inside a place most of us don’t often think about.
I really liked Sal’s story. It’s unusual for a book for a middle-grade audience to be written from an adult perspective, even one with a childlike heart. The mystery is not as diabolical or heavy as I expected, but also feels a bit tame even for younger readers.
The relationships are where this story really shines. You can feel the affection Sal has for her friends, both old and new, and the love they feel for her. I liked the messages and themes of the book, and the peek inside a place most of us don’t often think about.
December 16, 2019
This book made me very uncomfortable. The plot was ok but the way it was told was unsettling for me, and not in a good way.
January 27, 2020
I wanted to like this book. I really did. Being the parent of an adult son with an intellectual disability who lives in a residential program here in our home town, I was excited to see that there was a new juvenile fiction book that might truthfully portray the life of folks like my son. But this is not that book. My son lives in a group home with 2 other men, not an apartment like complex with 4 or 5 individuals sharing a room (I don't even think there are mini-institutional settings like that anymore as we know better now). His week is filled with a job and volunteer experiences that have him out in the community. His spare time is filled with time at the YMCA partaking of a fitness program, art classes, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, church activities, time being home with us for overnight visits, as well as, dinners and movies with friends. Like Sal Gal, he has trouble articulating his thoughts but I even thought the astuteness of the narrator was not a realistic portrayal. Our community is big-hearted and open and the kinds of public ostracism that I saw in Simon's book is something we rarely if ever see. The premise of mystery was even a bit chilling and again with so many inspections, regulations, and licensing, I would say far fetched. We need a book that truthfully and adequately portrays life in the community for folks with intellectual disabilities; it is not this one.
June 27, 2020
I very much enjoyed this book, between a four and five star, I tilted towards the five due to the warmth it brought. The reasons - the tone, the characters and the interactions between them and affection for them and between them. I think the book is good for the young age group it is intended (I certainly read a wide variety when I was young and would have liked this), also would be good/change of pace for teens (provoking maybe deeper thinking, not about their own angst), and I certainly enjoyed as an adult. Memories of my Great Aunt Rose, and others in my life.
February 17, 2020
I'm really struggling with this one. I don't think it's a book for kids, but I guess they decided to market it to kids because Sally and her peers have a childlike mentality...? And that's before you even get into the issue of do these disabled characters only exists to make the able-bodied charaters in the story "better" people. The idea was good but the execution of it was not great. I think this was a misfire, should have been written for adults with a more complex and in depth mystery.
February 28, 2020
This is a wonderful quick read and great story. Having worked with the physically and mentally challenged individuals, Simon creates very believable characters and gives them the wonderful qualities so many have. I hope many, many people read this book especially those who have not had the privilege of personally knowing how loving and wonderful many are.
January 25, 2020
Sally Miyake is 19 years old. She lives at Sunnyside Plaza, a home for developmentally delayed adults. She has friends of all ages and ethnicities whom we meet through the pages of the book. Two of the residents die in the story, one of them older but one of them only middle-aged. The police come to Sunnyside to investigate, and Sal and her friends decide they need to help if at all possible.
One of the things that we learn early on is that while Sal cannot read, she is observant. She pays attention to things around her and is able to explain them to others. Her observation skills set everyone on the road to figuring out "whodunnit."
This is a middle-grade novel, so there is no real violence on the page (the deaths are not gory or anything). What I found especially nice in this little novel is the aforementioned representations: Sal is Japanese, for example, and one o the police officers is African-American while the other is a Jewish Latina.
Seeing positive representation of both people of color and people with developmental disabilities was, in my opinion, a very good thing. I believe that books like this can help young people get past prejudices and/or fears. Nicely done.
One of the things that we learn early on is that while Sal cannot read, she is observant. She pays attention to things around her and is able to explain them to others. Her observation skills set everyone on the road to figuring out "whodunnit."
This is a middle-grade novel, so there is no real violence on the page (the deaths are not gory or anything). What I found especially nice in this little novel is the aforementioned representations: Sal is Japanese, for example, and one o the police officers is African-American while the other is a Jewish Latina.
Seeing positive representation of both people of color and people with developmental disabilities was, in my opinion, a very good thing. I believe that books like this can help young people get past prejudices and/or fears. Nicely done.
February 17, 2020
I enjoyed this story but I'm an adult. Not sure it's appropriate for kids. It's worth being out there in print, but with a protagonist aged 2*8+3 (19) it breaks all the rules of writing for the 8-12-year-old reader who solves his/her own problems. Another book of many coming out these days that will leave editors, agents and reviewers (not to mention parents) scratching their heads as to shelf placement, but I really did enjoy it. I'm with other reviewers who rated this a bit lower (but it certainly did NOT deserve one star) because they felt it wasn't suitable for kids. Initially I gave this 4 stars, then realized it should probably be more like 3.5. I'll leave it as 4.
Read
February 17, 2020Ages 8 and up?? No. It’s a grown up book to me.
August 19, 2020
Simple, sweet book about special needs people in a group home. “Sometimes life puts people in front of you so you don’t walk past them”.
February 12, 2020
I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I might give it 2 1/2 stars if Goodreads gave half stars. While the concept of the book has merit, the actual writing felt cloying and I kept thinking the author was trying too hard to make his novel interesting. Maybe it reads that way because of the narrator, Sal Gal, and how she sees the world. There's too much here that doesn't work, no matter the point of view or narration.
January 26, 2020
I loved this book. Sally Miyake is a 19-year old resident of Sunnyside Plaza. In spite of the challenges she faces she carries on each day happy with her routine and her friends . What causes the death of one of the residents leads them all on an escapade and the chance to meet new friends.
I hope that there will be a sequel to this book.
I hope that there will be a sequel to this book.
Want to read
June 27, 2019Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at ALA Annual 2019.
November 18, 2019
I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sunnyside Plaza is a residential home for adults with cognitive impairments. Sally, known affectionately as Sal Gal, loves it there. She works in the kitchen with Conrad, helping make sandwiches and fishing for fruit in cans. When several residents suffer strokes, London Bridgrs and his partner Esther turn up to investigate why.
I liked the book, the character and story. Where I got stuck on this book was that it's a middle grade novel and I think it will struggle to find it's audience. I think most kids in the middle grade age bracket will struggle to relate to the adult characters.
Sunnyside Plaza is a residential home for adults with cognitive impairments. Sally, known affectionately as Sal Gal, loves it there. She works in the kitchen with Conrad, helping make sandwiches and fishing for fruit in cans. When several residents suffer strokes, London Bridgrs and his partner Esther turn up to investigate why.
I liked the book, the character and story. Where I got stuck on this book was that it's a middle grade novel and I think it will struggle to find it's audience. I think most kids in the middle grade age bracket will struggle to relate to the adult characters.
January 9, 2020
It’s listed as a children’s chapter book, but if you’re in the mood for something light and positive, this short little book is just the ticket. Reading as an adult I wasn’t bothered by the lower reading level writing style because the shorter sentence length and simpler vocabulary was perfect for a story written in first person by a mentally challenged woman. Sally Miyake and her friends live a simple life in a nurturing group home. When a couple of the residents die within a short time, the police become involved. Sal Gal meets new friends, goes to a baseball game, solves a crime and saves the day. The story is humorous and kind, sweet and inclusive.
July 4, 2020
Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon, 208 pages. Little, Brown and Company, 2020. $17.
Language: PG (1 swear 0 'f') - several instances of "butts"; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
18yo Sally lives in a group home, Sunnyside Plaza for developmentally disabled adults. She also works in the kitchen there. When a 2nd resident dies unexpectedly and a third suffers a stroke, the police look into it, asking Sally and the others to let them know if they notice anything unusual. But the residents are used to not being listened to, so will their investigation be taken seriously?
Although this is published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, with the exception of Sally being 18, I didn't see much YA about it, nor do I think my middle school students would be interested. It's an easy read and short - probably too short for adults. It think the audience for this book is NPR fans of Scott Simon. I was underwhelmed with the story, thought the characters felt stereotypical - the funny names of the policeman (London Bridges) and his girlfriend felt contrived to appeal to a young audience. All in all, I was disappointed, not likely to purchase.
Lisa Morey
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Language: PG (1 swear 0 'f') - several instances of "butts"; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: LOW
18yo Sally lives in a group home, Sunnyside Plaza for developmentally disabled adults. She also works in the kitchen there. When a 2nd resident dies unexpectedly and a third suffers a stroke, the police look into it, asking Sally and the others to let them know if they notice anything unusual. But the residents are used to not being listened to, so will their investigation be taken seriously?
Although this is published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers, with the exception of Sally being 18, I didn't see much YA about it, nor do I think my middle school students would be interested. It's an easy read and short - probably too short for adults. It think the audience for this book is NPR fans of Scott Simon. I was underwhelmed with the story, thought the characters felt stereotypical - the funny names of the policeman (London Bridges) and his girlfriend felt contrived to appeal to a young audience. All in all, I was disappointed, not likely to purchase.
Lisa Morey
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
August 25, 2019
Scott Simon's an American treasure, and this book--well, this book is too. Not only does it celebrate the ordinary lives of people who might be a bit outside the mainstream, but it does it with grace, dignity and gentle humor. I love books that make me see the world differently, that illuminate life for me--and this book did. Thanks, Scott Simon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews