If It Makes You Happy

May 15, 2019
Grades 9-12 Winnie is a big, fiery Black girl who loves herself, her family, and her granny's diner in the little town of Misty Haven. For her last summer before college, Winnie goes to work at the diner, and everything in her life seems perfect?until she unexpectedly becomes Misty Haven's Summer Queen. Then, her secret crush, Dallas, nominates himself to be Summer King, much to the dismay of Winnie's queerplatonic ungirlfriend, Kara. As Winnie wrestles with what she wants out of love?and life?she must overcome her fears and challenge others to view her with the same body positivity with which she views herself. Kann's (Let's Talk about Love, 2018) beautiful sophomore novel is a model for intersectional inclusion done right, exploring and questioning the social labels we place on ourselves and others. With visibility and love given to the asexual community, this character-driven story of a queer, fat Black girl will help fill an unfortunate hole in our bookshelves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

July 10, 2020

Gr 9 Up-Winnie Woodson has her dream summer in Misty Haven already planned. She'll waitress at her grandmother's restaurant, hang out with her "ungirlfriend" Kara, and watch over her little brother Winston, a budding chef. Winning Misty Haven's Summer Queen contest and having her confusing crush, Dallas, as the town's Summer King is not a situation Winniw was expecting. Surprisingly, she finds that she and the Summer King have a magnetic attraction she wants to explore. VERDICT This novel takes on the topic of love with an honesty that is refreshing.-Desiree Thomas, Worthington Lib., OH

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.