Violets are Blue by Barbara Dee

How I Heard About It:
*I'm a huge fan of Barbara Dee and all that she writes.  I was excited when her upcoming novel appeared in my mail via #bookexpedition.  I wasn't really sure what the story line was, but looked forward to reading what Barbara came up with this time around.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*Wren isn't thrilled when her parents divorce and her father begins a new life/family.  She always isn't thrilled when her mother moves them to a new town.

*Starting a new school can be difficult, but Wren has high hopes for a new beginning.

*After meeting a new friend, Wren finds herself showcasing her talent with the art of makeup.  

*While finding her place within the cast of Wicked, the school play, Wren begins to realize something is going on with her mother and it isn't a good thing.

*Trying to find one's place within school can be a challenge, but when you have to navigate within your own family; life can present even more road blocks.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:

*This was a fast-paced and engaging middle-grade story.  

*Being a huge fan of Wicked, I enjoyed all the references to the cast, story line, and of course music.

*The issues Wren's mother faced were presented in a gentle, yet realistic way.  

*There were many references to make up and the art of using make-up, which wasn't a huge interest to me, but didn't distract from the overall story.  

*Addiction touches so many people in our country, and this story does a terrific job of addressing it and showing how it can affect young people in a family.


Who Should Read It:

*I know we shouldn't classify books as a boy or girl story, but in my opinion this particular novel would be most appealing to the middle-grade and/or middle-school female reader.  Not only is there a heavy focus on make-up and make-up artists, but there are several female related story lines that occur throughout the pages of the book.  Happy Reading!  


Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars