Winnie Nash Is Not Your Sunshine

In this powerful novel by an award-winning author, 12-year-old Winnie Nash is forced to live with her grandma for the summer and finds herself torn between her family’s secrets and the joy of celebrating Pride.

Winnie Nash never used to have so many secrets.

But then she agreed to stay with her grandma for the summer so her mom can take care of her health during her latest pregnancy. Now Winnie plays card games with Grandma’s friends (boring), joins the senior citizen book club (fine, even if no one thinks she’ll read the books), and absolutely does not talk about her mom’s sad days (she never used to be so sad…).

The biggest secret is that her parents asked Winnie not to mention she’s gay to Grandma. And there’s a really cute girl who also hangs out with the senior citizens. What happens if Grandma notices just how much Winnie likes Pippa? The longer Winnie hides the truth, the more she longs to be surrounded by her LGBTQ+ community and the more she feels like the only place she can be herself is at New York City’s Pride celebration. Winnie decides she’ll get to Pride, one way or another. But is this just one more secret she has to keep?

• * "Melleby’s latest expertly captures the tumultuousness of tween emotions through its dialogue and third-person narration. While many in Winnie’s generation are so confident in their queerness, the story importantly touches on how it’s not always safe to be out. Multiple queer characters—peers, adults, and elders alike—contribute to an exceptional sense of community that shows the many ways support can manifest…. A powerful, emotional look at queerness, pride, and what it truly means to feel held."
  Kirkus Reviews
• "Melleby's latest is a tearjerker with heart—a triumphant exploration of lesbianism, extended family, and
  miscarriage from the eyes of a young, would-be sibling. Hand to middle-grade fans of Kate DiCamillo or Ashley Herring Blake."
  Booklist
• Praise for Nicole Melleby:
  
  “Moments of madcap humor and familial warmth characterize this emotionally generous summer tale from Melleby, which showcases the author’s command of fully realized characterization and distinct relationship dynamics.” —Publishers Weekly (Sam Makes a Splash) 
  
  “It captures that camp feeling of getting away from home, meeting different people, and growing as a person, all over the course of just two weeks.  At its heart, an enjoyable summer camp story.” —Kirkus Reviews (Camp QUILTBAG) 
  
  * “This emotional read shows the power of friendship and family without omitting the work that goes into loving someone.” —Booklist, starred review (The Science of Being Angry) 
  
  * “A raw yet honest portrayal of a young person’s experience with depression, this is a must-read for both middle grade readers and the teachers, counselors, parents, and other adults who interact daily with youth undergoing similar experiences.” —School Library Journal, starred review (How to Become a Planet)  
  
  * “This funny, tender, and heart-wrenching story will have readers calling for an encore.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review (In the Role of Brie Hutchens. . .) 
  
  * “Melleby deftly tackles weighty topics—mental illness, child protective services, single parenting, sexuality—while effortlessly weaving in elements of the life and works of Vincent van Gogh, creating a thoughtful, age-appropriate and impressive novel.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review (Hurricane Season)