Three junior high BFFs with different dreams – fashion designer, diplomat, actress – move through life and London with only minor panic. But their classmate Crow, a refugee from Uganda, struggles in school, doodling fashion designs and praying that the teacher doesn’t call on her. Crow does more than just doodle – she sews and knits her dreams into incredible creations in the tiny apartment she shares with her aunt. Her brother went missing in the refugee camp, so Crow’s family is terribly worried, afraid that he’s been captured to become a child soldier. Edie puts information on her website about the Invisible Children like Crow’s brother, Nonie helps Crow improve her reading through fashion photo books, and Jenny gets hauled to press conferences and premieres for the movie she had a small part in (wishing she could stay in London and out of sight of her manipulative, pushy father). A student fashion competition brings them all together, as Nonie’s grandmother lets Crow study her designer gowns, the three friends turn a spare room into a sewing studio for the budding designer, and Crow creates fabulous clothes that can’t be ignored. But can little Crow keep up with school and the demands of the contest organizers? Can the three friends help her make dreams into reality, without sacrificing their own? Will Crow ever see her parents and siblings again? First in a series, this book brings friends, fashion, and real life into true focus, without forgetting the fun! Recommended by: Katy Manck, Librarian-at-Large (retired academic/corporate/school librarian), Gilmer, Texas, USA +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fun and flirty, fashionable and chic, trendy and uber-girly, Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings will have wide appeal to any girl who has a passion for fashion, but not only fashionistas will want to read this novel though. Author Sophia Bennett has teenspeak down pat; the characters are lovable and believable.
Three British teens are best friends and couldn't be more different. Nonie is the fashionista with a Dior-minded granny and an ex-runway model mother. It's no wonder Nonie dreams in Valentino and Yves St. Laurent. Best friend Edie writes a blog about saving the planet one tree at a time, and Hollywood bound starlet Jenny is just being noticed by the press.
When the three friends meet a twelve-year old refugee from Uganda who shows a knack for design, they decide to help her get a step into the fashion world. Crow's family still lives in Uganda and faces terrible hardship, including the constant fear of death. When Crow makes a name for herself, the friends help get the word out about her homeland's plight. Edie's blog gets so many hits, it keeps crashing. Fashion lovers worldwide are moved to action to help Crow's homeland.
This is a fun read which may make even a "material girl" think about human rights in third world countries where survival is iffy, at best. The book says it best, "Bad stuff happens, but every now and then miracles can happen, too."Highly, highly recommended grade 7-up and for any budding fashionista!
Recommended by Pamela Thompson, MLIS, Library Media Specialist visit her ya novels blog at https://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/ *now a featured blog on the Texas Library Association's homepage at https://www.txla.org/TLA-blog
