Say No to the Dress

A really sweet story about blended families, being more confident in yourself and giving people a chance. I really enjoyed it.

A cute, fun read. Accurately details the thoughts and feelings of a young teen girl, struggling with her self-image among people she believes have it all together. It takes two engagements, one wedding, two almost-weddings, a panicky, controlling neighbor-mom, and an unlikely friend to convince her she's just fine the way she is.

Thank you to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Teen for providing this free eARC.

Summary: Miri is fourteen and in the last year she’s been mugged by puberty. She’s grown several inches, expanded in all directions, her breasts are out of control, and she’s prone to random eruptions of spots. Life already feels like a nightmare and now she’s been asked to act as a bridesmaid for two of her siblings. Two weddings and two bridesmaid dresses – could things get any worse?

This hi-lo (high interest, low ability) book is perfect for young readers who want to enjoy a great story at a lower reading level.
The story is fast paced and easy to follow. It’s short enough to be accessible to slower readers, while still being packed with a great story, humour and relatable characters. Miri, the main character, is especially relatable and, as a plus sized gal myself, I could empathize with many of her struggles.
Girls of all ages will be able to relate to Miri’s struggles with her body image in a world that expects all women to conform to a specific type of body shape. At the same time, the story also shows how important it is not to judge people based on their looks - just because someone does seem to fit society’s mold, doesn’t mean they don’t have any problems.
I also loved the weddingy theme of the story, which accurately shows the stress and pressure it puts everyone under.
Ultimately, this is a beautiful story about confidence, getting to know the person behind their appearance, and finding your place in this world.