17-year-old Enchanted has always dreamed of being a singing star. So when a successful singer offers her the chance to go on tour with him she is thrilled. Even if she has to leave all her friends and family behind, it will be worth it, right?

Reviewed by Aleks M.

Rating: 4/5

“Grown” by Tiffany D. Jackson is a very intense, powerful, and deeply thought provoking book, one with which I experienced real anger whilst reading. For Jackson to elicit such strong emotions from the reader makes her book “Grown” super successful. As horrendous and disturbing the topics are, Jackson did a good job of portraying the horror young black girl’s face in the confines of a YA book.

The premise of the book is super deep and triggering because it is inspired by R. Kelly’s case. The author dove into the issues with real success in portraying the true extent men’s behaviors get exempt whilst women’s are reprimanded. The author did a good job of explaining and answering questions people often ask like “why didn’t she go when he started abusing her? Why didn’t she ask for help? Why didn’t she say anything?”

I wish that Jackson focused exclusively on the abuse of power exuded by older men onto younger girls, and the trouble with nobody ever believing black women, instead of incorporating unnecessary plots and character arcs because it drew attention away from the main issues. For example, one thing that really bothered me about this book was Gabs whole character and the possibility of her being a figment of Enchanted’s imagination. I felt like that diminished Jackson's work and made Enchanted a less liable narrator.

Having said all that I thoroughly enjoyed how impactful this book was, and the much-needed discussions it elicits.

This is kind of like an r kelly situation, all though it has nothing to do with him a teenage girl falls in love with a dream that was sold by a man. I absolutely love this book, you are going to enjoy it.

An unflinching look at abusive relationships. Powerful.

A novelization of an R. Kelly-type situation. As the author points out in her author's note, though, this isn't about R. Kelly...it's about the systems that support his behavior and the importance of listening to Black girls.

Enchanted Jones is a typical high school student. She's on the swim team and she helps her hardworking parents take care of her younger siblings. She is passionate about singing and writing songs, so she takes the chance to audition for a televised singing competition. At the audition, she meets Korey Fields, an R&B superstar. She is flattered by the attention of the older man, and she is thrilled to take the opportunity to make her dreams come true in the music industry. The dream turns into a nightmare, as the story goes back and forth through time from Enchanted and Korey meeting to Enchanted accused of murdering Korey. The book touches on some very difficult topics, from abuse, assault and rape, while exploring rape culture that excuses the abusive behavior of powerful men and the denial of Black girls' voices and their stories. - Mia H., Hopkins Library

What happens when you grow up too fast, or if you never grow up at all? A series of rapid-fire changes overtake teen singer Enchanted when R&B legend Korey Fields spots her at an audition. She’s starstruck when he begins texting her, beginning a mentorship that Enchanted hopes will jumpstart her music career. Her doting parents even agree to let her go on tour with him—a dream come true! But suddenly Enchanted’s in over her head, with no way out. And now that Korey’s been murdered, all eyes are on her. Inspired by the many cases of R. Kelly, Jackson’s latest shouts this message above all—believe Black women.