SOLVED. YA fiction fifth grade reading level in 2002, young girl befriends blind neighbor [s]

[Amy]

YA fiction chapter book about a young girl who befriends a blind man in her neighborhood. Though my memory is shaky, I recall it being about how her summer job was helping him paint his house and he chose the paint colors based on the name of them - this obviously led me to want to have my job as an adult be the person who names paint colors. This was a book read aloud to my fourth or fifth grade class in 2001-2002. I believe the name of the book followed the pattern of: ________ (the name of the girl) and the ________ (maybe sunshine?) man. The copy we had had a white cover and green or blue lettering on top with an illustration in the lower half of the cover.

I appreciate any help you can give me in finding this book!

[Holly]

Spring and the Shadow Man maybe?

[Amy]

Oh my goodness you are amazing thank you!