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Keeping It Real
Marigold Johnson is looking forward to a future full of family, friends, and fashion--but what will she do when it all explodes in her face? When she discovers that her entire life is a lie?
Marigold Johnson can't wait to attend a special program at her family's business, Flexx Unlimited, for teens who love fashion. But Mari quickly realizes that she's out of place compared to the three other trainees--and one girl, Kara, seems to hate her on sight.
As tension builds and the stakes at the program get higher, Mari uncovers exactly why Kara's been so spiteful. She also discovers some hard truths about herself and her family.
Marigold Johnson can't wait to attend a special program at her family's business, Flexx Unlimited, for teens who love fashion. But Mari quickly realizes that she's out of place compared to the three other trainees--and one girl, Kara, seems to hate her on sight.
As tension builds and the stakes at the program get higher, Mari uncovers exactly why Kara's been so spiteful. She also discovers some hard truths about herself and her family.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2021
11 people are currently reading
2079 people want to read
About the author
Paula Chase
15 books201 followersI'm a creature borne of pop culture. It's created a volatile mix of hope and cynicism within me that I help myself understand by putting my young characters through the world's paces.
I have a big heart for young readers. Young Adult and Middle Grade novels are my home.
And because no one lives in a vacuum, I co-founded The Brown Bookshelf to ensure that the spotlight on children's lit created by persons of color never dims.
I have a big heart for young readers. Young Adult and Middle Grade novels are my home.
And because no one lives in a vacuum, I co-founded The Brown Bookshelf to ensure that the spotlight on children's lit created by persons of color never dims.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 9, 2021
This is a great book for readers who enjoy older MG/younger YA, are into fashion, and want a story with familial relationships and friendships with plenty of nuance.
- Follows Marigold, a young Black teen who attends her family business’s special program for young teens who love fashion – and discovers a shocking secret and truth about her family.
- I really liked how this story deftly explores how Black identity can intersect with socioeconomic diversity and privilege. This shines through in Mari's narrative and how it contrasts with her friend, Justice's, perspective as a poor Black teen.
- I also liked the nuanced portrayal of friendships. The dynamics in this are interesting and engaging, and if anyone has ever felt that their friendships were changing right before their eyes or felt like they didn't fit in, this will resonate.
- This has a surprise twist at the end, but I felt like this happened really late in the ending. I think the twist had a lot of implications worth digesting and exploring. That's not to say that the twist wasn't done well - it was done okay! - the pacing just didn't quite work for me.
- Follows Marigold, a young Black teen who attends her family business’s special program for young teens who love fashion – and discovers a shocking secret and truth about her family.
- I really liked how this story deftly explores how Black identity can intersect with socioeconomic diversity and privilege. This shines through in Mari's narrative and how it contrasts with her friend, Justice's, perspective as a poor Black teen.
- I also liked the nuanced portrayal of friendships. The dynamics in this are interesting and engaging, and if anyone has ever felt that their friendships were changing right before their eyes or felt like they didn't fit in, this will resonate.
- This has a surprise twist at the end, but I felt like this happened really late in the ending. I think the twist had a lot of implications worth digesting and exploring. That's not to say that the twist wasn't done well - it was done okay! - the pacing just didn't quite work for me.
October 19, 2021
Keeping It Real is a riveting upper middle grade about family, privilege, and conformity in the Black community. With a perfect in-between voice, this book is perfect for older tweens and younger teens in the eighth grade and older. Kids who enjoy stories about fashion, the arts, friendships, and family drama will enjoy this one.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review on my blog.
Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2021
Paula Chase has a unique voice that is not easily done in middle grade books. I was immediately drawn into Mari’s story through her voice and the fashion and drama. The drama just kept going and the pages kept turning. Chase has a way of developing characters in such a way that you can see them and feel for them. By the end of the book, I wished I could be a fashion designer, or at least dress like one, and my heart was repairing after being torn to pieces. I absolutely loved this story and know that is a story that is needed with a theme that many will connect to.
September 21, 2021
What it's about: Marigold Johnson attends the Flowers Academy, an elite private school. Her parents insist that she get the best education they can provide for her - and thanks to their incredibly popular fashion company Flexx Unlimited, the Johnsons can provide a lot. Mari loves designing fashion as a hobby, but she doesn't pay much attention to her family's business - she's more concerned with doing well in school.
Mari's friend and classmate Justice attends Flo-A on a basketball scholarship; he's one of the best players in the league, and he's one of the most popular kids in the school. But while Justice may have incredible skills on the court, his passion is hip-hop fashion. So when he's chosen to be one of the three teens to participate in a special summer-long style internship at Flexx Unlimited, he is over the moon. Justice is also surprised that Mari didn't know about the program, but Mari is not, since she rarely pays attention to her parents' business, and generally is "allergic" to anything that seems like working for her folks.
The idea of working with Justice, and getting to continue her hobby as part of the internship, captures her interest. She manages to talk her parents into giving her a shot.
But her parents warn her that she has to give the other kids in the program plenty of space to do their thing, because they're not from the same kind of privileged background as Mari.
As the summer unfurls, Mari finds herself caught between expectations - Justice's, the other interns, her parents, and her own. And when Mari starts to feel left out, she has no one to turn to to help her figure out what to do about it.
No one ever said fashion, friendship, or family is easy.
What I thought: One of the things I enjoy most about Chase's books is that they are grounded in the everyday experiences of the characters. While they have conflicts to deal with and obstacles to overcome, those difficulties are ones that young teens face regularly - fitting in, figuring out who they are, pursuing their interests and polishing their abilities, trying to see a path to their future, maintaining friendships, dealing with the changes that come as part of growing up. These are universal issues that middle grades readers can relate to. I hate to make the pun, but Chase is really good at keeping it real!
This book is a little different than Chase's So Done books, in a few dimensions. Most immediately noticeable to me, there is only one perspective provided (as opposed to alternating every chapter between two main characters). It completely makes sense for the story Chase is telling here - if readers had other sides of this story, it would undercut some of the reveals. Still, it would have been fascinating to see this story unfolding from the perspective of one of the other three teens in the book.
This book is also dealing with a very different type of character. The So Done books focus on a set of characters living in Del Rio Cove, a lower income area. Marigold is coming at the world from a very different place than those kids, and it's interesting to see the ways in which her family's affluence giver her a different experience than the kids from the Cove - and even more interesting to see the ways in which it doesn't.
Mari finds herself constantly being shut out of situations. At school, she's one of the only Black kids, and she's had to deal with some racist ignorance. At the internship, she's both the "rich kid" and the boss's daughter, making her feel like a double outcast.
I appreciate that Mari is dealing with difficulties, even though on paper her life is wonderful. It's a great reminder that it doesn't matter how much "stuff" you have, it's how you relate to - and connect with - the people around you that really matters.
Mari is also a very thoughtful child. She frequently looks to the family's live-in friend/nanny/housekeeper, Ms. Sadie. Ms. Sadie helped to raise Mari's father when his mother wasn't able to, and has become like a third parent to Mari. Mari has multiple moments throughout the book where she is consciously thinking about Ms. Sadie's age, and considering that Ms. Sadie will not be around forever, no matter how much Mari and the Johnsons love her. This is pretty deep for a middle schooler, but it's a great little thread that's woven into the story. While this makes Mari sad, she pivots to focus on the here and now and enjoying having Ms. Sadie in her life, rather than focusing on the darker aspects of her future. I think teen readers could stand the reminder of mortality, as well as the lesson in not taking their loved ones for granted and trying to enjoy the present.
As thoughtful as Mari is in certain areas, she's also a typical clueless teen in others. Not only do I love the realism of that idea, that people can be strong in one dimension but weak in the next one over, but it provides lots of great chances for conversations among readers. As an impartial third party, the readers can see that although Mari thinks her actions make sense, she is actually creating several of her own problems because although she cares about others, she's not great at seeing things from their perspective unless someone is leading her through it step by step. Again, I love this very regular-teen detail.
Why I rated it like I did: As a writer, I'd put Chase on par with the best of the realistic fiction middle grades authors: Jason Reynolds, Kelly Yang, Barbara Dee, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Kate DiCamillo. She is a master of characterization, giving each of her protagonists depth and heft. She is also gifted at taking the everyday events teens deal with and turning them into engaging stories that provide middle grades readers with lessons, without hitting them over the head.
This book is an engaging piece of realistic fiction that has lots of fun elements that are regular life for some people, but almost fantastical for most of us - and it's great to get to explore that world a bit from the inside.
This book deserves a place in every middle grades book collection in school and public libraries. Students will enjoy the story and might even learn a thing or two along the way.
Mari's friend and classmate Justice attends Flo-A on a basketball scholarship; he's one of the best players in the league, and he's one of the most popular kids in the school. But while Justice may have incredible skills on the court, his passion is hip-hop fashion. So when he's chosen to be one of the three teens to participate in a special summer-long style internship at Flexx Unlimited, he is over the moon. Justice is also surprised that Mari didn't know about the program, but Mari is not, since she rarely pays attention to her parents' business, and generally is "allergic" to anything that seems like working for her folks.
The idea of working with Justice, and getting to continue her hobby as part of the internship, captures her interest. She manages to talk her parents into giving her a shot.
But her parents warn her that she has to give the other kids in the program plenty of space to do their thing, because they're not from the same kind of privileged background as Mari.
As the summer unfurls, Mari finds herself caught between expectations - Justice's, the other interns, her parents, and her own. And when Mari starts to feel left out, she has no one to turn to to help her figure out what to do about it.
No one ever said fashion, friendship, or family is easy.
What I thought: One of the things I enjoy most about Chase's books is that they are grounded in the everyday experiences of the characters. While they have conflicts to deal with and obstacles to overcome, those difficulties are ones that young teens face regularly - fitting in, figuring out who they are, pursuing their interests and polishing their abilities, trying to see a path to their future, maintaining friendships, dealing with the changes that come as part of growing up. These are universal issues that middle grades readers can relate to. I hate to make the pun, but Chase is really good at keeping it real!
This book is a little different than Chase's So Done books, in a few dimensions. Most immediately noticeable to me, there is only one perspective provided (as opposed to alternating every chapter between two main characters). It completely makes sense for the story Chase is telling here - if readers had other sides of this story, it would undercut some of the reveals. Still, it would have been fascinating to see this story unfolding from the perspective of one of the other three teens in the book.
This book is also dealing with a very different type of character. The So Done books focus on a set of characters living in Del Rio Cove, a lower income area. Marigold is coming at the world from a very different place than those kids, and it's interesting to see the ways in which her family's affluence giver her a different experience than the kids from the Cove - and even more interesting to see the ways in which it doesn't.
Mari finds herself constantly being shut out of situations. At school, she's one of the only Black kids, and she's had to deal with some racist ignorance. At the internship, she's both the "rich kid" and the boss's daughter, making her feel like a double outcast.
I appreciate that Mari is dealing with difficulties, even though on paper her life is wonderful. It's a great reminder that it doesn't matter how much "stuff" you have, it's how you relate to - and connect with - the people around you that really matters.
Mari is also a very thoughtful child. She frequently looks to the family's live-in friend/nanny/housekeeper, Ms. Sadie. Ms. Sadie helped to raise Mari's father when his mother wasn't able to, and has become like a third parent to Mari. Mari has multiple moments throughout the book where she is consciously thinking about Ms. Sadie's age, and considering that Ms. Sadie will not be around forever, no matter how much Mari and the Johnsons love her. This is pretty deep for a middle schooler, but it's a great little thread that's woven into the story. While this makes Mari sad, she pivots to focus on the here and now and enjoying having Ms. Sadie in her life, rather than focusing on the darker aspects of her future. I think teen readers could stand the reminder of mortality, as well as the lesson in not taking their loved ones for granted and trying to enjoy the present.
As thoughtful as Mari is in certain areas, she's also a typical clueless teen in others. Not only do I love the realism of that idea, that people can be strong in one dimension but weak in the next one over, but it provides lots of great chances for conversations among readers. As an impartial third party, the readers can see that although Mari thinks her actions make sense, she is actually creating several of her own problems because although she cares about others, she's not great at seeing things from their perspective unless someone is leading her through it step by step. Again, I love this very regular-teen detail.
Why I rated it like I did: As a writer, I'd put Chase on par with the best of the realistic fiction middle grades authors: Jason Reynolds, Kelly Yang, Barbara Dee, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Kate DiCamillo. She is a master of characterization, giving each of her protagonists depth and heft. She is also gifted at taking the everyday events teens deal with and turning them into engaging stories that provide middle grades readers with lessons, without hitting them over the head.
This book is an engaging piece of realistic fiction that has lots of fun elements that are regular life for some people, but almost fantastical for most of us - and it's great to get to explore that world a bit from the inside.
This book deserves a place in every middle grades book collection in school and public libraries. Students will enjoy the story and might even learn a thing or two along the way.
September 13, 2022
👛👗⭐Keeping It Real⭐👗👛
3.5 Stars
Marigold Johnson (Mari) has a love for fashion, and her parents are the founders of Flexx Unlimited. Being the only black girl in her grade, Mari faces racism and anger being thrown her way. Through it all, Mari has had Justice her best friend, to go through everything with. When Justice enters a camp specializing in fashion and design that her parents own, he doesn't tell her friction arises in their friendship. Then Mari meets Kara, a cool but cold girl who Mari instantly doesn't like. Justice however, soon quickly becomes friends with Kara and the relationship puts a wedge in Mari's friendship. Now doubting her friendship, jealous and hurt, Mari discovers herself while learning several shocking things.
I enjoyed the plot premise in this book, while also liking the story. Fashion is a topic I don't know too much about, so I enjoyed learning more about different types of clothing and pairing. Mari was a relatable character who dealt with the dangerous and ugly parts of jealousy, while also dealing with various feelings like anger, hurt, and shock. Her friendship with Justice was written well, it felt real but also complex. Despite one of the main plot points being about the competitive fashion industry, and Mari's time at a summer camp, it also dealt with friendship.
People treated Mari differently because she was rich and the daughter of Flexx Unlimited, showing anger and envy directed at her. As Kara's friendship with Justice forms a wall in Mari's friendship, I love how ever emotion was described. The plot twist in the end, I actually managed to predict and I wish it had come a little earlier and could have been explored more.
I liked the ending, although I wanted certain aspects explored more. I liked how Justice and Mari's friendship was realistic, there are scars left after the problems they faced.
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
✅PLOT TWIST
3.5 Stars
Marigold Johnson (Mari) has a love for fashion, and her parents are the founders of Flexx Unlimited. Being the only black girl in her grade, Mari faces racism and anger being thrown her way. Through it all, Mari has had Justice her best friend, to go through everything with. When Justice enters a camp specializing in fashion and design that her parents own, he doesn't tell her friction arises in their friendship. Then Mari meets Kara, a cool but cold girl who Mari instantly doesn't like. Justice however, soon quickly becomes friends with Kara and the relationship puts a wedge in Mari's friendship. Now doubting her friendship, jealous and hurt, Mari discovers herself while learning several shocking things.
I enjoyed the plot premise in this book, while also liking the story. Fashion is a topic I don't know too much about, so I enjoyed learning more about different types of clothing and pairing. Mari was a relatable character who dealt with the dangerous and ugly parts of jealousy, while also dealing with various feelings like anger, hurt, and shock. Her friendship with Justice was written well, it felt real but also complex. Despite one of the main plot points being about the competitive fashion industry, and Mari's time at a summer camp, it also dealt with friendship.
People treated Mari differently because she was rich and the daughter of Flexx Unlimited, showing anger and envy directed at her. As Kara's friendship with Justice forms a wall in Mari's friendship, I love how ever emotion was described. The plot twist in the end, I actually managed to predict and I wish it had come a little earlier and could have been explored more.
I liked the ending, although I wanted certain aspects explored more. I liked how Justice and Mari's friendship was realistic, there are scars left after the problems they faced.
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
✅PLOT TWIST
September 2, 2021
I will put a disclaimer...this is not my usual book i review on this platform but my day job is a children's librarian and am official on the BIPOC(Black, Indigenous People of Color) committee where we are reviewing children's new books for 2021.
Marigold or Mari as she is called is a young African American girl learning to navigate coming from wealth, adjusting to being in a predominantly white school and having to deal with being caught in two world being black but not a black child from impoverished means and still not being accepted by her white classmates. Liking a boy(Justice) who may not see her that way and it could possible be because of her wealth and prestige behind her. One summer she interns in her parents hip hop company along with Justice and two other girls who won internship in the company. As the four of them navigate what it takes to style and understand the hip hop fashion world Mari again have to deal with one of the girls in the internship named Kara who seems to immediate takes a dislike to Mari and Justice seem to be into Kara that sets Mari mind into a tailspin. It all comes to a head when Kara and Mari have a an argument that reveal the reasoning why Kara may not be feeling Mari at all. A great look into a hip hop clothing companies way of possible doing things. A great read that I belief today's teenager would be able to comprehend and enjoy. Giving an arc by netgalley.
Marigold or Mari as she is called is a young African American girl learning to navigate coming from wealth, adjusting to being in a predominantly white school and having to deal with being caught in two world being black but not a black child from impoverished means and still not being accepted by her white classmates. Liking a boy(Justice) who may not see her that way and it could possible be because of her wealth and prestige behind her. One summer she interns in her parents hip hop company along with Justice and two other girls who won internship in the company. As the four of them navigate what it takes to style and understand the hip hop fashion world Mari again have to deal with one of the girls in the internship named Kara who seems to immediate takes a dislike to Mari and Justice seem to be into Kara that sets Mari mind into a tailspin. It all comes to a head when Kara and Mari have a an argument that reveal the reasoning why Kara may not be feeling Mari at all. A great look into a hip hop clothing companies way of possible doing things. A great read that I belief today's teenager would be able to comprehend and enjoy. Giving an arc by netgalley.
October 17, 2021
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read anything by Paula Chase before, but I fell in love with this one. I really enjoyed that this is more of an upper middle grade age, which is something that you don't see a lot. The writing style and overall narrative voice were well crafted and had a really good flow, I didn't really have any spots where I felt like the pace slowed down.
The characters were also well crafted and I really enjoyed the portrayal of different aspects of familial and friend relationships, different youth experiences based on class regardless of friendships and the cultural aspects in the novel. While there were definitely parts of this story that I personally couldn't identify with, it was still a beneficial story for me to read and experience. Overall this was a great story, with a few twists that were heart wrenching, but so wonderful to read. I will definitely be checking out more of Chase's writing in the future.
I haven't read anything by Paula Chase before, but I fell in love with this one. I really enjoyed that this is more of an upper middle grade age, which is something that you don't see a lot. The writing style and overall narrative voice were well crafted and had a really good flow, I didn't really have any spots where I felt like the pace slowed down.
The characters were also well crafted and I really enjoyed the portrayal of different aspects of familial and friend relationships, different youth experiences based on class regardless of friendships and the cultural aspects in the novel. While there were definitely parts of this story that I personally couldn't identify with, it was still a beneficial story for me to read and experience. Overall this was a great story, with a few twists that were heart wrenching, but so wonderful to read. I will definitely be checking out more of Chase's writing in the future.
July 5, 2021
First of all, let me get this out of the way: if I had to pick a major concern with this book, it would be the pacing. Without spoiling, there is a pretty major twist that happens about 80% of the way through the book that changes a lot, but by the time the twist happens there is very little time left to deal with the repercussions of it, and so that part winds up feeling rushed. I would have had the twist be discovered close to the middle of the book, so that the fallout gets the time it deserves.
Apart from that, this book was pretty enjoyable. The main character is definitely flawed, and is at times an unreliable narrator, but she is not unbelievable in her thoughts and actions - you can tell why she acts the way she does throughout the book. And I did learn a little bit more about fashion that I knew before, so that was a fun bonus. I could see some teens really resonating with this book, and think that anyone curious about it should give it a shot.
Apart from that, this book was pretty enjoyable. The main character is definitely flawed, and is at times an unreliable narrator, but she is not unbelievable in her thoughts and actions - you can tell why she acts the way she does throughout the book. And I did learn a little bit more about fashion that I knew before, so that was a fun bonus. I could see some teens really resonating with this book, and think that anyone curious about it should give it a shot.
September 27, 2021
3.5 stars
Mari and her best friend Justice are both go-getters who come from different sides of the tracks. Mari's family owns a business, Flexx Unlimited, which leaves Mari set for life; whereas, with Justice the only way he's going to make it out after they graduate is through scholarships and opportunities. Which when one arises at Flexx, an internship, Mari finds herself wanting to be doing something as well this summer since all of her friends seem to be working. Mari finds a way to get into her parents business to help out, but they are insistent she WORK - it won't be fun or all sunshine and rainbows just because of who she is. The other interns aren't thrilled with the work they've been given at first, but as time goes on some start to open up to the ideas of what they are doing. The only problem is, one girl, Kara, does not have a soft spot for Mari at all - then a big family secret drops that might change Mari's whole life trajectory.. or does it?
Mari and her best friend Justice are both go-getters who come from different sides of the tracks. Mari's family owns a business, Flexx Unlimited, which leaves Mari set for life; whereas, with Justice the only way he's going to make it out after they graduate is through scholarships and opportunities. Which when one arises at Flexx, an internship, Mari finds herself wanting to be doing something as well this summer since all of her friends seem to be working. Mari finds a way to get into her parents business to help out, but they are insistent she WORK - it won't be fun or all sunshine and rainbows just because of who she is. The other interns aren't thrilled with the work they've been given at first, but as time goes on some start to open up to the ideas of what they are doing. The only problem is, one girl, Kara, does not have a soft spot for Mari at all - then a big family secret drops that might change Mari's whole life trajectory.. or does it?
October 12, 2021
Keeping It Real is the story of Marigold who’s just graduated from junior high and is about to enter the summer right before she goes to high school. She is the daughter of two parents who run a very successful hip-hop-oriented fashion company called Flexx and because of that, she is held up at a higher status at her school. Because of her background, she also gets a lot of flack from her best friend Justice who she has a major crush on. He among others says she’s too bougie or not Black enough. To prove naysayers wrong and that she is a hard worker she decides to join Flexx’s summer program in order to prove that she has the skills to succeed on her own.
Read the full book review on the blog at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
Read the full book review on the blog at: https://www.lifeofafemalebibliophile....
December 8, 2021
Marigold Johnson is excited to spend her summer as part of Style High- a program at her parents' wildly popular company, Flexx Unlimited. Not only will she get to stretch her style muscles, but she will get to work with her best friend- Justice.
The first day shows Marigold right away that her summer is not going to go quite as planned. Justice seems a little distant, Chandra is TOO much, and Kara doesn't seem to like Mari from the jump.
I enjoy Paula Chase's writing every time I pick up one of her books. This was no exception. I enjoyed the overall storyline but rated it a bit lower because the end seemed rushed. There was a lot of built-up tension and then a flood of resolution. While I know that once a revelation occurs there isn't always a lot of story left to tell, I would have liked there to be more exploration of the outcomes.
The first day shows Marigold right away that her summer is not going to go quite as planned. Justice seems a little distant, Chandra is TOO much, and Kara doesn't seem to like Mari from the jump.
I enjoy Paula Chase's writing every time I pick up one of her books. This was no exception. I enjoyed the overall storyline but rated it a bit lower because the end seemed rushed. There was a lot of built-up tension and then a flood of resolution. While I know that once a revelation occurs there isn't always a lot of story left to tell, I would have liked there to be more exploration of the outcomes.
June 3, 2022
if i knew this was an upper middle grade book i really wouldn’t have read it lol. i didn’t know though, and i should’ve looked so that’s on me. yes i rated this book 2.5 stars. that’s honestly bc it was just so unrealistic in my opinion.
half of the book was the main character feeling jealous but just keeping it inside. the other was not bad grammar, but just unrealistic AAVE. i say this as an African-American (I emphasize this because I found a review in goodreads where someone was bashing the grammar but they were Caucasian, and not in a polite way). idk, some of it was relatable but usually when we speak with one another it actually makes sense 🤷♀️
otherwise, this could be seen as a good book for the recommended age group, but I just didn’t enjoy it entirely!!
half of the book was the main character feeling jealous but just keeping it inside. the other was not bad grammar, but just unrealistic AAVE. i say this as an African-American (I emphasize this because I found a review in goodreads where someone was bashing the grammar but they were Caucasian, and not in a polite way). idk, some of it was relatable but usually when we speak with one another it actually makes sense 🤷♀️
otherwise, this could be seen as a good book for the recommended age group, but I just didn’t enjoy it entirely!!
October 20, 2021
I won this PAPAERBACK advance reader's edition in a Goodreads giveaway.
It took me two major league efforts to read this novel all the way through. The first try, after reading repeated sentences on page after page of non-speak and poor grammar, I quit.
"Man, I ain't stuntin' what nobody think...'
"I ain't gonna argue what spoiled is or ain't."
"Ayne, who you curbing like that?"
"Me and her see this differently."
"Me and Justice talking about how today went."
"What he do?"
"He be saying stuff like he knows what's up."
"Me liking her didn't mean me and you weren't still tight."
It would not have been so bad if Marigold, a likeable eighth [going into ninth] grader, wasn't attending a pricey, private, mostly white school where proper grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary are presumably important tools to possess. I put the book down as I would have if the book had been filled with profanity on every page and on most sentences. That profanity experience caused me to have profanity floating in my head for literally days after attempting to read that filth-filled book.
BUT I considered that this was the vernacular of these wealthy and hard-working fashion folks in D.C. And they were trying to do their best for their daughter. Marigold seems to fit the bill, with the exception of her ghetto (?) language of being an otherwise normal loved daughter.
The plot involves the summer experience that she is fortunate enough to enjoy at her parents' profitable and well-run fashion company. The company is making a lot of money for the family to lead a lavish lifestyle, if not an educated one. I give them credit for sending Mari to the good school, but I took points away for them not following through with ensuring that she was really receiving a good education, including how to speak intelligently.
The author has written a good story that would appeal to middle/high school age kids if it were not - in my opinion- for the previously mentioned language. The book is realistic and believable, and despite my over-the-hill- age, I enjoyed the characters and theme and as noted, on second try, I read the book to the end.
It took me two major league efforts to read this novel all the way through. The first try, after reading repeated sentences on page after page of non-speak and poor grammar, I quit.
"Man, I ain't stuntin' what nobody think...'
"I ain't gonna argue what spoiled is or ain't."
"Ayne, who you curbing like that?"
"Me and her see this differently."
"Me and Justice talking about how today went."
"What he do?"
"He be saying stuff like he knows what's up."
"Me liking her didn't mean me and you weren't still tight."
It would not have been so bad if Marigold, a likeable eighth [going into ninth] grader, wasn't attending a pricey, private, mostly white school where proper grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary are presumably important tools to possess. I put the book down as I would have if the book had been filled with profanity on every page and on most sentences. That profanity experience caused me to have profanity floating in my head for literally days after attempting to read that filth-filled book.
BUT I considered that this was the vernacular of these wealthy and hard-working fashion folks in D.C. And they were trying to do their best for their daughter. Marigold seems to fit the bill, with the exception of her ghetto (?) language of being an otherwise normal loved daughter.
The plot involves the summer experience that she is fortunate enough to enjoy at her parents' profitable and well-run fashion company. The company is making a lot of money for the family to lead a lavish lifestyle, if not an educated one. I give them credit for sending Mari to the good school, but I took points away for them not following through with ensuring that she was really receiving a good education, including how to speak intelligently.
The author has written a good story that would appeal to middle/high school age kids if it were not - in my opinion- for the previously mentioned language. The book is realistic and believable, and despite my over-the-hill- age, I enjoyed the characters and theme and as noted, on second try, I read the book to the end.
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December 16, 2021Another upper MG gem from Paula Chase! Chase writes such complex, fully realized 13 and 14-year-old characters, and her new book KEEPING IT REAL explores friendship, crushes, competition, race, and privilege in compelling and unique ways. The dynamics between the young teens in this book ring SO true and feel so nuanced, and readers will love the fashion industry content. I love the way Chase lets her main characters stew in complicated, hard-to-express-but-easy-to-relate-to feelings. KEEPING IT REAL is a must-have for middle school classroom and library collections—Chase writes for this age group with so much respect and insight!
March 7, 2022
3.5 stars
Mari loves fashion - which works out well most of the time since her family business is the uber successful Flexx Unlimited design and clothing company. She tries to fly under the radar at her elite private school, though, along with her friend Justice. When she finds out that Justice has gotten an exclusive internship at her parents' company, she begs them to let her participate, too. They grudgingly agree. To Mari's consternation, things do not go well with the internship causing things to go awry at school as well.
Give this to your students who love fashion and who love drama (think Project Runway, etc.)
Mari loves fashion - which works out well most of the time since her family business is the uber successful Flexx Unlimited design and clothing company. She tries to fly under the radar at her elite private school, though, along with her friend Justice. When she finds out that Justice has gotten an exclusive internship at her parents' company, she begs them to let her participate, too. They grudgingly agree. To Mari's consternation, things do not go well with the internship causing things to go awry at school as well.
Give this to your students who love fashion and who love drama (think Project Runway, etc.)
December 17, 2023
Marigold goes to a rich white private school where she faces constant clueless racism. Then she spends her summer at a hip hop design program, immersed in black culture. I found her voice utterly realistic as a rising 9th grader, which is unusual (most books make such kids sound like mini adults). Unfortunately, it was so realistic that it grated on me as an adult who wouldn't put up with it, so I couldn't finish it. I was listening to the audiobook, and it's never a good sign when I prefer to listen to the radio instead. I will, however, recommend it because we always need more realistic fiction that teens (especially black teens) can see themselves in.
October 29, 2021
This was a good book, and I enjoyed reading it. However, I think the advertised age-range might be low/wrong. There's a lot of language and slang that makes it too mature for middle-grade. For example in some rap lyrics that are quoted- "Girls be on my tip because they ride it, get it." The students also make sexual comments to each other. I did enjoy Marigold's story (her internship in her parent's business, her friendships, and the lessons she learns). I would just recommend it for grades 7th+.
I got an ARC from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I got an ARC from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
November 26, 2021
This middle-grade novel is about Marigold Johnson. Her parents run a fashion business called Flexx Unlimited and she works for their summer program. Once she's there she meets two girls and her best friend Justice is in the program also. She doesn't realize she is about to get the shock of her life. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were realistic, serious, and funny. I recommend this book to Middle graders. I give this book five stars.
#harpercollins
#harpercollinschildrens
#harpercollins
#harpercollinschildrens
April 13, 2022
I really liked this a lot! The only thing I couldn’t fully wrap my head around was that these characters were not even in high school yet, but they had this summer program/job. I thought Marigold was very realistic in how she handled everything. I’m glad I checked it out for sure and I would love to read more from this author in the future.
June 25, 2024
Fast and Fun
This was a quick read with just enough characters and just enough life—great for middle schoolers. It was a little predictable, but I do like how the ending was not a happily ever after with a prologue that delved into the future instead.
This was a quick read with just enough characters and just enough life—great for middle schoolers. It was a little predictable, but I do like how the ending was not a happily ever after with a prologue that delved into the future instead.
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June 22, 2021Excellent crossover MG/YA with a bit too abrupt an ending.
March 28, 2022
Okay, I actually really liked this one, it's not often you see a YA book about fashion, let alone the cast being entirely black. It was funny, it had a good plot, and a good plot twist.
March 28, 2022
Enjoyed this book. A really good read. Characters and story were solid.
February 16, 2024
[3.5 stars]
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December 6, 2024Wonderful book so touching. This book is truly remarkable, filled with emotions that resonate deeply. Its touching narrative captivates the reader, evoking a strong sense of empathy and connection.
October 19, 2021
On a summer internship for Black teens, the boss's daughter struggles to fit in with her peers while a family secret challenges her worldview, resilience, and capacity for forgiveness.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
This hard-hitting (but fun) middle grade novel explores the complex dynamics of privilege and class within a Black community. Mari's authentic and realistic pre-teen voice will be accessible to middle school readers, who will see their own struggles to fit in reflected through her experiences. A must-buy for middle grade fiction collections and middle school book clubs!
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
This hard-hitting (but fun) middle grade novel explores the complex dynamics of privilege and class within a Black community. Mari's authentic and realistic pre-teen voice will be accessible to middle school readers, who will see their own struggles to fit in reflected through her experiences. A must-buy for middle grade fiction collections and middle school book clubs!
October 8, 2025
keep it real people 🙂↕️ .
February 21, 2023
I enjoyed following the story of Marigold as she interacts with others in new ways. When things begin to change, she finds herself participating in a summer program at her family's fashion styling business. There she learns that you really shouldn't judge anyone by their looks and background.
May 23, 2022
Really liked that it was 8th grade going into high school. Rare to see that in MG/YA lit.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
July 31, 2023
I saw the clues that her parents were keeping an affair from her. I loved the message behind this story, of how marigold struggled with being not 'black enough', wanting to belong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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