What do you think?
Rate this book
Sunny Days Inside: and Other Stories
When the “grownup virus” hits, kids who live in the same apartment building must cope with strange new rules and extended time at home with parents and siblings.
And they survive brilliantly, each in their own way. Twin boys throw themselves into an independent research assignment on prehistoric people and embrace their own devolution. A budding track star is encouraged to run laps on his balcony by a neighbor who has a secret crush on him. A classroom troublemaker reaches out to a teacher when his own father begins to exhibit signs of mental illness. A young entrepreneur saves himself and his hairdresser mother from financial collapse by renting out the family dog. And a girl finds a way to communicate with her hearing-impaired neighbor so that they can spy on the rest of the building.
The stories follow the course of the pandemic, from the early measures through lockdown, as the kids in the building observe the stresses on the adults around them and use their own quirky kid ingenuity to come up with ways to make their lives better. Funny, poignant and wise, this book will long outlive even the pandemic.
And they survive brilliantly, each in their own way. Twin boys throw themselves into an independent research assignment on prehistoric people and embrace their own devolution. A budding track star is encouraged to run laps on his balcony by a neighbor who has a secret crush on him. A classroom troublemaker reaches out to a teacher when his own father begins to exhibit signs of mental illness. A young entrepreneur saves himself and his hairdresser mother from financial collapse by renting out the family dog. And a girl finds a way to communicate with her hearing-impaired neighbor so that they can spy on the rest of the building.
The stories follow the course of the pandemic, from the early measures through lockdown, as the kids in the building observe the stresses on the adults around them and use their own quirky kid ingenuity to come up with ways to make their lives better. Funny, poignant and wise, this book will long outlive even the pandemic.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2021
1 person is currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Adderson
55 books78 followersCaroline Adderson grew up in Alberta. After traveling around Canada, she moved to B.C. to go to university and has mostly lived there ever since. She started writing seriously after university, eventually going on to write two internationally published novels (A History of Forgetting and Sitting Practice) and two collections of short stories for adults (Bad Imaginings and Pleased To Meet You). When her son was five, she began writing seriously unserious books for young readers (Very Serious Children; I, Bruno;and Bruno For Real). Her contribution to the Single Voice series is her first really serious book for young readers and her first book for teens.
Caroline’s work has received numerous prize nominations including the Scotiabank Giller Prize longlist, the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. A two-time Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and three-time CBC Literary Award winner, Caroline was also the recipient of the 2006 Marian Engel Award, given annually to an outstanding female writer in mid-career in recognition of her body of work. She also won the 2009 Diamond Willow Award—voted on by lots of nice kids in Saskatchewan—for her children’s novel Very Serious Children.
Caroline keeps writing for readers of all ages every day. She also does a little teaching at Simon Fraser University and hangs out with her husband, a filmmaker, their 10-year-old son, and their naughty dog, Mickey, a Jack Russell terrier who is very lucky to be cute or she would never get away with all she does. Caroline’s advice to young writers is to read, read, read and write, write, write, and never get a Jack Russell terrier.
Caroline’s work has received numerous prize nominations including the Scotiabank Giller Prize longlist, the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. A two-time Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and three-time CBC Literary Award winner, Caroline was also the recipient of the 2006 Marian Engel Award, given annually to an outstanding female writer in mid-career in recognition of her body of work. She also won the 2009 Diamond Willow Award—voted on by lots of nice kids in Saskatchewan—for her children’s novel Very Serious Children.
Caroline keeps writing for readers of all ages every day. She also does a little teaching at Simon Fraser University and hangs out with her husband, a filmmaker, their 10-year-old son, and their naughty dog, Mickey, a Jack Russell terrier who is very lucky to be cute or she would never get away with all she does. Caroline’s advice to young writers is to read, read, read and write, write, write, and never get a Jack Russell terrier.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 4, 2021
This is an excellent collection of linked stories about the kids in an apartment building located across from a hospital during the Covid shutdown. Boredom, loneliness, angry parents, parents who have lost jobs, sibling fights, this collection has it all! The families are multicultural, one is headed by two Moms, gradually the kids connect in a variety of ways as the unbearable shutdown carries on. One boy who acts out at school even comes to realize how good his teacher has been for his class. Two girls create their own Harriet the Spy friendship, with one of them learning ASL. I loved this book, and if I had a Grade 2-5 class, I would read these out loud to them. If you have kids who weathered the shutdown, this would be a great read!
July 6, 2022
A unique and relatable interpretation of life for children during the pandemic. I liked how each story tied together in the last chapter. These stories showed the resilience of children, the fears that were faced and the determination to get through a difficult situation.
September 15, 2022
This is a cute book full of simple, relatable stories. I found the characters interesting and authentic. Fun to read.
December 19, 2025
Sunny Days Inside by Caroline Adderson is a heartwarming and insightful collection that captures the ingenuity, resilience, and humor of children navigating unprecedented times. Set during the pandemic, the stories chronicle how kids in the same apartment building respond to extended time indoors and the “grownup virus” that disrupts daily life.
Adderson’s storytelling shines through her keen observation of child psychology, humor, and compassion, offering readers moments that are simultaneously funny, poignant, and inspiring. Each child demonstrates a unique approach to adapting, problem solving, and maintaining joy, from the twins exploring prehistoric life, to a young track star improvising balcony workouts, to a budding entrepreneur finding creative ways to help his family.
The book succeeds not only as a chronicle of childhood ingenuity but also as a timely reflection on empathy, problem solving, and connection. It provides subtle commentary on adult anxieties and family dynamics while keeping the perspective firmly grounded in the kids’ inventive worldviews. With sharp, engaging prose, Sunny Days Inside is both entertaining and emotionally resonant a story collection that will remain relevant far beyond the pandemic.
Adderson’s storytelling shines through her keen observation of child psychology, humor, and compassion, offering readers moments that are simultaneously funny, poignant, and inspiring. Each child demonstrates a unique approach to adapting, problem solving, and maintaining joy, from the twins exploring prehistoric life, to a young track star improvising balcony workouts, to a budding entrepreneur finding creative ways to help his family.
The book succeeds not only as a chronicle of childhood ingenuity but also as a timely reflection on empathy, problem solving, and connection. It provides subtle commentary on adult anxieties and family dynamics while keeping the perspective firmly grounded in the kids’ inventive worldviews. With sharp, engaging prose, Sunny Days Inside is both entertaining and emotionally resonant a story collection that will remain relevant far beyond the pandemic.
September 1, 2021
This was a surpassingly readable approach to “Covid times” from the perspective of middle grade kids living in the same apartment building , across from a major urban hospital, during the first months of lockdown.
First, I didn’t think I’d want to read about this subject, at least for a while.
But in reading 8 realized that, as confused s adults were by the process and consequence of living through a pandemic, it was even more Storting and disconcerting for kids. Their world view is eg9 centric, yet MG age kids recognize external forces and impacts on them and on their families.
8 can see this being an excellent choice as a read aloud as in person teaching resumes, as well as offering a prompt for writing personal perspectives focused on personal/impact rather than on the broader subject of the pandemic itself.
First, I didn’t think I’d want to read about this subject, at least for a while.
But in reading 8 realized that, as confused s adults were by the process and consequence of living through a pandemic, it was even more Storting and disconcerting for kids. Their world view is eg9 centric, yet MG age kids recognize external forces and impacts on them and on their families.
8 can see this being an excellent choice as a read aloud as in person teaching resumes, as well as offering a prompt for writing personal perspectives focused on personal/impact rather than on the broader subject of the pandemic itself.
November 19, 2021
Seven short stories each feature a different point of view from the kids living in one apartment block; three are in a boy’s point of view. An eighth chapter then brings all the points of views and children together.
More than clever, it’s consistently funny – a real lift to any reader. Though it’s a little more middle-grade than young adult, any age will love these stories, which are less about the pandemic than they are about everyday folks in extraordinary circumstances, finding unusual, clever, hilarious ways to cope. That makes this fiction, unlike other pandemic books, stand out as timeless.
Kudos to the author for including a hearing-impaired child (and the balcony mate who learns sign language to communicate with her). And for merging all these highly original characters at the end. This is a highly recommended read.
Note: This review also appears at www.YAdudebooks.ca
More than clever, it’s consistently funny – a real lift to any reader. Though it’s a little more middle-grade than young adult, any age will love these stories, which are less about the pandemic than they are about everyday folks in extraordinary circumstances, finding unusual, clever, hilarious ways to cope. That makes this fiction, unlike other pandemic books, stand out as timeless.
Kudos to the author for including a hearing-impaired child (and the balcony mate who learns sign language to communicate with her). And for merging all these highly original characters at the end. This is a highly recommended read.
Note: This review also appears at www.YAdudebooks.ca
January 14, 2022
I read this book with my two elementary age boys. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Reading this while still in the middle of the pandemic was fascinating for all of us. Everything is still fresh and going on all around us. Interesting though, my 11 year old thought some of the things, like not going outside at all and the playground being taped off, were a little much. He has already forgotten that that is what it was like at the beginning!
We particularly liked getting to know these kids. We spent the last chapter delightedly remembering each of the characters and the details of their stories. Lovely and startlingly real. These stories managed to touch on many of the issues and details of those first weeks of the pandemic and weave them all into a believable and intriguing tapestry.
We particularly liked getting to know these kids. We spent the last chapter delightedly remembering each of the characters and the details of their stories. Lovely and startlingly real. These stories managed to touch on many of the issues and details of those first weeks of the pandemic and weave them all into a believable and intriguing tapestry.
July 11, 2022
7/10/2022 ~ A collection of semi-related short stories about the early days of the pandemic. Though all the stories feature kids as main characters, this feels like the writing adults do to work through tough times. When I read that all the stories were inter-related (since all the kids live in the same apartment building), I hoped for something a bit more like Fleischman's Seedfolks with even more connections and clues.
At this point, I won't be adding the book to my elementary library collection.
At this point, I won't be adding the book to my elementary library collection.
January 25, 2022
An interesting approach to the Covid lockdown time. Seven short stories set in the same apartment building - each in a different home. Readers meet the children in each and see how they managed the early days of the lockdown. I love the eighth short story where they all connected and spent some time together.
Each character's personality and needs comes through and readers will find those they connect with.
Each character's personality and needs comes through and readers will find those they connect with.
February 2, 2022
"Disruptions in routines can be stressful." (p. 76, "I Like Your Tie")
"He lived to gross her out." (p. 107, "The Two Harriets")
"'It's never going away, is it?' Mimi said.
'What?' Danila asked her.
'The Grown-up Virus.'
'Sure it will,' Louis said.
'The thing is,' Conner said. 'It's not fair. They started it.' He meant the adults. 'And they don't even act like grown-ups.'" (p. 160, "Imagine")
"He lived to gross her out." (p. 107, "The Two Harriets")
"'It's never going away, is it?' Mimi said.
'What?' Danila asked her.
'The Grown-up Virus.'
'Sure it will,' Louis said.
'The thing is,' Conner said. 'It's not fair. They started it.' He meant the adults. 'And they don't even act like grown-ups.'" (p. 160, "Imagine")
May 23, 2022
Impulse grab, looked short and I needed a quick kid's read. Looked accessible, too, not all heavy.
Surpassed my hopes. Very readable, but also smart. A little bit heartbreaking, a lot heartwarming, and oh my goodness inspiring. Adderson gives me hope for the future... kids who have developed resiliency during trying times probably can grow up and save the world.
Highly recommended to all educators, including homeschooling families.
I will look for more by the author.
Surpassed my hopes. Very readable, but also smart. A little bit heartbreaking, a lot heartwarming, and oh my goodness inspiring. Adderson gives me hope for the future... kids who have developed resiliency during trying times probably can grow up and save the world.
Highly recommended to all educators, including homeschooling families.
I will look for more by the author.
March 28, 2022
This is the first middle grade short story collection I’ve read in a long time. This was also the first Covid related story I’ve read. Very enjoyable, and a very quick read. Would recommend for any middle school/ upper elementary collection.
September 3, 2022
Heart-felt and authentic stories reflective of the first year of the Covid 19 pandemic through the inquisitive eyes of children. Chapter 4 hit me hard, as it reflected a lot of my own personal experiences of the pandemic at that time.💛💛
June 23, 2024
This was an interesting way to highlight the experiences many had during the pandemic. I liked how each story was about a different family in the same apartment complex and how the individual plotlines weaced together in the end. I wonder what my students will think of it...
April 8, 2025
This is just so exactly like the pandemic. I video called my friends every day for hours just so I could have some feeling of human interaction. The characters are so relatable and endearing, and the story itself is, as my friends would say, “that’s real.”
August 26, 2021
What a great collection of short stories to connect with kids and their experiences through the pandemic.
December 4, 2021
7 out of 8 stories were really good. one was dull. it's ok.
July 5, 2022
3.5 stars
February 18, 2023
Great book to start a conversation with kids about the beginning of the pandemic and mental health.
March 10, 2023
It was pretty good, but not notable so. The stories were short and easy to read, and I liked how each story was related to another one. 4 stars overall.
November 8, 2023
For square: one main character needs to be a child.
February 16, 2022
A cute way to think of the pandemic in the kids eyes. The last 3 chapters were my favorite
February 22, 2022
I'm ambivalent to this book.
It's well written and does a great job of describing the hundred kinds of stir crazy everyone went during the early stages of the pandemic.
But I do feel like it's written from a place of remarkable privilege using the stories of others' suffering and trauma the author admits to finding on social media.
See? Ambivalent.
It's well written and does a great job of describing the hundred kinds of stir crazy everyone went during the early stages of the pandemic.
But I do feel like it's written from a place of remarkable privilege using the stories of others' suffering and trauma the author admits to finding on social media.
See? Ambivalent.
October 21, 2021
I really appreciate a good short story collection. They are perfect if you just want a quick little story and don’t want to get hooked into a long narrative. Caroline Adderson’s new middle grade short story collection inspired by kids during the pandemic, Sunny Days Inside will help children process their experiences from last spring and fall and help them to understand they are truly not alone in those experiences.
Set in an apartment building across from a hospital, Caroline Adderson shares stories of children from so many different walks of life. There is the story of Jessica learning ASL so she could communicate with her neighbour Meena. There are the stories of the parents barely holding it together. There is the story of an elderly neighbour who contracted COVID and is taken to the hospital. Caroline Adderson mined all of the different experiences to bring young readers a diverse book of stories from the pandemic.
There is a lovely thread throughout all of the stories. Although they are separate accounts of different families there is always a connective tissue, a line or a neighbour in each chapter that brought the book together, brought the community together. It truly made me appreciate our home and the backyard we got so much use of these past 18 months.
We have all experienced things differently since March 2020. All of our experiences have been unique to our families but the stories in Sunny Days Inside bring with them a new appreciation for all of the different experiences from the early days of the pandemic. Readers will have a renewed appreciation for their peers as they transition back to school and all of the different ways we have experienced and continue to experience this ongoing pandemic.
Set in an apartment building across from a hospital, Caroline Adderson shares stories of children from so many different walks of life. There is the story of Jessica learning ASL so she could communicate with her neighbour Meena. There are the stories of the parents barely holding it together. There is the story of an elderly neighbour who contracted COVID and is taken to the hospital. Caroline Adderson mined all of the different experiences to bring young readers a diverse book of stories from the pandemic.
There is a lovely thread throughout all of the stories. Although they are separate accounts of different families there is always a connective tissue, a line or a neighbour in each chapter that brought the book together, brought the community together. It truly made me appreciate our home and the backyard we got so much use of these past 18 months.
We have all experienced things differently since March 2020. All of our experiences have been unique to our families but the stories in Sunny Days Inside bring with them a new appreciation for all of the different experiences from the early days of the pandemic. Readers will have a renewed appreciation for their peers as they transition back to school and all of the different ways we have experienced and continue to experience this ongoing pandemic.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews