Honest June /

Eleven-year-old June takes pride in her ability to make her friends, her teachers, and her parents happy, even when it means telling half-truths or outright lies. But now that she's in middle school, the pressure to wear the childish clothes her mother picks out, excel at the extracurricular activities her father chooses for her, and follow in his footsteps through Howard University and law school becomes intolerable. Fortunately, her unconventional fairy godmother steps in, casting a spell that makes it impossible for June to lie. Despite her clever attempts to subvert the spell, its power becomes apparent when it lands her in trouble with those she loves most, although it offers a better path going forward. June's engaging first-person narrative immediately draws readers into her tale of good intentions, poor choices, and realigned priorities. As the only child in an upper-middle-class, Black family, she bears the burden of her parents' high expectations, but she gradually realizes that they will support her individuality. Lively gray-scale drawings illustrate the drama and humor in this appealing chapter book.

To keep others happy, 11-year-old June Jackson, who is Black, tells mistruths about everything from liking collard greens to wanting to go to Howard University. Though she feels pressure to live up to her parents' professional success, June believes that sixth grade ("Prime time. The big leagues") in her Atlanta suburb will be smooth sailing if she keeps quiet about the stress of getting perfect grades; doing field hockey, debate, and newspaper; and somehow making time for friends. When June enters a carnival fun house two weeks into the school year, a fairy godmother calls her out on her lying and grants her a superpower: the power to only tell the truth. Scared of her new inability to lie, June starts a blog, Honest June, where she can place her "private truths," planning to otherwise remain silent. But as building pressures cause further anxiety, June is forced to consider who she is and what she really wants. Wells (the Mackenzie Blue series) and Smith offer a clear message about the dangers of repressing one's needs and wants to appease others. Occasional b&w cartoon-style art by newcomer Bond centers character interaction. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8--12. Illustrator's agent: Kate Kendrick, Astound US. (Dec.)

Gr 4--7--Honesty is not always the best policy. Especially for 11-year-old Black girl June Jackson, who believes telling seemingly innocent lies to her family and friends is the only way to make everyone happy. When her dad pressures her to join the field hockey team, she does, even though she much prefers writing for the school paper. When her mom chooses embarrassingly childish outfits for her to wear, she inconspicuously changes into something more mature. As if middle school and her parents' high expectations weren't challenging enough, June's life is turned upside down when a fairy godmother appears and puts a spell on her that forces June to say what she is truly feeling at all times. June has always been afraid that the truth will hurt everyone around her. Now, equipped with a fairy godmother on her shoulder and an honesty blog in her pocket, June must take her newfound "gift" and discover that, even though it's difficult, telling the truth is always the best choice. In this cleverly updated fairy tale, Wells has crafted a relatable, likable protagonist, despite June's overt lack of honesty. Readers will empathize with June; her relationship with her parents and the constant pressure she is under will keep fans rooting for her to finally speak her truth. This is a fun read that reminds young people that being honest is always best. VERDICT Recommended for reluctant upper elementary and middle school readers seeking lighthearted realistic fiction with a touch of magic.--Amanda Harding, Elmwood Elem. Sch., Wauconda, IL

Eleven-year-old June Jackson is used to keeping the peace and making everyone around her happy, even if that means telling white lies every now and then. Why make waves when you can just tell your friends how much you like their shoes, eat foods you don't enjoy, and assure your father that you'd love to attend his college alma mater? Now in her first year of middle school, June has every intention of continuing that behavior -- until she comes face to face with her very own fairy godmother. Her godmother -- a rather uncoordinated fairy named Victoria -- gifts June with a "superpower": to tell the truth, no matter what. Horrified at the prospect, June does her best to avoid all conversation and begins a blog as an outlet to confess her thoughts without hurting anyone's feelings. As the pressures of middle school spill over, June is finally forced to share some uncomfortable truths with her friends and family; and while it causes just as much havoc as June had anticipated, it also results in unexpected surprises. June's stream-of-consciousness thoughts about how her parents will react to her honesty are melodramatic to the point of humor, and perfectly relatable to perfectionists/people-pleasers. Those who identify with the themes of self-acceptance in Varian Johnson's Twins (rev. 11/20) will connect with June's plight. Eboni Njoku November/December 2021 p.121(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

An 11-year-old people-pleaser gets a lesson in the importance of being honest and staying true to yourself. June Jackson is excited about the freedom that sixth grade will bring: Sure, she'll still have to play field hockey to make her dad happy and wear outfits she hates just to keep the peace with her mom, but at least she can use whatever gel pens she wants. June doesn't mind telling little lies and suppressing her own desires so long as this keeps her looking like the perfect, put-together child in front of her parents and friends. The night of the annual school carnival, June is lured into a fun house where she meets Victoria, her fairy godmother, who enchants her with a spell that forces her to only tell the truth. June quickly tries to scheme her way out of what feels like a curse, but half-truths and omissions don't do the trick. Channeling her frustrations through her private blog eventually helps June realize that using her voice could help relieve some of the overwhelming pressure she feels to excel. This optimistic first-person narrative may resonate with readers who struggle with perfectionism and asserting themselves. The brisk pace helps the aimless plot move along, but the story feels cut short by the abrupt ending. Charming illustrations throughout bring the predominantly Black cast to life. A novel with a valuable message about being true to yourself. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.