The Sunshine Project
In the final instalment of the Book Uncle series, Uma Krishnaswami focuses on Anil and his love for both karate and the environment in The Sunshine Project.
Anil is a quiet kid who is selective with the projects he undertakes. He advocated for solar energy in his apartment building and is hoping to see solar power expand throughout the city. He loves karate and his friends but does not love bullies. When faced with his own personal bully as well as bullying tactics from big business and the government, Anil has to decide if he stays quiet or if he learns to speak up.
Uma Krishnaswami’s charming series is focused on a set of three friends, all with different passions and interests, who just seem to get each other and can always find some common ground. In this last book, readers have the opportunity to get to know a little more about Anil, who, from the other books, they know as a karate and solar power loving boy. In this book, we learn that Anil doesn’t love conflict but seems to end up in quite a bit of it. I love how Uma Krishnaswami shows readers that even those who appear to be quiet and reserved can have a whole lot to say when given the opportunity and how easily anger can lead to bad choices.
This story feels very timely as many readers are exploring different sources of energy and how we can live in a more sustainable world. There are some amazing big questions throughout the story to ponder about innovation and sustainability. I love that there is this big problem with the solar panel factory, a good thing, and the placement of the factory, in a protected area, a bad thing. Readers have the opportunity to think and debate throughout the story about greater good and how to ensure that modernization and sustainability don’t come at a huge cost.
I love how the children in the story become reporters and really have to investigate and ask really good questions. Readers will learn how to be critical thinkers throughout Anil’s story not only when it comes to big things but small things as well. In a time where it’s increasingly difficult to figure out what is truth and what is fiction, especially in the world of social media, this story shows readers the importance of asking the right people, the right questions to get the true answers.
Finally, the illustrations by Julianna Swaney allow readers to join Anil and his friends in India while they read the story and immerse themselves in the beaches and mangrove forests that are so important in that place in the world. I love how she allows readers to travel, along with the text, to give those who have not been to India, an opportunity to visit for a little while.
