Identity, family, and friends are increasingly important to middle grade readers. They're beginning to discover the talents, interests, and passions that shape their self images. On the route to the teen years peers are becoming increasingly important as people to turn to for advice and validation. But parents and family roles are still quite important. Sheri Winston beautifully captures these themes in her poignant and highly engaging The Braid Girls, told in the alternating voices of its three narrators.
Daija's world is built around ballet. Not only does she love acquiring the skills learning and performing, she hopes that achieving in the art will get her father to finally pay attention to her. This will require expensive extra ballet classes that her mom can't afford. She and BFF Maggie have started a neighborhood braiding business.
Maggie is her perfect partner, an ultra organized math whiz and future entrepreneur. But this summer an unexpected discovery with huge implications. Her father hasn't exactly been been faithful to her mother. She has a same age step sister who has come to live with her family.
Callie's mother has just recently died. Now she's living with a group of strangers. She has no clue if she'll fit in or why they even took her. Maybe it was only out of a sense of obligation. And that's not the only relationship minefield she has to navigate. Daija, fearing being displaced as Maggie's best friend, keeps trying to drive a wedge between Maggie and Callie.
As if that isn't enough drama another crisis has erupted. Some other girls have started a rival braiding business. And they don't play fair.
On a purrrsonal note, I gave my presentation in my capstone class. It went really well. I was quite confident and focused. Kathleen (professor) said I did a great job.
A great big shout out goes out to Kathleen and my capstone classmates.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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