The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Krosoczka, Jarrett J. Sunshine. Scholastic Inc., 2023.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka's Sunshine is a graphic novel written from the first person point of view of the protagonist Jarrett. The novel combines imagery and text in order to capture Jarrett's experiences volunteering at Camp Sunshine in Maine when he was 16 years old. The novel employs both the past and present tenses as Jarrett reflects on his time at camp decades later. The following summary abides by a linear mode of explanation and relies upon the past tense.

When Jarrett was 16 years old, he volunteered to spend the week at Camp Sunshine with his peers. He was one of six students chosen to travel to Maine and work with the campers, all of whom were children with terminal illnesses. Although Jarrett's grandmother and grandfather supported him, they were unsure why Jarrett would want this opportunity. Jarrett had lived with them since he was a child, and thus regarded them as his parents.

At his school, Jarrett met up with his five fellow student volunteers, Christine, Andrea, Erin, Chad, and Jonathan. His faculty chaperones, Mrs. Gormley and Sister Frances, drove the students from Massachusetts up to Maine. When they arrived at the camp, the chaperones gave the students their assignments for the week. Having wanted to work with young kids, Jarrett was disappointed to learn he would be spending one-on-one time with a 13-year-old named Diego. He became even more worried when he learned Diego had brain cancer. Jarrett felt inexperienced and unequipped to support Diego.

Each of the campers was also assigned to a family with whom they would eat meals and spend time. In the dining hall, Jarrett met his family, the Orfaos. Shelly Orfao introduced Jarrett to her children, Jason, Mary, and Eric. Eric was the youngest and was receiving treatment for leukemia.

Jarrett met up with the Teen Group. He met Diego and his parents for the first time. Although Diego was withdrawn, Jarrett connected with him by drawing his favorite superheroes during their time in the rec room.

Jarrett and his peers spent the evening sharing their stories from the day. Their conversations about the camp families led them to share stories about their own families. Jarrett was surprised and comforted to learn that his peers also had challenging lives at home.

Over the course of his week at Camp Sunshine, Jarrett developed close connections with the volunteers, counselors, and campers. He began to realize not only how lucky he was, but the importance of Camp Sunshine work. The place equalized all of its participants. The camp also gave the families a reprieve from their otherwise painful realities. Furthermore, the environment created a new sort of family and community.

At the end of the week, Jarrett was sad to say goodbye. However, he promised the Orfaos to stay in touch.

Upon returning to Worcester, Jarrett realized how insignificant his person problems were. Meanwhile, he maintained his camp friendships and continued visiting with the Orfaos. The following year, Eric passed away. Jarrett was overcome by sorrow. However, his encounter with a butterfly in the Orfaos' driveway after the burial comforted him.

Twenty years later, Jarrett ran into Jason Orfao while on book tour in Pittsburgh. Catching up with Jason made Jarrett realize how much his Camp Sunshine experiences and relationships had changed his life for the better.