I really loved this one! I loved Wren from the beginning! I think there are a lot of middle grade books out there right now that focus on divorce or parents separating and it is definitely a hard subject to express fully. But I think Barbara Dee does a great job of showing how this has affected Wren but also how she sees it affecting her mom. This is just a really beautifully written book that is a fast read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Figuring out who you really are and who you want to be in middle school is a HUGE challenge, but Wren has the added challenge of not getting to make any real decisions about her life because of her parents and other family problems.
Wren falls in love with stage makeup and revealing the real you instead of masking it thanks to YouTube MakeUp tutorials. Balancing newly divorced parents, new family, new school, new friends and her Mom's big secret is weighing heavily on Wren, but she manages to get through it all with a few close friends and deep connections.
Dee does an incredible job of writing real characters in challenging situations that deal with tough topics in an age appropriate way.

If you have not yet caught on that Barbara Dee is a brilliant writer, you are behind the times! She continues to produce modern, unique, and empowering stories that are important for middle grades students. I read Violets are Blue in one sitting. Many children could relate to living with divorced parents, travelling between two families for holidays, and trying to understand how to deal with their emotions for one parent when around the other. Barbara Dee weaves all of this together in the novel, Violets are Blue, telling the story of Wren whose parents divorce and father remarries as well as has twins with his new wife. Wren begins to watch her mother spiral in and out of control. Middle grades children will relate to this novel because Dee is able to connect readers to Wren’s life at home as well as at school. Wren is holding on to the one friend she feels she has while trying to navigate the always murky waters of middle school and not become an outcast. She doesn’t know how to manage her feelings, which is often the case in middle school, but Wren does have one hobby, applying special effects makeup, that helps her find a safe place and release for herself, as well as connect with her mom. Another great book from Barbara Dee with a relatable character to connect with middle grades children. Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. #hope #empathy #findyourvoice #MGBookClub @Barbaradee2 #VioletsAreBlue #beautifulbookcover

Violets Are Blue is the story about Wren, a girl who loves make-up and learning how to create amazing creations by listening to her favorite artist. Her parents are divorced, and she lives mostly with her mom. She visits her dad and his new wife as well. Wren has been learning that her mom is not as dependable as she wants. Wren is left to spend a lot of time on her own and take care of herself. She does decide to become involved at school in the musical performance of Wicked. She comes out of her shell a bit more and makes some friends. There is an event that happens that changes everything for Wren and her family. This is a touching book, and we learn so much about Wren. She is such a strong character on so many levels. I think readers will love reading this book and discussing the topics in it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Wren has experienced the divorce of her parents, a stepmom added to her family, a bully at school, and a move to a new town all in a very short amount of time. One good thing happens; Wren gains the friendship of Poppy at her new school. Through her internet idol, CatFX, Wren discovers her passion for creating special effects makeup. Her talent gets her noticed in the upcoming school musical, Wicked. However, home life with her mom is on a rocky road. Wren catches her mom in lies and other strange things are happening that center around her mom's job as an ER nurse. As Wren deals with her own issues and now her mother's, she will discover who she really is...her true self.
Barbara Dee does it again! This MG book brings to light an important issue in our society - opioid drug addiction. Ms. Dee presents this problem in a way that fits the age of the readers and brings the main character's growth to the forefront of the storyline.

This is a wonderful book about Dealing with substance abuse and addiction in a family. I think many readers - young and old - will get something out of this story. Barbara Dee once again hits it out of the park.