The Other Side of Imani
By Lisa Springer
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publisher’s Blurb:
Ever since she could remember, thirteen-year-old Imani
has wanted to be a fashion designer.
But fashion designers are bold, out-there, and in your
face. And despite her unique sense of style, Imani has trouble fitting in, let
alone standing out. Entering her new school’s design competition
for a scholarship to the nearby arts high school seems like the perfect way to
make new friends and get closer to her dream of being a designer.
Then Imani’s designs are stolen by one of her
classmates, and Imani is forced to enter the competition anonymously, under a
virtual persona of her own creation—“Estelle.” When Estelle then goes viral,
Imani must figure out how to be her “real” self as she finds her true
friends and her voice... all while hoping to win the
competition.
My Thoughts:
Being new at a school is rough. Imani is overjoyed to
find another girl who is as interested in fashion and design as she is, and she
excited to be invited to the other girl’s house to work on their designs for
their school’s competition. (I find it a little hard to believe that everyone
in their middle school is so
excited about this competition.)
As an adult reading this book, I saw the theft of
Imani’s designs coming. Her resolution of the situation is what the real
story is about.
Honestly, the fact that all these middle-schoolers are
so heavily engaged in the story’s equivalent of Instagram is a little
disturbing. I mean, yes, my high school students are super into it. But to have
11-14-year-olds so invested…oof.
As is the case with so many middle grade novels, Imani
feels she must solve her problem by herself. Of course, if she just confided in
her parents or her older sister, we wouldn’t really have a story.
There are some awesome supporting characters. And some—like
the school principal—that you’ll love to hate.
Possible objectionable material:
Bullying. Sneaking around. Lying.
Way too much social media use.
Those who like fashion and creative
expression. This one’s probably going to be of interest to more girls than to
boys.
#BookReview #NetGalley #MiddleGrades
#TheOtherSideOfImani #LisaSpringer #HarperCollins
#biblioquacious
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