Monday, December 20, 2021

Review: Violets are Blue

 


Twelve-year-old Wren loves makeup—special effect makeup, to be exact. When she is experimenting with new looks, Wren can create a different version of herself. A girl who isn’t in a sort-of-best friendship with someone who seems like she hates her. A girl whose parents aren’t divorced and doesn’t have to learn to like her new stepmom.

So, when Wren and her mom move to a new town for a fresh start, she is cautiously optimistic. And things seem to fall into place when Wren meets potential friends and gets selected as the makeup artist for her school’s upcoming production of Wicked.

Only, Wren’s mom isn’t doing so well. She’s taking a lot of naps, starts snapping at Wren for no reason, and always seems to be sick. And what’s worse, Wren keeps getting hints that things aren’t going well at her new job at the hospital, where her mom is a nurse. And after an opening night disaster leads to a heartbreaking discovery, Wren realizes that her mother has a serious problem—a problem that can’t be wiped away or covered up.

After all the progress she’s made, can Wren start over again with her devastating new normal? And will she ever be able to heal the broken trust with her mom?
  - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I loved this one. Over the past few years, Barbara Dee has become an auto-read for me and an auto-buy author for the library. Her books hit home and they cover important topics. This was was super cool with the plot line about special effects make-up and social media. I loved the bits about friendship, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself. I felt terrible for Wren and wanted to give her a great big hug. 

Cover Thoughts: Love it - but you have to read the book in order for it to make sense. 
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A Must Have book for school and public libraries. 

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