Be Real, Macy Weaver

by Lakita Wilson

A humorous, heartfelt, and fashion-filled contemporary novel about Macy Weaver, a young girl struggling with how to be her true self and make a best friend. Perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and Stand Up, Yumi Chung.

Eleven-year-old Macy Weaver knows relationships are complicated. Fresh off her latest friendship breakup, she's spent most of her summer break on her own. So when Macy's mother decides to go back to college three states away, Macy jumps on the chance to move--anything for a fresh start.

But Macy's new home isn't exactly what she expected. Her mother's never around and her dad's always working. Lonelier than ever, Macy sets her sights on finding a new best friend. When she meets Brynn, who's smart and kind and already seems to have her whole life figured out--down to her future as a high fashion model--Macy knows she's it. The only problem is that Brynn already has a BFF and, as everyone knows, you can only have one.

Resorting to old habits, Macy turns one small lie into a whole new life--full of fantastic fashion and haute couture--but it isn't long before everything really falls apart. Ultimately, Macy must determine how to make things right and be true to herself--rather than chasing after the person she thinks she's supposed to be.

Genres: Middle Grade, Juvenile, Childrens, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Family, Audiobook

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Lakita Wilson is the author of several novels and nonfiction projects for children and young adults, including What is Black Lives Matter? and Who is Colin Kaepernick? part of the New York Times bestselling Who HQ Now series, the middle grade novel Be Real, Macy Weaver, and the young adult novel Last Chance Dance.

A 2017 recipient of SCBWI's Emerging Voices Award, Lakita received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Lakita lives in Prince George's County, Maryland.. She can be found online at lakitawilson.com

Reviews

[Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be Real, Macy Weaver is an engaging, realistic, and creative middle grade novel about identity, fashion, and friendships. This heartfelt romp is highly relatable, especially for kids who think they need to be someone else to find acceptance with their peers. Kids who love crafting and fashion will also enjoy the creative outfits that Macy and her crew come up with. This one’s a strong debut worth reading.

Read my my full review on my blog.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Sara D]

Whenever I read a middle grades book, I think about the conversations I might have with my students while reading. Be Real, Macy Weaver is chock full of conversation material! There is so much going on in Macy’s world, some of which is self-created, some of which she is thrust into through no fault of her own. But all of it, she must face, and she does not necessarily face it with grace. Be Real, Macy Weaver is above all, real. This is life for a middle grade child. We live in changing times, with so much external input into our lives and children really face the brunt of that.

Macy struggles with friendships, and attempts to mirror others in such a false way, or to project herself in a false way to appear as one who is what she perceives someone else to be attracted to. This, of course, has serious repercussions in her friendships and relationships.

Macy’s parents are struggling with life changes, and naturally, Macy is caught in that struggle. I was so disgusted with her mother, and as a teacher, I can assure you that this happens, and kids are left trying to figure it all out at great emotional cost.

Be Real, Macy Weaver will be added to my classroom library, and I will be recommending it to our librarian and colleagues.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warning: Absent parent, and social anxiety

“Macy Wondered what it would be like to be your honest-to-goodness self without caring what anyone else had to say or think.”​​​​​​​​

Be Real, Macy Weaver follows Macy’s story as she just wants to make friends and have a best friend. She goes about this in several different ways, but after moving to Maryland she does it by pretending to be extremely into fashion. With a little help from her new friend Pax, she is able to do just that and actually does end up loving fashion and design. ​​​​​​​​

Overall I really loved this story. It shows the real side of social anxiety and the lengths someone will go to to try and fit in. It’s not always pretty and it can end in people being upset with you and we saw this at different times in the book with the friends that Macy was making. We also saw an absentee parent who was more interested in themselves and getting to party instead of taking care of their child. It was heartbreaking to read and I felt so bad for Macy and her other parent who were left behind. They struggled with knowing what to do, and how to do it best while also still trying to have the approval of this parent that was gone and didn’t show interest in them until it was too late.

Now on to something happier. The friendships that Macy made were so genuine and sweet after she came clean about everything. They all were into the same things, and Macy even had a knack for something after all it seems, or at least being creative when it came to designing.

This book is great for the young reader in your life who is struggling to make friends or fit in.

Thank you to the publisher for a physical copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura Obuobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters felt real and authentic - Macy, her mom, their neighbor (PJ), and others. They are funny, endearing, dramatic, and interesting. There are so many things that work really well in this book. Irony is one. Our real lives are filled with irony, and this book layers it into the story in a way that makes it engaging, and realistic, and makes you want to turn the page. The story hits the mark on what things often feel like at that stage of development especially with regards to friendship, wanting to fit in, wanting to connect with someone who gets/sees you, and figuring out who we are. I loved Macy, loved going on this journey of self-discovery with her, even when she stumbled and fell at times, and loved watching her become true to who she was.

[Alina Borger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilson’s MG debut is a deeply honest exploration of how confusing and difficult friendship can be at that age—often among girls, but not always. She also does a fantastic job with representing anxiety. I personally loved watching Macy go from slightly interested in the sewing machine left at her new apartment to co-creating the House of Anomaly fashion line and putting on the show. It was also really lovely to see her sweet relationship with her neighbor develop (albeit mostly in spite of Macy 😄).

[Books Forward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great middle grade read for young people learning who they are, growing their identity, and making real friendships at the end of the day. Fun and filled with style, fashion, and friendships, you'll fall in love with Macy Weaver and root for her every step of the way, even when she's getting in her own way.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

**runs to pre-order** This book is everything middle grade should be…heartfelt, sweet, deep, and deeply fun…and I cannot wait for it to come out!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macy Weaver is convinced that the only way to make friends is to be exactly like them, so she spends a great deal of time mimicking others. However, because of this choice, Macy ends up having to lie in order to fit in, which means friendship becomes increasingly difficult to maintain. When Macy's mother is accepted to college in Maryland, Macy jumps at the chance for a fresh start since her friendships in South Carolina are not working out as well as she hoped. Maryland is filled with new potential companions, but when Macy falls back into her old habits, she gets a rude awakening that brings her face to face with the consequences that come from being untrustworthy.

This contemporary middle grade novel introduces readers to a young girl who is struggling to find her place when it feels as though everyone she has ever cared about has left her behind. Marital and financial troubles plague Macy's family at home, and while school starts out well for Macy, her lies end up catching up with her and distancing her from others. Cringe-worthy decisions make this book a cautionary tale for young readers who may choose to misconstrue their own realities, especially as a means to develop friendships. As Macy hits rock bottom, readers are able to learn from her mistakes and recognize both how their actions can affect others and how to remedy any damage those actions may cause.

Sixth grade is not an easy time, and it is common for children to do what they think will make them liked, even if it means not being true to themselves. This book provides an exaggerated look at the pain lies can cause while offering Macy a chance at redemption as she becomes more comfortable with who she really is. Short chapters and realistic dialogue keep the pacing moving forward with ease, and readers will be motivated to observe the results of Macy's actions, especially as her lies begin to unravel around her. Heartfelt and filled with an array of colorful characters, this book will resonate with any reader who has ever struggled to recognize their true personality and potential. This is a strong addition to libraries for middle grade readers.

[Emily Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley, Lakita Wilson, and the publisher for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Macy Weaver is dying to have a best friend, but after a recent friendship breakup she spent the whole summer by herself. So when Macy's mother decides to go to college and the family must move, Macy is all for a fresh start, a new school, and hopefully a new best friend.
Soon though, Macy's back to her old ways in regards to making friends (not being truthful). Between that, her mom never being at home, and her dad constantly working, Macy isn't sure if this move was really a good idea after all.
Will Macy be able to learn to be her authentic self or will she continue to fall into her old habits?

I thought this was a great middle grade read. Macy's behavior is typical for kiddos in upper elementary/middle school. I see it often as a teacher. I hope this book will teacher kids that the best type of friendship is one where you are authentically yourself. If others do not like you for who you are, than they aren't really your friend.

[Caris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, heartwarming read. BE REAL, MACY WEAVER reminds us how complicated friendships are, especially for children who are still trying to discover who they are, what they want, and what really matters. Macy Weaver goes through all sorts of feelings—some which might induce creepy-crawlies and raised brows—but the way she makes peace with herself and her surroundings is the true victory of it all. Lakita Wilson weaves humor and grace into this book, along with so many personable characters—from Macy's hardworking dad, the lovable PJ, our dear boy Pax, and even Charlotte!—as well as the way she celebrates Black joy. A delight to read. Perfect for fashion-and-art-loving children, future lawyers and journalists, and kids who just want to find a best friend without having to lie about their true self.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic middle grade read about being true to yourself and telling the truth.
All Macy wants is a best friend, but she doesn't always tell the truth. She thinks that if she makes things up then people will like her better.
Along the way she learns that telling the truth and being real to yourself is the right way to go.
Macy is also dealing with a big move and some family changes that are hard.
Macy really comes in to her own and figures out what she likes along the way of making Somme true friends.
I did not like Macy's mom. She was very full of herself and very much didn't want to be a mother anymore. Her shortcomings helped Macy grow a little more within herself, but that was a hard thing for her to have to face.
A great book that looks at friendships through middle school, which can be a hard time for anyone.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

[Stephanie Affinito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has my heart. Macy, an eleven year old girl fresh off yet another friendship breakup finds herself in a new school in a new state for a fresh start….without her mother. Macy has always tried to fit in by losing herself. She spends hours researching and stressing over the kind of person she should be in order to feel friendship and love. But when her mom leaves her to attend school and her father works overtime to pay the bills, Macy is left to figure out life on her own. This may be a middle grade novel, but it has all sorts of life lessons for adults from working too much, the fallout of emotional shopping, showing up for those who love us and being enough just the way you are.

[Carla "Kar" Schmidt Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, my heart. The feeling of being dumped by a so-called best friend hits me right in the gut. I felt like I was reading my own life. Throughout the book I kept thinking this is how you show that what we see as trivial drama feels like a very big deal for kids, because it IS a big deal. I loved this book. It held the tension and kept me invested in Macy’s story. Fantastic.

[Maraia · Rating 5 out of 5]

cw: the MC befriends sp*der and talks to it in multiple scenes

[Fran N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, poignant middle grade novel about finding one's true self, making amends, and learning how to be a good friend. Macy is a lovably real in her missteps and will leave readers rooting for her the whole way. Macy's feelings of creepy crawlies will help normalize the experience of social anxiety for young readers. Her mom's neglect of Macy is a powerful metaphor for Macy's life if she doesn't start being honest with herself and others. The writing is crisp, engaging, and with authentic middle grade voices, combined with a gentle humor that will appeal to even the most reluctant of readers. Highly recommend for children struggling with self-image, making friends, transitioning to a new school, and feeling left out.

[Donna Metler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reiew is based on an ARC. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it.

Macy wants one thing more than anything-a best friend. But her social anxiety creepy-crawlies keep her from being authentic and really connecting with her classmates, and eventually she makes a mistake and they cut her off. Is it any wonder she welcomes the opportunity to move to Maryland, where her mother has been accepted to go to school, and start over? Macy's journey, from trying to be a chameleon and blend in, to developing a true love of and talent for fashion and connecting with other kids, all of whom have their own insecurities is real, authentic, and beautiful. This is a lovely book that belongs in school and community libraries, because there is a little Macy in all of us.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macy has a problem.
She can't keep friends. Macy doesn't know why, she likes the things they like, wears clothes like they wear, acts like they act, and makes her hair look similar to theirs. Macy has lost another best friend but gets the chance to start over when her parents move her to Maryland. When she gets there she sets her sights on Brynn, but she already has a best friend, Grace. She begins to believe she has a new best friend but is very skeptical.
I enjoyed this book. Macy goes through feelings that many of us have gone through. What is the best way to find, earn, and keep a best friend. Do I have to become a different person to keep them? Can I be myself? Why do they not want to be my friend? What did I do to lose them? Can I get them back? Should I try to get them back? Do or did they really like me?
I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Macy lives in South Carolina with her father, who is a postal worker, and her mother, who works at a bank but is unfulfilled and is constantly redecorating their home. Macy has trouble keeping friends, and has fallen out with Mia, Darby, and Payton during her fifth grade year. She's friends with Josie, who moved to her school late in the year, and she's excited to spend the summer with a best friend... until Josie also drops her and starts hanging out with Jazmin and Jalaya, posting pictures of the fun they are having on InstaSlam. After Macy likes too many of the posts, Josie blocks her! There are bigger problems, however; her mother has gotten accepted into a psychology program... at the University of Maryland. Even though it's expensive, she really wants to go. The university has even offered her housing, but when it's decided that Macy and her father will also move to Maryland, the housing turns out to be a single dorm room, and Macy and her father end up in a run down apartment building. There's an old Singer sewing machine in Macy's room, and kindly neighbor PJ, an older woman, offers to help her learn to use it, but Macy is angry with her family situation and resents her overtures. Starting at her new school, Macy tries hard to be friendly and does get along with Brynn and Grace, but lies and says that her mother is a famous fashion photographer when Brynn says she is interested in modeling and notices that Macy's sweater is a designer cashmere number. Grace wants to be a lawyer, and is often picked on by the boys in their class for being fat. Macy goes through her mother's clothes and accessories, and wears many of them to school, even though they aren't really appropriate. Neighbor Pax, who dresses all in black and is constantly scribbling in a notebook, finally talks to her about her fashion choices. He really likes the reality show "Stitched" and wants to be a designer, but his brothers make fun of him, and his Dominican family doesn't really understand him. Brynn plans a birthday party at a hotel in D.C. during fashion week, and Pax and Macy hope to launch their own brand, House of Anomaly, which consists of reworked, quirky garments they have fashioned, with PJ's help, from secondhand clothes and treasures from dumpster diving. When Brynn's mother loses her job and Macy overhears her telling Grace, Macy tries to be supportive, but Brynn thinks that Grace broke her confidence and is angry with both of them. Macy starts to realize that her mother is pulling further and further away from the family, and lying about the work that she is doing, which could have been all done online. Will Macy finally be able to keep friends, and will her family situation settle down? There were a lot of interesting things going on in this book that will appeal to readers who like fashion, friend drama, or ghost-free moving stories.
Strengths: Parents are a big part of tweens' lives, and their actions have a huge effect on children. It's interesting that Macy wants to move to another city to escape her friendship situation. I liked that while her mother was not at all supportive, her father was, and she had teachers and PJ to help her out. The concept of lying about oneself to others should be explored more in middle grade literature; how many of us went to summer camp and tried to reinvent ourselves, ala Kimmel's The Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt? I liked that Brynn and Grace were fairly welcoming, but their friendship with Macy still wasn't entirely smooth. Pax is a well developed character; he almost deserves a book by himself.
Weaknesses: I can tell Macy why she can't keep friends; she is very needy! Her relationship with Josie is unfortunate. The mother is one of the most quietly horrible parents in middle grade literature; I wish that there was more of a resolution with how her mother was treating her.
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who love Taylor's Sew Zoey, Schroeder's My Secret Guide to Paris, Stone's Paris for Two, Devillers' Lynn Visible, or Johnson's fun Hello, Cruel Heart. I'm a big fan of characters who sew, and while Macy and Pax's designs are a little quirky, it's a fun story with TONS of friend drama, which is always popular.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to like about BE REAL, MACY WEAVER. From its vivid cover showing diverse characters, to its engrossing plotline, to its empowering message, it's an engaging read. Macy is a sympathetic and likable heroine, who's very relatable in her efforts to impress other people. She acts like a real 11-year-old by making up outrageous stories and getting entangled in her web of lies. Even though she doesn't WANT to be dishonest, she finds it very difficult to stop lying. The process she goes through feels realistic to me and I like that it involves getting professional help from a trusted school counselor. Brynn and Grace seem more forgiving than is typical, but their ability to do so quickly and thoroughly (but only after insisting Macy is honest) should offer a good lesson to kids on how to avoid and stop harmful drama. Although Macy's parents both struck me as irresponsible for leaving an 11-year-old at home for long periods of time to fend for herself, her mother is especially over the top. Are there moms out there who are really that selfish and clueless? I guess there probably are, but she still felt like a caricature to me. At almost 400 pages, BE REAL, MACY WEAVER feels longer than it should be. There's enough going on to keep it from dragging TOO much, but it could have been a good 100 pages shorter without losing any of its oomph. As for the messages the book teaches, there are some good ones about telling the truth, being yourself, learning how to be a real friend, standing up to bullies, working hard to achieve a goal, and giving your trust to the people who consistently show up for you. All in all, I think this is a book kids will be drawn to and enjoy.

One issue I have with this book, though, is that it's very similar to THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK by Erin Estrada Kelly with the themes of lying and a male fashion designer who gets teased for his "girly" interests. It's a little weird that books that are so alike would be released in the same year, isn't it? In case you're wondering, THOSE KIDS FROM FAWN CREEK is the better book. At least in my opinion.

I waffled between 3 and 3 1/2 stars for this one. I decided on the latter, but since I can't give it 3 1/2 stars on GR, I rounded up.

[ismael ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

macy weaver is a young girl struggling to be her true self and to make a best friend. macy mother decides to go back to college three states away, macy is excited for a new fresh start but once they get to their new home she realizes that it’s not what she expected. macy mother is never around anymore and her dad is away a lot of the time busy with work. macy meets brynn and she wants to be best friend with them but the problem is that brynn already has a best friend. macy resorts to old habits and turns back to lying and boy does her lies go out of hand.

i think this was a good middle grade book. i think that there is probably a lot that kids could get out of this book. however it’s clear that macy is going through a lot and with her mom being absent and a horrible mother it just sucks a lot. macy would tell a lot of lies and it gets to a point where i just cringe and have a hard time reading cause there would be so many and just so outrageous where it would be so obvious that she’s lying. but overall i think this story was good and realistic to a lot of young kids out there that will probably see in themselves and get a lot out of this story.


↳- ★ ★ ★ stars ∞༺♥༻✧

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Identity is a necessary and relevant theme for middle grade and Wilson's book is a shining example of how it can be approached with an understanding of how we all need time to figure out who we are and who we want to be.

Macy thinks that the easiest way to make friends is to become exactly like the friend-- like the same things they do, watch the same things they do, wear the same hairstyles. But that hasn't gotten her a best friend for life. Each one has dropped her so she tries over in a new state when her mom (generally annoyed with the unlikeable mom!) and dad. But it almost feels exactly the same.

The fluid chapters that melt one into the other keep the pace solid even for it's thicker page count. In addition to having a sweet cover, the sentiments are a solid nod to middle grade issues like navigating family and friends.

PS Macy, even adults don't know who they want to be sometimes!

And the fact that Wilson explains the stirrings of the book based on her own experiences was a cherry on top. We ALL go through it! It's a universal experience.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book. I love how well the author expresses the complicated ins and outs of making friends. Macy is desperately trying to make a best friend, but doesn’t understand how. She imitates others, begs and does desperate things to be liked. Her family moves to a new city and she sees it as a way to start over. She slowly learns how to be herself with the help of a diverse group of new friends.

This book also deals with divorce and the trauma of having an emotionally immature parent, but in a way that is real and appropriate for kids to read. It’s tender and she does have some good supportive adults in her life. It also has a little about anxiety and how to deal with that through taking to a trusted adult.

Generally, I thought it was great! Macy and her friends are sixth graders but I think it would be fine for 8-13 year olds. I am planning on reading it aloud to my 3rd/4th grade class.

[Amanda Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. It has many of the elements of middle grade fiction (needing to fit in, wanting to be cool, family difficulties) that will make it relatable to its intended audience. However, some of the characters were not well developed, and Macy's mother was cringe-worthy. It followed a very predictable plot of pretending to be someone you're not, the truth leaking out, and finding friends who like you for who you are. It isn't at the top of my list for middle grade book recommendations but it's nice to see diverse characters and I'm sure plenty of kids will enjoy it. I'm grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an ARC and this review is an honest evaluation.

[Libriar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Macy really, really, really wants to have a best friend. Unfortunately she lacks the skills to form appropriate friendships. When she moves from South Carolina to Maryland for her mom to attend college, Macy views it as her chance to start over with friendships. But she makes the same mistakes in Maryland that she did in South Carolina. And now her mom is virtually absent from her life. 4th and 5th grade readers of realistic fiction will find a lot to like in this book. However, as an adult, this book was painful to read at times because Macy needs so much help and her mom is truly horrible. It did become much more enjoyable at the end so I'm glad I stuck with it.

[Meisbres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macy is so desperate to have a BFF that she scares them away by wearing what they wear, pretending to like what they like, and making up things about herself so they will like her better. After her 4th BFF breakup, Macy is relieved to learn her family is moving to another state. When she meets smart, funny, kind Brynn, she sees her chance for a do-over. Only problems: 1. Brynn already has a best friend, and 2. she's really into fashion (which Macy knows nothing about). One small lie turns into a whole fantasy world of designer labels, haute couture, maids, and mansions. What will Macy do when the truth comes out? Will she have the courage to finally be herself?

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this realistic fiction. Macy and her family from South Carolina to Maryland and it's a lot of changes for Macy. She meets potential friends Grace and Brynn and wrestles with how to make and keep friends, meets Tati and learns about gender identity, meets Pax and discovers a new hobby, and deals with her mom spends limited time at home which is confusing. There were some moments in the story where I felt like there was too much going on to really dig into any of them well, but overall it was an engaging story.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fashion, friendship, and family! Macey Weaver navigates middle school with anxiety ( the creepy crawlers) and this makes it hard for her to make friends. All she wishes for is a best friend. Her family up and moves in the middle of summer from South Carolina to Maryland and it is here where she commits to finding a best friend! This story is about being true to yourself! You can find your person just the way you are!!!!

[LS Johnson]

DNF. I very rarely do not finish a book but I could only muster the first 110 pages before I had to stop. By that point in the book Macy had lied to every other character in the book and both her parents had checked out - either by moving away or working longer hours. I just couldn’t read about 1 more lie Macy was going to tell.

[Anita Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be Real, Macy Weaver is about a little girl named Macy who decided to rename herself. But this recent version of herself consisted of lies so, now she must figure out who she is. This book is good for students because it teaches them that one lie can cause many problems later on. Be Real, Macy Weaver Lexile level is 800L and intended for grades 3rd through 7th.

[Macy Davis]

DNF at about 25%
Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me. To me it felt really heavy handed and overly didactic. I can imagine where the book is going to go without needing to finish it and it just didn't capture my attention.