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Reviewed by:
  • Like Vanessa by Tami Charles
  • Quinita Balderson
Charles, TamiLike Vanessa. Charlesbridge,
2018 [288p]
ISBN 978-1-58089-777-8 $16.99
Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 5-8

Vanessa "Nessy" Martin and her grandfather Pop Pop have a tradition of watching the Miss America Pageant, but this year, in 1983, things change when Vanessa Williams becomes the first black woman to earn the crown. Until then, Nessy, a dark-complexioned eighth-grader with natural hair and thick build, had only shared her dreams of singing and gracing the Miss America stage with her best friend Tanisha and with her diary. When there's an opportunity to compete in King Middle School's first pageant, the chorus instructor pushes Nessy to go for it, but she becomes a target for a jealous gangbanger and endangers her gay cousin, TJ. The book sensitively examines Vanessa's internal and external obstacles, providing support to readers who struggle with colorism, an issue that goes far beyond the African-American community. Charles also touches on the risky nature of identifying as gay in the '80s and sheds light on the complexity of intersectionality. This read is for youngsters who need an early introduction to novels like The Bluest Eye and for anyone who yearns to be unapologetically who they are. An author's note provides details of Vanessa Williams' win and describes her own history with pageants. QB

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