Only Black Girls in Town

I don't always like reading middle grade novels as an adult reader, because sometimes they are just too simplistic to be satisfying–again, to me as an adult reader. These books are intended for younger readers and often those readers do need and want a simpler story with an easier resolution. But for me, when middle grade novels are at their best they can speak to the messiness of coming of age and figuring yourself out, and that's what Brandy Colbert is doing here. PLUS ALSO a mystery that is both something that could plausibly be solved by middle schoolers without being either totally dumb or totally solved by unrealistic plot device of some sort.

Highly recommended for tweens AND adults!!