Sunnyside Plaza

Sally "Sal-Gal" Miyake can't read, but she learns lots of things. Like bricks are made of clay and Vitamin D comes from the sun. Sal-Gal is happy working in the kitchen at Sunnyside Plaza, the community center she lives in with other adults with developmental disabilities. For Sal-Gal and her friends, Sunnyside is the only real home they've ever known.Everything changes the day a resident unexpectedly dies in his sleep. Sally and her friends are exposed to death and grief for the first time. After a series of devastating events, local detectives Esther Rivas and Lon Bridges begin asking questions. Are the incidents at Sunnyside accidents? Or is something far more disturbing happening?The suspicious deaths spur the residents into taking the investigation into their own hands. Sunnyside Plaza is a human story of empowerment, empathy, hope, and generosity that shines a light on this very special world.

"An excellent book about the power of the human spirit, even when some of the people are so different from what would be called "normal." A must read for all middle readers as they think about people who may be different from themselves."--p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Georgia}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}Pat Trotter, Bookends On Main (Menomonie, WI), Praise for Sunnyside Plaza: *"A tender insight into being different and wonderful."--Kirkus, starred review, *"A resoundingly poignant novel with an acutely intuitive and empathic protagonist."--Publishers Weekly, starred review, "...filled with compassion, determination, intrigue, and the restored faith in the power of community."--School Library Connection, "Simon delivers a unique story."--BCCB

Scott Simon has won every major award in broadcasting for his personal essays, war reporting, and commentary. He has reported from all fifty states, scores of foreign countries, and eight wars. He hosts Weekend Edition with Scott Simon Saturday mornings on National Public Radio (which the Washington Post has called "the most literate, witty, moving, and just plain interesting news show on any dial") is a Special Contributor to CBS Sunday Morning, and is the author of nine books.