Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book was a very good read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. This was a great coming of age story with great character development.

Sherri Winston has a good grasp on the voice of each of her characters. The Braid Girls is writing in three different perspectives and each of them feels unique and as though you can tell whose chapter you are reading without having to be told, though you are told who’s perspective you’re in at the start of each chapter. I really appreciate how this story brings forth one of the primary ways many Black girls make some money, braiding others hair. Each of the girls in this story have their own concerns that impact the experiences of themselves and the other girls. Each of the characters has developed relationships with each of the other girls. I would recommend this book to the young reader in your life, particularly any young Black girls in your life.

EXCELLENT.

I hope all little girls get to read this. Perfect middle grade novel. The girls are adorable and their business venture is really cute.

The Braid Girls is a heartwarming and empowering middle-grade novel that explores friendship, family, and the power of determination. Centered around the story of three young girls—Maggie, Daija, and Callie—the book takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, dreams, and the challenges they face as they navigate a budding braiding business and unexpected rivalries.

The narrative begins with Maggie's world being turned upside down upon learning about her father's secret daughter, Callie, whom nobody knew existed. Despite this revelation, Maggie is determined not to let anything interfere with her plans for a memorable summer with her best friend, Daija. The duo sets out to make money by braiding hair for children in their neighborhood, launching their business as the Braid Girls.

Daija, who has always felt a sisterly connection with Maggie, sees the arrival of Callie as a potential threat to their bond and their new business venture. She is driven by her desire to earn money for extra ballet lessons, hoping to display her talents in a fall dance showcase and gain her distant father's attention and pride.

Meanwhile, Callie is still grieving the loss of her mother and embarks on a journey to live with her previously unknown father and his family. She seizes the opportunity to prove her skills in hair braiding, using it to find acceptance and belonging in her new surroundings.

The strength of the story lies in the unique perspectives and personalities of the three main characters. The author skillfully crafts their voices, showcasing their distinct motivations, dreams, and challenges. As the Braid Girls embark on their summer camp braiding business, they encounter a surge in demand from children with locs, leading to a successful enterprise. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when a rival group, the Sistahs Who Braid, led by Angela, emerges to challenge their success.

The author explores themes of friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams in the story. The book beautifully captures the dynamics between the characters as they navigate their individual struggles while supporting and uplifting one another. The narrative highlights the importance of embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and celebrating the talents and strengths of each individual.

The author's writing style is engaging, creating a vibrant and immersive world within the pages of the book. The descriptions of the braiding process, the camp atmosphere, and the lively interactions between the characters add depth and authenticity to the story.

This book is an uplifting and heartfelt tale that inspires readers to pursue their dreams, embrace friendship, and overcome challenges. Through the intertwining journeys of Maggie, Daija, and Callie, the book conveys powerful messages of self-belief, unity, and the transformative power of working together. It is a delightful and empowering read that will resonate with young readers, leaving them with a sense of joy and inspiration long after the final page is turned.

I give this book 4 stars.

The Braid Girls is an uplifting story following three girls who decide to start their own business to reach their summer goals. Whether it's paying for tutors, dance lessons, or just having some extra spending money, the girls all accomplish their mission while becoming even closer as friends in the process.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

Thank you Netgalley for this Arc

This beautiful book follows the story of three young girls who face unique family challenges. Together, they team up to launch a braiding business during their summer camp. It's an excellent read for middle-grade readers.

This book was so cool, I loved the focus on Black girls, especially since so many books are about white people. The idea of a braiding business was so cool! I think that this would be really inspiring to young Black entrepreneurs.

The Braid Girls tells of friends and family, the pulling and growing of getting to know others and yourself.

Maggie and Daija have been friends ever since Maggie moved to town two years ago. Their parents are friends and their families both act like the other girls belongs with them. They like it that way.

Then, suddenly, Maggie has a sister that no one knew about. Her arrival and the knowledge of her coming threatens to pull all they know apart. Maggie wants to try to make things good and to make things work for her dad's sake. Daija wants to be sure this new girl is on the up and up for Maggie's sake.

When Callie comes to town, there are some surprises, there are some good things, and some not so good. As the girls figure things out, the story also deals with bullying from another group.

Two 12 year old best friends who start a hair braiding business have complications added when Maggie finds out that a half sister she never knew about will be moving in with her family (mom/dad/Maggie/little brother) after the death of her mother and another group of girls with a hair enterprise is trying to horn in on their client base. Daija is strongly outspoken and driven, Maggie is more quiet and reluctant to voice her own opinions and needs, and Callie is finding that she is a blend of the two but is struggling to feel a part of Maggie’s family or a comfortable third alongside two longtime friends. Winston’s story is entertaining and may give other middle grade girls a few ideas about starting their own business. The drama between Daija, Maggie, and Callie is very realistic as is the competitiveness and meanness between the two hair styling endeavors. Lessons are learned by all-Maggie begins to express herself to her friends more, Daija finally comes to a reasonable relationship with her father who now has a new wife and kids, and Callie admits to the grief she has felt after losing her mom and her insecurity about joining her dad’s family. There are some aspects that seem a bit too “pie in the sky” and unlikely, however. With the birthdates and ages of Maggie and Callie, it is unlikely that Maggie’s dad’s relationship with Callie’s mom was prior to meeting Maggie’s mom. (Text in arc says that the two girls are only a few months apart in age.) Even if that is true, the ease in which Callie is folded into her new family seems a little too drama-free, especially on the part of Maggie’s mom. Additionally, while expressing her grief is a part of Callie’s character development, loss of the only parent she has ever known and was extremely close to should have caused far more trauma than she revealed.

Despite a few less than realistic aspects, this is a book that is sure to be enjoyed by girls in grades 4-6, especially with the bit of romance that is incorporated into Maggie’s story arc! Text is free of profanity, violence and sexual content (not even a kiss or hand holding or even a “date,” just some significant looks and a bit of dog walking together). Representation: Single parenthood, divorce and traditional 2 parent homes are present, Black and biracial girls are the main characters and supporting characters are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Daija says, "Maggie, girl, sometimes I think when you talk, a thirty-year-old woman is somewhere deep inside your soul giving instructions." This basically sums up my thoughts about all three characters in this book. The characters do not interact with one another like they are just twelve.

The story of three girls starting a braiding business who also deal with family and friendship woes is true to the tween audience's experience and expectations in literature. However, the characters feel a bit "trope-y', and the language can be strangely anachronistic at times. A lot of the slang is a blend of old 90s slang mixed with current words and phrases kids use, but all of it often felt a bit too much.

Daija and Maggie have been best friends ever since the day they met. Daija is the athletic one with the dreams of being a ballerina and Maggie is the brainy one who one day wants to be the CEO of her own company. They seem different, but braiding hair brings them closer together. When Daija needs to come up with the fees to pay for extra dance classes in order to be a part of a major dance event. Daija and Maggie decide that they will come up with the money by opening up a summer hair business. But, not everything is sunshine in this story. Daija’s father moves his new family closer and Maggie’s father invites the daughter he never knew he had, Callie, to live with them, permanently. Callie, who is still grieving the loss of her mother, wants to fit in. There is suddenly a third wheel threatening to disrupt the duo’s dynamic and to make matters worse, there’s a new hair braiding business that brings competition to the girl’s goals.

I liked the idea of the story; it is fresh and exciting. I Iiked that it tackled family drama & dynamics and also could encourage children to be an entrepreneur. However, I felt that there were times when I questioned the characters' ages due to the word choice and phrasing, they sound so adult for their age.