Well, it could have multiple meanings. Maybe it's a moment of discovery for the kid in the story. Looking at the sun might be a way to show that the kid is unafraid and has a sense of wonder. It could also be a foreshadowing of some kind of transformation or new understanding that the character will experience later in the book.
Sure! One such book could be 'The Adventures of Little Einstein'. In it, the main character is a kid with a passion for science and makes significant discoveries.
It's not historical fiction. The book mainly presents the typical life and problems of a current-day youngster, rather than having any historical context or elements.