Say No to the Dress
by Keren David
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 8+
Published by Barrington Stoke, 2022
About this book
Miri isn’t quite sure what happened. Until last year she was small, slim and, best of all, completely flat-chested. She had been happy, normal and a promising gymnast. Then puberty mugged her.
Now taller, randomly spotty and with breasts that are out of control, she feels awkward, embarrassed and out of place. She copes by hiding under baggy joggers and hoodies which works well until the nightmare of two weddings where she is expected to be bridesmaid.
As she tries to navigate the trauma of pink satin and frills, Miri gradually wakes up to the fact that ‘different’ doesn’t have to mean ‘worse’. She just needs to give herself time to make sense of who she is as a young adult.
A refreshingly honest and witty account of how one girl goes into battle with the changes in her body but works out that a peace treaty is often the best way to resolve conflict.
Presented in a super-readable format, Miri’s experiences will resonate with many young women and show the funny side of the transition to adulthood. Exploring themes of friendship, confidence and body positivity, this accessible story also deals sensitively with complex family relationships.
About the author
More books like this
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The Disconnect
by Keren David
9 to 12+ years
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The Mermaid in the Millpond
by Lucy Strange, illustrated by Pam Smy
9 to 12+ years
-
Another Life
by Keren David
12+ years
-
Wildlands
by Brogen Murphy
9 to 12 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Books for a high interest age, low reading ability (high low), for 10+
Children can have a different reading ability to their interest age for a variety of reasons, such as dyslexia or having English as an additional language (EAL). Here is a selection of fiction that will grip the reader, and that has simpler syntax and/or an accessible layout.