THE SUN WILL COME OUT

Bea and her best friend, Frankie, are horse-crazy 11-year-olds excited to spend a month together at Camp Shalom, a Jewish sleep-away camp.

When Frankie’s parents arrange instead for her to attend Circle M, a much more expensive horse camp, Bea feels betrayed. She’s hurt by Frankie’s willingness to abandon her and upset about her own parents’ inability to afford the pricey Circle M. This friendship crisis isn’t Bea’s only problem—she has also started breaking out in hives at the worst possible times: in front of her longtime crush (who is also Frankie’s brother) and the mean girls who share her cabin and when she auditions for the camp musical. But Bea finds silver linings as well: one is Regan from Ireland, who becomes her bunkmate and close friend; another is Harry, the camp directors’ son, who has progeria, a life-limiting genetic disorder. While Harry spends time in the infirmary and avoids the other campers, who are not always welcoming to him, Bea’s struggle with hives gives her a chance to get to know him beyond his illness. With help from Harry, Bea learns that she is brave enough to face hard things. The story gives voice to the experience of Jewish preteens; chronic illness and disability are also sensitively tackled in this complex tale about difference, acceptance, and self-confidence.

A heartfelt tear-jerker about love, friendship, and courage.