Set One is back + you save $15 — grab yours before they’re gone!
Questions and Answers
While the books are written in a way where they can be read out of order, as the author, I recommend reading them in order because of the intention behind the series. Andie, her Sonshine Sisters, and even her family members grow and change as the series continues. As Jesus changes their hearts, their decisions, attitudes, words, and more change. It's to model how changes don't often happen overnight, but over time. It shows grace, growth, and love in "real time".
In Book 1, you meet Andie at her worst. She has a grouchy attitude and has a low moment with her brother where she calls him a "jerk". One of my favorite parts of writing this series has been writing the growth and change in the relationships between the characters as they've learned along the way. Many readers have emphasized how much they have loved seeing Andie and Levi's sibling relationship become better through the books.
So, while you can read them out of order, you'll miss something special about the series, and that's seeing the growth over time!
No, it's not finished yet. I began writing these at the end of 2023 with The Sonshine Sisters beginning their 5th grade year. I intend to write through their 8th grade year with this series eventually having 20+ books. I try to release a book each "quarter", sometimes ahead or behind that schedule. Make sure you are signed up for e-mails for notification of when new books are coming!
I write from a Biblical worldview. These are lessons I want my own children to learn from my own writing--how to navigate the world through the Word of God.
For this age range, I keep the lessons as simple as possible while breaking down a few harder lessons.
My only agenda is writing these is to help young readers learn that no mistake or mess can keep them from Jesus. That they can continually go to Him with everything in their life, talk to Him, and let Jesus change their heart.
I am self-published so that I can keep control of the narratives in my books.
Shipping is an unfortunate thing on both ends, trust me. Shipping rates have continued to increase and I do ship Media Mail to ensure the lowest price possible on shipping books. I do my best to ensure that purchasing books from The Sonshine Sister Club website (directly from the author!) is a fun experience. I've customized my mailers, add in a bookmark and a couple of free stickers, and you get a signed copy right from me, Shelbey Kendall!
If none of the extras interest you. My books are available on Amazon!
Also, I do offer free shipping on orders over $75. I know that's a larger amount, but it's the best I can do as a small business and small author. :)
It's most likely not lost.
I ship packages out within 1-2 business days, however USPS is experiencing massive delays in their service due to layoffs and more. It's a very common issue that has been happening since November.
I know it can be frustrating for your package to be so delayed, but I do everything on my end to ensure it gets to the USPS very quickly. All packages are Media Mail and insured. Once it leaves my hands, it's "out of my hands", and is now a USPS issue.
If you have problems, please take your tracking number to your local post office or inquire on their website.
If I could hand deliver, I would. But it would also probably cost a lot more. ;)
These books feature a diverse group of five girls that are 10 and 11 when the series starts. When the series ends they'll be 14-years-old.
With that being said, yes. There is talk of crushes because the girls are all different. You have one character, Caroline, that is "boy crazy" and you have the main character, Andie, that is not. I try to write these books as realistic as possible, and the reality is...some girls have crushes and some don't.
I've had some "push back" from some Christian moms about including any crushes in the books, but I, myself, was a "boy crazy" young girl at one point and if books or adults would have told me that having a crush in second grade on my next-door neighbor was not very "Christian" of me, I can't imagine the trauma I'd be unpacking from that.
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having a crush. I think it's a very real aspect of life that shouldn't be shamed, but instead, that we should talk about, especially as Christians.
While "romance" isn't a main focus in the entire series, it is talked about in the way that relates to different girls. These books are meant to be relatable so that young readers can learn how to grow closer to Jesus and become the best version of themselves in all aspects of life.