YA Pick for Fall: Violets Are Blue by Barbara Dee

 *DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Aladdin for providing product samples in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 

Check out one of our favorite YA reads that is being released this Fall:

Dee returns this September with a heartfelt take on another tough topic – this time, addiction – making it accessible to middle grade readers and letting those who have faced similar challenges know they’re not alone.

Twelve-year-old Wren loves to reinvent herself, whether through her passion for special effects makeup or trying out a different name. These experiments in identity allow her to escape into a different life, where her best friend doesn’t act like she hates her and she isn’t caught in the middle of her parents’ divorce. Moving to a new town seems like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, and everything falls into place as Wren starts making friends and lands the job of makeup artist for the school’s production of Wicked. But Wren is so caught up in finding herself that she doesn’t focus on her mom’s erratic behavior. When an opening night disaster throws her mom’s opioid addiction into the spotlight, Wren realizes that some problems can’t be covered up with a little makeup, but require support, forgiveness, and rebuilt trust.

Violets Are Blue (Aladdin; 9/28/21; ISBN: 978-1534469181; Hardcover $17.99; Ages 9-13; 304 pages) tackles the universal middle grade concerns of friendship, family, and identity with the same care and insight Dee brings to the challenging topic of addiction. Through Wren’s authentic voice, Dee captures a common issue that is often treated as taboo, providing kids with the tools to reach out when a problem is too much to take on alone. Wren’s interest in special effects makeup brings a unique flair and levity to a story with extra appeal to drama kids of all stripes – whether they’re assisting backstage, starring in the school play, or avidly watching YouTube tutorials.

Violets Are Blue is both heart wrenching and heartwarming and a wonderful YA pick for fall!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.