This book is about a teenage Black girl who gets sucked into the world of a much older man. The consequences are devastating for her and her family. The book does a great job of showcasing how young Black women are often seen as older and more mature than they actually are, and how this can cause a lot of struggle for them. Due to the graphic nature of some of the scenes (General and sexual violence) I wouldn’t feel comfortable having this in my classroom for all to read, but know I could recommend it to certain readers.

Now more than ever young readers need the courageous work of Tiffany Jackson. At times well-meaning and valid calls for more stories featuring BIPOC characters that are not “centered” on “struggle” undervalue the need of youth from marginalized communities to see their challenges with the “isms” validated as much as they may need escapist fare. As with all her previous novels, Jackson’s GROWN continues to tackle the ways that Black girl magic is disrupted with both honesty and sensitivity while still delivering another page-turner that fans like me come to expect. In her hands, what could have been little more than an entertaining ripped-from-the-headlines story about a young Black girl whose dreams of becoming a recording artist gets ensnared by a charismatic but abusive superstar also become an exploration of such things as respectability, colorism and class politics. Jackson gives seventeen-year old Enchanted Jones as much agency as she does vulnerability which will make her recognizable to young readers of all backgrounds. In fact, GROWN would be a fantastic addition to any sex ed class seeking to engage students in difficult but necessary conversations about forging healthy relationships, recognizing flags and setting boundaries.

I loved how different this book was! Tiffany Jackson gives a voice to young black women and validates their struggles and strengths. Enchanted was such a relatable character and I held my breath the entire book! It was heartbreaking how no one listened to her, but I loved that she found the confidence to stand up to Korey and all of his enablers.

I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in a single sitting, breathless. Enchanted is an incredible talent who’s been caught under the wing of a manipulative star 11 years her senior. The alternating timelines keep the pace quick and make it impossible to put down. Of course anyone who’s enjoyed Jackson’s other work will enjoy this, but I could see anyone who likes thrillers loving it. Any Karen McManus fan will love it.

I was drawn to this book because of the cover and I had no idea what it was about. I was initially regretting my twist to read it when I found out it was inspired by the R. Kelly case only because I did see the documentary and it was just so graphic and upsetting. However, I think the author did an amazing job at telling such a horrible story in a digestible way. There is the f word a few times and obviously the subject matter is mature.

I’ve read Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, but Grown is by far my favorite of her work! This book explores the dark and disturbing truth of the music industry and sheds light on how higher ups use their power to manipulate and control young women to suit their needs while brainwashing them with the hopes of stardom, wealth and fame. I felt for Enchanted and her family as they were completely swept up in Korey Fields and were so powerless to stop his advances. This is a great fictional take on what has really happened in the news and how victims are often silenced. It exposes the harsh reality and truth to stories like these and is a cautionary tale for young artists to protect themselves against power hungry men that can be so destructive and damaging to their well-being while making empty promises to lure them in. Grown is an insightful and gripping read that has so much to say about society at large. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in reading about controversy in the entertainment industry and proponents of the Me Too movement.

One of the most important books I’ve read this year! It also talks about rape culture and other topics.

This book had me hooked from the first sentence, and I had a hard time putting this book down once I had started it. And when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. And talking about it. And telling everyone I know to order it.
It was dark and twisty and the turns it took me on at the end had me holding my breath. I finished this book in two sittings, but definitely had to take breaks to stop and process. Jackson's Grown is a scalding spotlight on the #metoo movement in the entertainment industry, and the system that constantly fails young girls- especially young Black girls.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“The most disrespected women in America is the black women. The most unprotected women in America is the black women. The most neglected women in America is the black women” - Malcolm x

Enchanted is a 15 year old singer and song writer. She loves to sing, hang out with her friends after school, and swim. All her life she wanted to be on the stage doing what she loved surrounded by the people she loved. Until one morning she wakes up with blood on her hands, in a hotel room, and a dead superstar. With no recollection of the night before, Enchanted knows it was not her. Before this morning, Enchanted goes to an audition and runs into Korey Fields, the biggest superstar that Enchanted could think of. Korey, 28, dazzles Enchanted with his fame, power, and money. When Enchanted is alone with Korey, there is no telling what he will do. The superstar that the world thinks they know, is not the same behind closed doors.

Wow. What a powerful book. The author’s note specifically said that this isn’t about the man who should not be named (R Kelly.) It’s about an entire culture of men who abuse their power and fame to groom girls and the public it looks like no big deal. It’s about a society that truly does not do enough to protect little girls of color. It’s about a society that rather turns a blind eye to degrading sex crimes (or any crime) to protect a beloved celebrity. Enchanted is forced to go through hell and back. She’s forced to grow up too fast when all she wants to do is go to her school’s homecoming.

The writing in this book was phenomenal. The many allusions to the sea was a perfect way to encapsulate the way Enchanted must have felt.

“Meanwhile, all I wanted to do was grow up fast, love him hard, and sing around the world. But the adult world pushed me down a plank and fed me to the crocodiles.”

WOW. This one hits hard and relentlessly. Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson is unflinching and unparalleled in its depiction of the highs and lows of being a talented Black girl, falling into fame at the hands of a man who should make better choices. My heart broke on every page, and there were times I wanted to scream and throw the book across the room for its audacity to tear me apart. But I kept going, to be a witness for Enchanted in her story - abandoned by so many others who are too quick to pass judgement. I kept going to be a witness for the prejudice Black girls face in all facets of their lives in our modern-but-backward world. I encourage everyone to read this, and to open their hearts in compassion to how some people's hurts get buried under the shadow of a famous rich man...and how power and wealth can blind us to his crimes.

WOW WOW WOW! I couldn't put this book down and read it in one desperate gulp. I don't even have words to describe the roller coaster of GROWN!

This was my first Tiffany D. Jackson read... and DANG I’ve been missing out! I like to read book “blind”- without reading the back- and this book unexpectedly checked off my love for a little dark, a little twisty, and a little psychologically thrilling.

Definitely recommend this book, and I will be checking out a few of her other books ASAP!

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me a copy of the digital audio copy of Grown. All thoughts are my own.
I love this book. That is all,
In all seriousness, this book was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020 for me, and I am so grateful to gain an early release of this book. This book is deep, and it explores murder, mystery, sexual assault, fame fortune, and what it takes to risk it all in order to achieve your dreams.
As a middle school educator, I find this book a bit too old for the readers, but I would keep it in my class library for advanced readers.
I would recommend people to give this book a chance and to read other works by Tiffany D. Jackson.

Thank You, NetGalley! I am grateful for the ability to read this book before publication.

Last Year, I watched the series on Lifetime named "Surviving R.Kelly." The author does point out that it is not directly pointed at this singer, it is directed at the issue of power. The only reason I am speaking about R.Kelly is because it may be a good social refrence point if you are new to the issues of the music industry.

Grown is a gripping novel that is narrated by Enchanted Jones. The chapters alternate between "Then" and "Now." Enchanted Jones has a dream of becoming a singer. While most people only think of music as a concept, she wants to create music for others and sing on stage. Ms. Jones walks us through her journey of optimism to being forced to become strong after tumult enters her life. Tumult enters her life in the form of a famous singer named Korey. The music industry is not always glitz and glamour.

This book is heavy. Most people understand that the music industry is not always kind. However, some of the sights and occurences are beyond some people's imagination. This story is important though because it brings to light what happens when someone has too much power. It allows someone to think before dating a man who is older.

The parents also learn a big lesson in reading the fine print. The music industry does seem to be a maze that must be maneuvered carefully.

I recommend this book to Young Adults who read THUG. It is an important story whether you want to become a pop star or are a parent.

Details Matter- Always Read the Fine Print.

"In my past life, I was a mermaid. I lived deep in the ocean, swimming free, eating crustaceans, and singing five-octave ballads. My notes caused ripples in the sea-whales, turtles, and seahorses alike gathered for my daily concerts. But on land, I struggle to breathe. Humans don't understand my pescatarian diet, and singing is a concept, not an aspiration."

This book. Please be prepared, this one features heavy content that might be triggering for some folks who have experienced abusive relationships, but knowing this story is loosely based on the R. Kelly scandal, I was prepared for such. Tiffany D. Jackson weaves an intricate portrayal into the past and present life of Enchanted, or Chanty Jones, a seventeen year old girl who has been forced to grow up more quickly than most, while taking care of her siblings, participating on the swim team, and then auditioning in the music industry. Once she meets Korey Fields, an anxious feeling settled in my gut, and I knew from then on we would experience deep insight into the horrific world of grooming, sexual abuse, and the mystery of whether or not Enchanted killed Korey. This is most certainly mature YA fiction, but if you can handle the graphic nature of the content included, I highly recommend this tale, as it is important, timely, and necessary.

If I had the physical copy of this book I would be hugging it right now. What an incredible raw and searing story the master of teen lit has created here. What happens when a girl is groomed by an older man and doesn’t even see it happening but the readers do? So powerful, so hard to read, and shines such a spotlight on not just how girls are treated when they step forward with allegations of abuse but the even larger dismissal of Black girls. For high school and up. Preorder this now. #Pernillerecommends

This book is amazing. I could not put it down. There were so many twists and turns and the book had me guessing until the end. I do not want to give too much away, but this book covers things like consent, rape, sexual assault, and powerful men getting away with things. This is a young adult book, but fans of adult books like Where the Crawdads Sing will enjoy this one.

Holy Moly! I devoured this book in a day. I could not tear myself away. YA mystery/thriller/social commentary expert Tiffany Jackson has done it again. This book will be an easy sell for mature teens.
Not an easy read, but a necessary one. And that strikingly gorgeous cover!

Tiffany D.Jackson has done it again. She is a beast with the psychological thrillers that are so close to reality. This is no different. We always see how young girls are taken advantage of from older men and when fame and money comes into play, it’s a downward spiral into pain, heartache, and destruction. This can and continues to happen daily. I think it being told from the girl’s point of view is important to see what these women may be facing in situations like this.

Tiffany Jackson states repeatedly that this book is not about R. Kelly. And it isn’t. But it could be.

In the same way that adult men think it is ok to prey upon underage girls with the excuses that they “knew what they were doing” or the way they dressed or needed a father figure or whatever excuse. It could have been about Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein, or any other man in a position of power willing to exert that influence over girls that leads to unhealthy “relationships” or trafficking.

Fans of Allegedly and Monday’s Not Coming need to hang in there. The beginning of the book is a slower build and comes across as a teenage dream to be a star. It is in the second half of the book that the Tiffany Jackson style we know and love really shines. What happens to Enchanted’s predator is no secret even early in the book, but in true Tiffany Jackson fashion, there are twists aplenty. Throughout there are cultural references, a ProjectLIT Easter egg, and pretend social media posts (which ring so true).

I cheered during a police questioning scene where these lines were uttered:

Ms. Evens: Innocent until proven guilty.
Ms. Woods: Yeah, and how many times has that little rule worked in favor of black women?

They are true. Whenever there is a conflict, there is an effort to smear a victim, even more so for Black women who are too often silenced into protecting the reputation of men.

This would be a great addition to a library for free reading, but it would also work well in some of the girls’ groups operating in schools that may discuss why having a boyfriend that is a legal adult may be more of a problem than the girls believe.