Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine

Winnie, 12, protagonist of Nicole Melleby's Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine, is not a happy camper. She's spending the summer with her grandmother in her retirement community. It's something she's really had no say in, a parental decision arrived at behind closed doors and presented as a mandate. Her dissatisfaction goes deeper than boredom with a life style centered around "senior" activities. Her parents have insisted that she not discuss their secrets with her grandmother.
Winnie has known from early childhood that she's attracted to girls rather than boys. Her parents have told her not to let her grandmother in on this facet of her identity. But it's a fundamental aspect of who she is. And there's a girl she's attracted to who may feel the same way about her.
Winnie's mother is pregnant. She's being told that she'll be a big sister. Only after her birth her mother has had a series of miscarriages, each leaving her severely depressed and withdrawn, stealing her smiles. The announcement of yet another pregnancy has left Winnie understandably anxious. Her mother had just been recovering from her latest miscarriage. But her grandmother must never know about her mother's episodes of depression.
Winnie has a very distinctive and end engaging personality. She definitely says what's on her mind. She has a very acute eye for social conventions as in the following paragraph describing her grandmother's relationship:
"Jeanne and Winnie's grandma did not get along, but they did not get along in that polite way where they said nice things to each other, but really meant I hope you fall off the face of the earth, please.."
I think that this fine book is pitch perfect for middle grade readers.
On, a very personal note, between Katie's birth and Adam's, I had two miscarriages. Amber, being precocious, was aware that something was going on. Although I did not have long term depression or a need to withdraw she could see when I was in pain or fatigued, especially with the second which involved 40 days of cramps, chills, and fatigue. I knew a lot of people didn't tell their kids. I also knew that many kids left in the dark felt they were to blame for whatever was happening. So I went with a simplified version of the truth. Amber was an incredible helper and proud of her ability to do so. When I became pregnant with Adam she went to all my prenatal appointments, read the pamphlets, and made sure I was eating the right foods and getting enough rest. She spent so much time playing with Katie so I could nap. I'm sure she had a role in her teacher coming over on Saturdays to clean the house. She interviewed the doctor who would perform the C section. He said she asked better questions than adult partners of patients. She was six.
A great big shout out goes out to Amber.
Jules Hathaway