Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim

Gr 9 Up–Vernon, a plus-size model, blogger, and activist who focuses on intersectionality and self-acceptance, documents the struggles and triumphs she faced as she grew into loving herself. With her sharp, staccato writing style and no-holds-barred attitude, Vernon chronicles the ways she’s been made to feel unacceptable and then rips those standards to shreds with intelligent humor and positivity. She guides readers through her love/hate relationship with her religion and her body; and while her insistence on her own self-worth and individuality throughout the narrative is inspiring, she doesn’t rely on platitudes or easy answers. It’s clear that Vernon’s secret to success is fighting hard and working harder. The book’s overall tone is uplifting and ends on a high note. The true joy Vernon finds in fashion, styling, and modeling is made clear in the final chapters, and readers will head straight to her Instagram if they aren’t established fans. Tough topics like mental illness, domestic violence, and abortion are covered unflinchingly, with a frankness that will appeal to older teens. Mature themes and language might make this a hard sell for parents but will only add to the appeal for high schoolers.