If you loved
Sunny
Jason Reynolds · Book · 2018
What hooked you in Sunny was the way personal growth emerges from the messy, high-stakes dynamics of a team.
Films on the same thread
F1
Joseph Kosinski · Film · 2025
Explores: Mentorship, Second Chances, Comeback Story.
Like the mentorship in Sunny, this story centers on the transformative power of guidance and second chances while navigating the intense, high-pressure world of competitive professional sports.
Wonder
Film · 2017
Shares a thread with Sunny: Coming-of-age.
Much like the middle school journey in Sunny, this film captures the vulnerability of finding one's place in a new environment while leaning on the strength of family support.
Look Back
Film · 2024
Shares 3 threads with Sunny: Friendship, Personal growth, Coming-of-age.
The artistic rivalry depicted here mirrors the explosive clashes and eventual growth found in Sunny, highlighting how creative passion can both challenge and deepen a significant personal friendship.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Jeff Fowler · Film · 2024
Shares 2 threads with Sunny: Teamwork, Overcoming Adversity.
The focus on overcoming adversity through unlikely alliances in this film echoes the way the track team members in Sunny must unite their different backgrounds to succeed together.
Series on the same thread
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny Han · Series · 2022
Explores: First Love, Summer Romance, Love Triangle.
This series captures the same coming-of-age spirit found in Sunny, focusing on how internal change and shifting social dynamics define the transition into a new chapter of life.
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with Sunny: Friendship.
Just as Sunny works to shine through his troubled past, this story follows a young protagonist learning to master his own potential while processing trauma through supportive community bonds.
Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis · Series · 2020
Explores: Optimism, Underdog Story, Cultural Clash.
The optimism and underdog spirit that define this show parallel the way the track team in Sunny builds confidence through shared goals and the guidance of an unconventional leader.
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Sunny: Friendship.
This series reflects the authentic middle school life captured in Sunny, emphasizing how self-discovery and the complexities of friendship shape the emotional landscape of these developing young characters.
Podcasts on the same thread
Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness
Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness · Podcast · 2026
Explores: curiosity, self-actualization, mental wellness.
If you appreciated the focus on personal growth in Sunny, this podcast uses a similar spirit of curiosity to help listeners navigate their own paths toward mental wellness and actualization.
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Andy Frisella · Podcast · 2026
Explores: self-discipline, hustle culture, unfiltered debate.
This podcast echoes the drive for self-discipline found in the characters of Sunny, offering a raw approach to the hustle and personal accountability required to overcome life's various challenges.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Sunny the first book in the Track series?
No, Sunny is the third novel in the Track series by Jason Reynolds. The series follows the stories of four different kids chosen for an elite middle school track team, with Sunny being the third installment following the books focusing on Ghost and Patina.
What is the plot of Sunny?
Sunny follows a boy named Sunny who attempts to shine despite his troubled past. He is one of four kids from different backgrounds selected for an elite middle school track team, where his explosive personality clashes with his teammates as they train for the state championship.
Who wrote the book Sunny?
The book Sunny was written by Jason Reynolds. It was published in 2018 and is the third book in his critically acclaimed Track series, which explores the lives and personal challenges of four young athletes on a competitive middle school track team.
Are there other characters in the book Sunny?
Yes, Sunny features a group of four kids on an elite track team. In addition to Sunny, the team includes characters named Ghost, Patina, and Lu. These four children come from wildly different backgrounds and must learn to manage their clashing personalities as teammates.