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Unfadeable
Fans of Jason Reynolds and Kelly Yang will love this witty and wise middle grade contemporary about an unhoused tween graffiti artist taking on corruption and gentrification on her block.
Bella “Unfadeable” Fades is determined to stay out of trouble. A wiser-than-her-years graffiti artist known for tagging walls and bridges in her Indianapolis neighborhood, the Land, Bella plans to spend her summer break lying low and steering clear of anyone who might tip off to social services that she’s living on her own.
But keeping a low profile is all but impossible when Bella discovers people in high places are trying to defund the Land. She has to find a way to fight back. Getting involved will mean putting herself out there—making connections with unlikely friends and attracting potential enemies. But if Bella doesn’t put her trust in her neighbors and learn how to bring her community together, her home—and her future—will never be the same.
From author Maurice Broaddus comes a heartfelt and genuine story about building community, finding family, and the power of Black Girl Magic.
Bella “Unfadeable” Fades is determined to stay out of trouble. A wiser-than-her-years graffiti artist known for tagging walls and bridges in her Indianapolis neighborhood, the Land, Bella plans to spend her summer break lying low and steering clear of anyone who might tip off to social services that she’s living on her own.
But keeping a low profile is all but impossible when Bella discovers people in high places are trying to defund the Land. She has to find a way to fight back. Getting involved will mean putting herself out there—making connections with unlikely friends and attracting potential enemies. But if Bella doesn’t put her trust in her neighbors and learn how to bring her community together, her home—and her future—will never be the same.
From author Maurice Broaddus comes a heartfelt and genuine story about building community, finding family, and the power of Black Girl Magic.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published April 19, 2022
15 people are currently reading
2748 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 21, 2022
What an impactful, & deeply moving story. And such an IMPORTANT story at that. So many amazing things about this book. So many issues brought up that are so wrong with our country still. Like the “forgotten” neighborhoods. Where the city/state/government SHOULD be helping them, but aren’t. This makes me wonder about things like what happens in this book with the neighborhoods money it’s SUPPOSED to get, but doesn’t-wondering if that is actually being allowed to happen & WHY?! It probably is. So evil. Definitely going to be looking into researching this more. I love books that make me learn more, especially about important issues, & books that make me think & ask questions.
I know the “street life” aspect of the story is all too real. People like Pass in here, that everyone in the town knows & fears that name. The youth that choose to go down the wrong path sometimes like 2 boys in this, & end up running with people like that. Also, homeless kids. That broke my heart. So many heartbreaking things, all the more heartbreaking-because this isn’t a fantasy story..this has REAL LIFE issues.
You can’t judge neighborhoods like this as bad though. It’s not their fault they’re not getting the help they need & deserve, & have to make do with what they have. You can’t judge a community as a whole because of a few bad seeds. Then you miss out on seeing communities DOING the best with what they have, & making the most of it. It’s a beautiful thing to see in some ways-but it still shouldn’t be this way. You’d also miss those amazing souls if only looking at the bad. People like M & Ms. Campbell in here. Doing everything they can to help their neighborhood & the people in it. Never giving up. People that make others feel SEEN, won’t use their mistakes against them..that can mean so much. Like a line in here says, “There's just something real about someone willing to fight for you.”
Money might mean power in some ways, but we all have a voice, & there is power in that as well-great power. Especially when we come together. Bella’s character development/growth was amazing. The author did it at an honest pace too. It took time for her to trust even a little bit. All she’s gone through made her untrusting, & I don’t blame her 1 bit. So many kids aren’t as lucky as Bella to have an M or Ms. Campbell come into their life, & that is heartbreaking. There’s also some mental health discussion in here, I won’t say with who, or with exactly what mental health so not to spoil..but the lead up to that..wow. The author handled that, & everything in here so well.
1 thing with me being me lol I especially loved seeing, was Thmei. A pit bull. They are SO unfairly judged..I understand with everything negative said about them how they seem scarier to some, but it’s all in how you raise them. If ANY dog is treated horribly or forced to fight, etc..no matter the breed you should be extra cautious. Because their souls have been broken basically. And it’s NOT their fault. I’ve had, & seen other pits, that were the biggest babies, & even scared of the dark. Stopping now before I go FULL rant. It was just so nice to not only actually SEE them in a book(might be a 1st), but also see such a great representation.
This is a powerful book with so many amazing messages/themes. Scenes on page 271 & 278 had me all in the feels in all the best book hug worthy ways. The story is empowering, & deeply moving. The writing is superb. The characters are so engaging & endearing, & you ROOT FOR THEM ALL THE WAY. I loved The Land, & all the people we meet. So many relatable issues in here. I even related to starting random fights over nothing so that I would have an excuse to leave them before it occurred to them to abandon me-that used to be me. Another relatable line in here about anger & what to do with it, “Focus my anger on things that need folks angry about them.” & Instead of asking “why me?”, ask “why not me?!”. HIGHLY recommend! BEAUTIFUL cover by Charlot Kristensen too!💜
I know the “street life” aspect of the story is all too real. People like Pass in here, that everyone in the town knows & fears that name. The youth that choose to go down the wrong path sometimes like 2 boys in this, & end up running with people like that. Also, homeless kids. That broke my heart. So many heartbreaking things, all the more heartbreaking-because this isn’t a fantasy story..this has REAL LIFE issues.
You can’t judge neighborhoods like this as bad though. It’s not their fault they’re not getting the help they need & deserve, & have to make do with what they have. You can’t judge a community as a whole because of a few bad seeds. Then you miss out on seeing communities DOING the best with what they have, & making the most of it. It’s a beautiful thing to see in some ways-but it still shouldn’t be this way. You’d also miss those amazing souls if only looking at the bad. People like M & Ms. Campbell in here. Doing everything they can to help their neighborhood & the people in it. Never giving up. People that make others feel SEEN, won’t use their mistakes against them..that can mean so much. Like a line in here says, “There's just something real about someone willing to fight for you.”
Money might mean power in some ways, but we all have a voice, & there is power in that as well-great power. Especially when we come together. Bella’s character development/growth was amazing. The author did it at an honest pace too. It took time for her to trust even a little bit. All she’s gone through made her untrusting, & I don’t blame her 1 bit. So many kids aren’t as lucky as Bella to have an M or Ms. Campbell come into their life, & that is heartbreaking. There’s also some mental health discussion in here, I won’t say with who, or with exactly what mental health so not to spoil..but the lead up to that..wow. The author handled that, & everything in here so well.
1 thing with me being me lol I especially loved seeing, was Thmei. A pit bull. They are SO unfairly judged..I understand with everything negative said about them how they seem scarier to some, but it’s all in how you raise them. If ANY dog is treated horribly or forced to fight, etc..no matter the breed you should be extra cautious. Because their souls have been broken basically. And it’s NOT their fault. I’ve had, & seen other pits, that were the biggest babies, & even scared of the dark. Stopping now before I go FULL rant. It was just so nice to not only actually SEE them in a book(might be a 1st), but also see such a great representation.
This is a powerful book with so many amazing messages/themes. Scenes on page 271 & 278 had me all in the feels in all the best book hug worthy ways. The story is empowering, & deeply moving. The writing is superb. The characters are so engaging & endearing, & you ROOT FOR THEM ALL THE WAY. I loved The Land, & all the people we meet. So many relatable issues in here. I even related to starting random fights over nothing so that I would have an excuse to leave them before it occurred to them to abandon me-that used to be me. Another relatable line in here about anger & what to do with it, “Focus my anger on things that need folks angry about them.” & Instead of asking “why me?”, ask “why not me?!”. HIGHLY recommend! BEAUTIFUL cover by Charlot Kristensen too!💜
May 21, 2022
I would sell this to kids by reading the first sentence ("I jump behind a pillar as soon as I see the police car slow rolling down Clifton Street") and I would sell this to adults/caregivers/teachers by saying it's the Wire for kids. Highly recommend.
July 29, 2022
Perfect blend of solving-a-mystery-that-doesn't-involve-a-death and this-is-how-we-make-the-world-a-better-place. Would recommend to fans of The Wire or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
May 31, 2022
This gets a 2.5 stars. Bella is a very likable character within a story of the creation and importance of community. There were too many passages involving taxes, how government functions or doesn't function, and misappropriation of funds for readers to plow through.
October 28, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Bella Fades lives in inner city Indianapolis, and since her single mother is no longer able to take care of her, is spending her summer squatting in an abandoned house that used to belong to a local artist. She spends a lot of time painting graffiti in the area, and her tag is "Unfadeable". She is occasionally caught by the police, who let her go with warnings and occasionally confiscate her paint. She has an ally in Ms. Campbell, who is on the neighborhood association and runs a local pantry/after school snack program. When Bella decides to approach the association about getting money for a children's art initiative in the area (which she calls "the Land", but which has the official designation of the United Northwest Area), she runs afoul of Mattea Larrimore, an elderly lady who is in charge of the association. There is a large quantity of money that the association has in the budget from taxes, and they have decided to allocate a lot of it to a local park. Others in the association have plans as well. Bella investigates that park, and finds that it looks half done. She is also concerned that a charter school is being planned when her own public school is in dire need of funding. She comes in contact with Menelik Paschall, the brother of Pass, who is involved in minor local crime, but who offers to help her. He is caring for Aaries, who helps M out with daily chores since M has limited vision, and has a dog named Thmei. M isn't a fan of Mattea, so uses his connections to get Bella access to meetings and records that address how the neighborhood association is spending money. When efforts to tear down local business and dramatically change the neighborhood come to light, Bella intensifies her search for information, even though a couple of local bullies are on her case. Mattea manages to have children's services remove Bella from the abandoned house, but they have her best interest at heart, and she is placed with Ms. Campbell. Will Bella be able to document the wrongdoing in the area and make the adults in charge listen to the story of corruption that she encounters?
Strengths: Like the characters in this author's The Usual Suspects, Bella is a well meaning young person who has many challenges. While her mother was supportive and taught her a lot of neighborhood history, she also struggled with mental health issues which were not properly addressed. Bella is engaged in illegal tagging, and is also working outside the system and living on her own. She sees things that are going wrong in her neighborhood, though, and works through the system to address injustices, even when the adults work against her. I love the community that she creates for herself. The cover is wonderfully eye catching. I appreciate the sympathetic portrait of children's services.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of information about politics and community organizing that I had to really think through, so I wonder if young readers unfamiliar with these situations might struggle with this a bit. Also, isn't tagging illegal? It seems like Bella's exploits are being encouraged, which I found confusing. I can't imagine graffiti being tolerated in my neighborhood.
What I really think: I love reading about different neighborhoods, and wish that more areas of the US incorporated housing with shops, schools, parks, and community services. Books like Chari's Karthik Delivers, Giles' Take Back the Block, Watson's This Side of Home, and Cartaya's The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora all describe these neighborhoods and the impact that they have on their communities. Readers unfamiliar with the urban landscape will find Unfadeable to be an interesting look at an unfamiliar environment, and those from similar neighborhoods will be glad to see a similar environment that they can compare to their own.
Bella Fades lives in inner city Indianapolis, and since her single mother is no longer able to take care of her, is spending her summer squatting in an abandoned house that used to belong to a local artist. She spends a lot of time painting graffiti in the area, and her tag is "Unfadeable". She is occasionally caught by the police, who let her go with warnings and occasionally confiscate her paint. She has an ally in Ms. Campbell, who is on the neighborhood association and runs a local pantry/after school snack program. When Bella decides to approach the association about getting money for a children's art initiative in the area (which she calls "the Land", but which has the official designation of the United Northwest Area), she runs afoul of Mattea Larrimore, an elderly lady who is in charge of the association. There is a large quantity of money that the association has in the budget from taxes, and they have decided to allocate a lot of it to a local park. Others in the association have plans as well. Bella investigates that park, and finds that it looks half done. She is also concerned that a charter school is being planned when her own public school is in dire need of funding. She comes in contact with Menelik Paschall, the brother of Pass, who is involved in minor local crime, but who offers to help her. He is caring for Aaries, who helps M out with daily chores since M has limited vision, and has a dog named Thmei. M isn't a fan of Mattea, so uses his connections to get Bella access to meetings and records that address how the neighborhood association is spending money. When efforts to tear down local business and dramatically change the neighborhood come to light, Bella intensifies her search for information, even though a couple of local bullies are on her case. Mattea manages to have children's services remove Bella from the abandoned house, but they have her best interest at heart, and she is placed with Ms. Campbell. Will Bella be able to document the wrongdoing in the area and make the adults in charge listen to the story of corruption that she encounters?
Strengths: Like the characters in this author's The Usual Suspects, Bella is a well meaning young person who has many challenges. While her mother was supportive and taught her a lot of neighborhood history, she also struggled with mental health issues which were not properly addressed. Bella is engaged in illegal tagging, and is also working outside the system and living on her own. She sees things that are going wrong in her neighborhood, though, and works through the system to address injustices, even when the adults work against her. I love the community that she creates for herself. The cover is wonderfully eye catching. I appreciate the sympathetic portrait of children's services.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of information about politics and community organizing that I had to really think through, so I wonder if young readers unfamiliar with these situations might struggle with this a bit. Also, isn't tagging illegal? It seems like Bella's exploits are being encouraged, which I found confusing. I can't imagine graffiti being tolerated in my neighborhood.
What I really think: I love reading about different neighborhoods, and wish that more areas of the US incorporated housing with shops, schools, parks, and community services. Books like Chari's Karthik Delivers, Giles' Take Back the Block, Watson's This Side of Home, and Cartaya's The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora all describe these neighborhoods and the impact that they have on their communities. Readers unfamiliar with the urban landscape will find Unfadeable to be an interesting look at an unfamiliar environment, and those from similar neighborhoods will be glad to see a similar environment that they can compare to their own.
July 3, 2022
Bella is living a double life. Secretly homeless since her family came apart at the seas, she's become an expert at making herself scarce to survive. This also helps her (usually) stay a step ahead of the police as she's tagging the neighborhood with her guerrilla art strikes. She's not opposed to going legit but art opportunities for teens are few and far between. In her efforts to lobby her neighbors for an art program, she ends up stumbling into something much, much bigger.
First of all, the characters here are incredible. Fun, vibrant, and people you'll root for. Broaddus also managed to explain TIF districts (which I have *never* understood) in a way that actually makes sense. There's a lot of heaviness here but it's ultimately empowering and a great illustration of the power in politics even at a local level. A nice ray of hope in times that are pretty dark.
First of all, the characters here are incredible. Fun, vibrant, and people you'll root for. Broaddus also managed to explain TIF districts (which I have *never* understood) in a way that actually makes sense. There's a lot of heaviness here but it's ultimately empowering and a great illustration of the power in politics even at a local level. A nice ray of hope in times that are pretty dark.
February 9, 2023
A good but inconsistent middle-grade story of a 13-year-old homeless graffiti artist who becomes a neighborhood agitator and organizer when she learns about some shady business dealings that are victimizing the residents of her impoverished northwest Indianapolis community.
There's a lot to like here: a spunky and outspoken protagonist, a couple of wise and compassionate mentors, and an unflinching narrative of teenage conflicts and survival. But there are also pacing problems and implausibilities that distract from the goodness: what graffiti writer uses a tag as long as Unfadeable? Also, the community meeting climax feels way too much like it was hijacked by a teenaged Matlock. Even with its problems, it's still a worthwhile read for those who care about family, community, and justice, and fits nicely into my hip hop reading challenge.
There's a lot to like here: a spunky and outspoken protagonist, a couple of wise and compassionate mentors, and an unflinching narrative of teenage conflicts and survival. But there are also pacing problems and implausibilities that distract from the goodness: what graffiti writer uses a tag as long as Unfadeable? Also, the community meeting climax feels way too much like it was hijacked by a teenaged Matlock. Even with its problems, it's still a worthwhile read for those who care about family, community, and justice, and fits nicely into my hip hop reading challenge.
October 7, 2022
Wow!! Incredible STRONG voice, snappy dialogue and plot, and a story full of heart. Pretty rare to read about teenage homelessness much less a book about a homeless teen turned community activist.
I love Bella’s spunk and attitude and the adults who surround her (M and Ms. Campbell) are fabulous. I loved seeing her discover how power works in the world and that her voice is powerful. Great book for showing kids that they can make a difference!
Love the pit bull representation! My own pitty mutt is the love of my life!!!
I love Bella’s spunk and attitude and the adults who surround her (M and Ms. Campbell) are fabulous. I loved seeing her discover how power works in the world and that her voice is powerful. Great book for showing kids that they can make a difference!
Love the pit bull representation! My own pitty mutt is the love of my life!!!
March 13, 2022
Bella Fades is UNFADEABLE! An amazing story about community, using your voice, and found family. When Bella decides she wants to create an arts program during the summer for people who live in her neighborhood, The Land, she finds out that people are misusing the funds to build her community up. I really enjoyed Bella's character; she has learned the tricks needed to avoid child services, is creative and curious. Mr. M is a great example of a mentor/teacher; he allowed Bella to make mistakes, but still supports her on her journey. This book shows young people their voice is worth being heard! Must have for middle school classrooms!
Thanks Netgalley!
Thanks Netgalley!
March 22, 2022
I appreciate a MG novel with a strong and ingenious protagonist. Bella has a tough life, but she's willing to fight for her community, The Land, and what's right.
May 10, 2022
What an inspirational book-really! It took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I could not put it down. I read it in one sitting. There is so much going on, yet it doesn't feel overwhelming. Bella is a middle-school girl experiencing homelessness by herself. She is a strong girl and I am so glad that this was told in her perspective. Not every girl her age has the same upbringing. Some people have to grow up faster than others and their stories need to be told. I know this is fiction, but what Bella goes through is real. She's a strong girl because she needs to be, but it was so awesome seeing her walls come down with key people in the book. It was gradual, and I wouldn't expect anything less from Bella. Unfadeable is a perfect reminder that kids have power and listening to them matters. By the way, great title, isn't it? Big thanks to NetGalley for an ebook arc of this book. Highly recommend if you want to read about resilience, community, and using your voice!
October 13, 2023
Bella "Unfadeable" Fades has been living on her own since her mom went to a mental hospital. "Unfadeable" is her tagging name. She does her own laundry, keeps a cell phone charged, and finds food, which leads her to a meeting at the library, where she was promised there would be snacks. When she learns there's no money for an arts program in her neighborhood, The Land, she is pulled into a new world learning the ins and outs of local government, taxes, power, and corruption. She loves her community and wants to protect it and keep it going for the community. A great story of children making change, and in a more realistic way than many books by focusing on the local level. For fans of A Good Kind of Trouble, From the Desk of Zoe Washington, and Take Back the Block. It also reminded me a little of The Vanderbeekers and High Score with the zoomed in focus on a specific community and kids planning and leading change.
Read
July 13, 2022There are only two kinds of people in the world: The caught, and the uncaught. In UNFADEABLE, Indiana author, Maurice Broaddus, features both, and provides the reader with a thought-provoking story about the power, resilience, strength, and determination of young people, and how adults underestimate these rising voices.
This journey begins when we meet thirteen-year-old Isabella “Bella” Fades, a smart, confident brown girl with a black belt in bad attitude. Her salty nature can be blamed on losing both parents, hustling to survive, and dodging child protective services by hiding in an abandoned house with no electricity or running water. She inherited her mother’s talent as a tagger, and paints beautiful graffiti art around her neighborhood, under the pen name, UNFADEABLE...
Read Crystal Allen's full review at: https://www.indianaauthorsawards.org/...
This journey begins when we meet thirteen-year-old Isabella “Bella” Fades, a smart, confident brown girl with a black belt in bad attitude. Her salty nature can be blamed on losing both parents, hustling to survive, and dodging child protective services by hiding in an abandoned house with no electricity or running water. She inherited her mother’s talent as a tagger, and paints beautiful graffiti art around her neighborhood, under the pen name, UNFADEABLE...
Read Crystal Allen's full review at: https://www.indianaauthorsawards.org/...
June 12, 2025
This isn’t a genre I read often and was just planning to skim this book, but the story kept me engaged until the end. The young main character felt believable and fleshed out, and the supporting characters were intriguing. The plot was believable, and since I live in Indianapolis, I have driven past some of these settings. The resolution felt maybe a just a little quick, but for this sort of story, it works. Both the plot and character arc end in uplifting ways, but it doesn’t become overly saccharin or Pollyannaish, which helps maintain the realism. Also there is a dog in, it and this added to the realism and my enjoyment as well as giving the character a distraction.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a great job with this character.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a great job with this character.
December 21, 2021
Things I loved about this book:
Bella's strong sense of self-worth and willingness to stand her ground
The story feels authentically written and focuses on a homeless child and graffiti artist
The caring adults are amazing about respecting Bella enough to let her make her own mistakes and decisions and learn from them
Bella's extraordinary bank of knowledge -- not just of the history and the people in her neighborhood, but also the undercurrents that determine actions -- I think a lot of kids have this, but it is rarely portrayed
It's an empowering story about changing the world and fighting entrenched power
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Bella's strong sense of self-worth and willingness to stand her ground
The story feels authentically written and focuses on a homeless child and graffiti artist
The caring adults are amazing about respecting Bella enough to let her make her own mistakes and decisions and learn from them
Bella's extraordinary bank of knowledge -- not just of the history and the people in her neighborhood, but also the undercurrents that determine actions -- I think a lot of kids have this, but it is rarely portrayed
It's an empowering story about changing the world and fighting entrenched power
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
April 9, 2022
Thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsch for the advance Kindle copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this 4/15/22 release. Isabella Fades, a homeless girl in Indianapolis, channels her feelings by tagging. She goes by Unfadeable. When her request for a summer community art project is denied, she senses that something is amiss in her beloved community. With the help of some unlikely friends, she investigates, finding the meaning of family along the way. A love story to a forgotten pocket of the community, I loved the parallels between Bella and her home. Highly recommend for grades 6-8.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this 4/15/22 release. Isabella Fades, a homeless girl in Indianapolis, channels her feelings by tagging. She goes by Unfadeable. When her request for a summer community art project is denied, she senses that something is amiss in her beloved community. With the help of some unlikely friends, she investigates, finding the meaning of family along the way. A love story to a forgotten pocket of the community, I loved the parallels between Bella and her home. Highly recommend for grades 6-8.
June 18, 2022
#Unfadeable was one of those books that I love because I'm not in a rush to finish it. I was excited to finish it, but it was a calm excitement. Bella was a character you root for straight from the beginning. I enjoyed learning about her background throughout the book. It was a sprinkle here and there instead of the whole story up front and each new part we learned made sense with what was happening currently in the narrative. It was also set aside in a different font so that my students won't get confused that what they are reading has shifted. This will definitely be on my list for my classroom library. Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
October 20, 2022
Despite the cartoonish cover, this is a serious book about real life issues for certain people in certain parts of the US. As I read this book, I kept waiting for “serious bad” to occur. The life depicted is so far removed from my privileged White life. And the differences between the haves, the have nots, and the ongoing corruption in this country this book describes kept causing me stress, so much that I wanted to stop reading….but did not.
And I am glad I did not.
This may be described as “juvenile fiction” as catalogued in my local library, however, every adult should read this too.
Well written, good story, telling the truth for so many.
And I am glad I did not.
This may be described as “juvenile fiction” as catalogued in my local library, however, every adult should read this too.
Well written, good story, telling the truth for so many.
October 25, 2022
While there were parts of this book I really enjoyed, it often felt bogged down by bureaucracy, which I suppose is part of the point. Going into this book, I was under the impression that her being a graffiti artist would be a major aspect of the narrative, but it wasn't really. The story mostly was focused around local government, how it's funded, and whether or not those funds really help the people. While these are obviously important issues, I just can't see a tween getting past these sections in the story without getting bored and giving up. I did, however, enjoy the way the main character spoke. It felt like there was a pretty authentic use of "youth culture slang".
December 5, 2022
3.5 stars
Bella lives in the area of Indianapolis known as "the Land". She is currently squatting in an empty house on her own as her mom is struggling with mental health issues. Bella is an artist and an activist. She uses her graffitti and her tagging to speak out for what she believes in - which currently is saving her neighborhood, which the local government wants to gentrify.
There is a lot of political jargon in here, especially around tases, land use, etc. It was a bit much for me so I don't know how students will do with it. They'll probably skim over it, too. =)
Give this to your fans of Karthik Delivers, A Good Kind of Trouble, and other social justice novels.
Bella lives in the area of Indianapolis known as "the Land". She is currently squatting in an empty house on her own as her mom is struggling with mental health issues. Bella is an artist and an activist. She uses her graffitti and her tagging to speak out for what she believes in - which currently is saving her neighborhood, which the local government wants to gentrify.
There is a lot of political jargon in here, especially around tases, land use, etc. It was a bit much for me so I don't know how students will do with it. They'll probably skim over it, too. =)
Give this to your fans of Karthik Delivers, A Good Kind of Trouble, and other social justice novels.
January 24, 2023
A quick read about a young girl whose neigborhood is facing gentrification. This book is all about community and taking care of where you live. This one definitely has its heavy sides. There's talk of paerntal death, mental illness, poverty, and gangs.
Bella considers herselftobe pretty street smart, and she is. She knows the truth about what happens in her neighborhood and if she doesn't, she's determined to find out. She's not a trusting person. A quick note that art wise, the book talks moreabout her sketching with paper and charcoal than about graffiti.
I could potentially see this one being a fit for readers who liked THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.
Bella considers herselftobe pretty street smart, and she is. She knows the truth about what happens in her neighborhood and if she doesn't, she's determined to find out. She's not a trusting person. A quick note that art wise, the book talks moreabout her sketching with paper and charcoal than about graffiti.
I could potentially see this one being a fit for readers who liked THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.
June 11, 2022
It's no easy feat to create a briskly paced middle grade novel that also manages to touch on the nuances and complexities of urban life and politics, but Broaddus does a terrific job here. Unfadeable is a story about corruption, politics, privilege, and systemic racism, but it's also a tale about good people, agency, hope, and boundless love. Bella Fades, the young protagonist with a fraught past, shines in her quest to uncover the actions of self-interested power players, and the characters around her brim with life. A great story about a powerful girl set in a big world.
August 24, 2022
I've noticed a popular theme in children's literature lately and that is kids going to speak at community boards where the adults are mismanaging things, and this book fits right in line with that theme. I thought the start was a little slow here, and I often had trouble believing that Bella was a thirteen-year-old taking such good care of herself since she had no parents looking out for her (who was paying her phone bill and how was she paying for paint?), but it ramped up to a spirited ending.
May 25, 2023
- Really great way of explaining to a younger audience how city planning/funding/organizing happens
- Good representation of some kid’s harsh realities
- The power of community and the importance of fighting for good things
- Important lessons of making sure kids look at the big picture, see all the pieces at play
- Bella was so headstrong and slow to warm up (rightfully so), which made it all the more heart warming to see how she changes over the course of the book as each step she takes hits closer to home and forces her to confront/share these vulnerable parts of herself and to trust
- Good representation of some kid’s harsh realities
- The power of community and the importance of fighting for good things
- Important lessons of making sure kids look at the big picture, see all the pieces at play
- Bella was so headstrong and slow to warm up (rightfully so), which made it all the more heart warming to see how she changes over the course of the book as each step she takes hits closer to home and forces her to confront/share these vulnerable parts of herself and to trust
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2022
Bella “Unfadeable” Fades, a graffiti artist – and a kid, is on her own in her Indianapolis neighborhood. She spends her days scrounging for food, laundry money, paint supplies, and a place to charge her phone. Fortunately she has neighbors who look after her. When her neighbor hires her to investigate a gentrification project that seems to be spending a lot of city money with few visible results, she is determined to fight for the future of her neighborhood.
November 26, 2022
11/25/2022 ~ A fascinating look at community organizing, adults mentoring youth, teen homelessness, and governmental tax structures. I really enjoyed Bella's spunk & was glad to see the adults in her life patiently build connections to help her create a family for herself.
Some of the situations seemed a bit far-fetched; I don't think Bella could have held the mic as long as she did at the final community meeting. I'm definitely adding this to my elementary library.
Some of the situations seemed a bit far-fetched; I don't think Bella could have held the mic as long as she did at the final community meeting. I'm definitely adding this to my elementary library.
December 24, 2022
Bella Fades won’t be messed with, she fends for herself. Until she gets caught up in a community meeting and some fantastic adults figure out how to help her and help her learn to make change in her community.
There’s a lot of realism in how the community works, complete with gangs and TIFs and boards and whatnot. There is some suspension of disbelief around Bella’s situation but we know kids skip through the cracks all the time. Empowering and smart, love the community focus here.
There’s a lot of realism in how the community works, complete with gangs and TIFs and boards and whatnot. There is some suspension of disbelief around Bella’s situation but we know kids skip through the cracks all the time. Empowering and smart, love the community focus here.
September 19, 2021
Loved the characters and atmosphere of The Land. Really appreciate how empowering this story is — it felt like the best of 70s kidlit that way. Angry kids will see themselves succeeding and being loved despite pricklyness and trust issues. Artsy kids will see the value of their unique perspectives. And Oreo lovers who need to charge their phones will definitely feel seen. Just a corker!!
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