Bella “Unfadeable” Fades is a young graffiti artist known for tagging bridges and walls about the things that are important in her Indianapolis neighborhood, the Land. Living on her own in an abandoned house Bella works hard to stay clear of anyone who might tip off social services. When she has the idea to launch an art program for her neighborhood she finds that the people in power are mishandling funds to the detriment of the neighborhood. She is hired by a local artist to look into the people in power and must learn to bring her community together to fight the injustice.

This was a quick, enjoyable read if at times a bit inconsistent. Unfadeable is a spunky and outspoken main character who puts together a cast of lovable community members to fight the people in power. What prevented this story from being more than three stars, for me, were pacing issues and implausibilities that at times distracted from the story. In particular, I found it very odd that the adults did not take more action themselves and instead hired a young girl to do their investigative work.

Overall, I would recommend this to middle-grade readers who enjoy books about social justice, and community building.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

#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.

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!

Bella “Unfadeable” Fades wants nothing more than to help her community because she loves The Land. Proposing an art project and the community governance meeting takes a turn into politics, missing community funds, and a crew she never knew she needed. Bella rises to the top in trying to do what is best for her community with heart, attitude, and a knack for investigation she never knew she had. She finds power and community in places she never thought to look.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bella “Unfadeable” Fades is living on her own in an abandoned house. Her efforts to start a community art project lead her to discovery some questionable practices occurring in her city management—which leads to her making some enemies, as well as unexpected allies.

The story explains how Bella came to be on her own, but it’s really about what a difference one kid can make, with a little support. And maybe a reminder that children are the future, and just might know more about what their communities need than they’re given credit for.

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.

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!

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 grafitti 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 wrong doing 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 adress injustices, even when the adults work against her. I love the community that she creates for herself. The cover is wonderfully eyecatching. I appreciate the sympathetic portrait of children't services.
Weaknesses: There was a lot of information about politics and community organizing that I had to work a bit to process, so I wonder if young readers might struggle with this a bit. Also, isn't tagging illegal? It seems like Bella's exploits are being encouraged, which I found confusing.
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.

Bella shows us that we need to value the voices of our young people. Her story is powerful, just like her voice. Everyone should read this book!

A wonderful book about community, and to show that not matter what age you are you can stand up for what you believe in and make a difference.

If you want a great middle schooler book about homelessness, community, and speaking up for yourself and others, this is the book you must read.
I have to admit, at times I was concerned about what might happen next. I was anxious and curious at the same time. It's a great read.
It would be in my top 10 books to read this year.

I really like Bella's commitment to her community and it's own ecosystem. I like in Indiana and am pleased by the setting and that Mr. Broaddus knows the city as well. I'm glad she has a support system that she learns to recognize and accept. But mostly I enjoy that kids will receive a civics lesson from this book without really knowing it.