Fact Friday: Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me about Life, Death, and Hope by Jarrett J. Krosockzka

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me about Life, Death and Hope by Jarrett J. Krosockzka. 240 p. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc. April, 2023. 9781338356311. (Review of finished purchased copy)

Happy Friday! Fact Friday features Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me about Life, Death and Hope by Jarrett K. Krosockzka. Fans of the author/ illustrator's Hey, Kiddo will be happy to learn of this new memoir. In 1994, sixteen-year-old Jarrett decided to leave his comfort zone and volunteer at Camp Sunshine for a week. This was a camp in Maine where children who had cancer and their families could spend a week sailing and doing regular camp things. Jarrett's grandma worries it will be too depressing, but Jarrett has an open mind. He's assigned to Diego, who has brain cancer and is wheelchair-bound. He's also not interested in being at camp and is unwilling to participate in camp activities. Jarrett gives him his space, but is quietly encouraging. He also befriends Eric and his family. Eric is obsessed with Power Rangers and also has leukemia.

The limited pallet of browns, greys and yellows effectively convey mood as Jarrett moves through his week trying to make each family feel at home and have fun. Photos, drawings and clippings from his time at camp begin each chapter, and readers gain insight into some challenges others face in this touching memoir.