A review by zoeelizabethk
The Braid Girls by Sherri Winston

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Maggie and Daija have plans to earn money over the summer by braiding hair at summer camp. But then Maggie's half-sister, Callie arrives and the three girls struggle to figure out how to go into business together and how to handle sudden new business rivals across the street. The Braid Girls is a great middle grade novel about the value of communication and honesty and the need to understand that everyone has their own priorities and struggles, but that friends and family always make it easier.

I enjoyed The Braid Girls, and would definitely recommend it for middle grade readers who want a book about friendship, step-families, or trying to earn some summer savings. It was a lot of fun too. It had enough to interest me as an adult, though it is a very short and contained story.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Erin Ruth Walker; Tyla Collier; Jade Wheeler. I"m not sure if it was a writing issue or a narration issue, but several times during conversations between the girls, I found myself struggling to keep track of who was talking. Other than that, the audio was great.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for an audioARC in exchange for an honest review.