To my absolute astonishment and delight, Seventeen Magazine listed The Prettiest as one of "35 Books Every Girl Should Read Before She's 17."

NBC News' "Know Your Value" named The Prettiest as one of "9 books to help young girls build a positive image." 

Ciarra Chavarria of @girlsreadthe world writes:

Recommended age: 8-12 years

Read this if … you want a smart, empowering read about three young girls fighting against sexual harassment.

In a nutshell: Eve never dreamed that she’d be number one on the list ranking the top 50 prettiest girls in 8th grade ― and she’s not so sure she likes the new and unwanted attention. Her best friend Nessa tries to be supportive, even though she knows that her size would keep her from even getting on such a list. And Sophie, well, Sophie knows she really should have been number one. But one thing all the girls agree on ― whoever wrote that list has to be taken down.

Why I love it: Though the book’s focus is on objectification and sexual harassment, it also expertly weaves in friendship, family, economic disparity, mental health and overall body image issues into a great read for young girls.

Favorite quote: “I contain multitudes, we all contain multitudes, we are a million things unfolding eternally and we’ll never even know our own full stories. You are not a number. You are not a body.”

“Flawed personalities (tween and adult alike) and important personal revelations lead to a compelling and topical narrative that leaves its characters—and readers—stronger and wiser.”

https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Prettiest-Brigit-Young/pid=9730757

I'll be at the Hudson Children's Book Festival on May 2nd! Check out their awesome group of authors this year, including recent Newbery winner Jerry Craft.

Kirkus Reviews calls The Prettiest "A sensitive story about sexual harassment and bullying with a feel-good ending." Full review here! 

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS was included on the Bank Street College of Education's "Best Children's Books of the Year" list for ages 12-14! 

https://www.bankstreet.edu/library/center-for-childrens-literature/childrens-book-committee/best-childrens-books-of-the-year/ 

https://s3.amazonaws.com/bankstreet-wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2019-12-to-14-list-for-the-web.pdf 

Worth a Thousand Words is a Fall 2018 Junior Library Guild selection! I am so honored and delighted. Thank you, JLG!

I'm honored to announce that the Italian edition of Worth a Thousand Words (titled Lost & Found) has won the Andersen Prize in Italy for a book for 12 & over. Thank you so much to Alessandro Peroni, who translated the book into Italian!

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The reason for giving the award to WATW was as follows:​

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For an original story, able to explore the dynamics of growth, but also to propose a reflection on privacy, sharing, and overcoming a sense of guilt; for the ability to tell with authenticity the relationship between adults and children when the relationship consists of silence and lack of communication; for an engaging novel, which does not follow a happy end at all costs, but maintains an honest and respectful narration for the reader.

"Birth" is now out in Snapdragon: A Journal of Art and Healing

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"One Night in Queens" appears in the most recent issue of The Ocotillo Review

The Prettiest is in great company!

https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200049033_chipublib_kids/1772060709

"A novel that addresses issues of bullying, sexism, objectification, and harassment while equally centering empowerment, the bonds of friendship, and self-acceptance. Highly recommended to inspire discussion among thoughtful young readers."―School Library Journal, starred review

Read more here.

As a survivor of middle school and parent of future middle schoolers, I am so glad The Prettiest will be in the world for both my daughter and my son. I loved these girls―their rivalries and their friendships, their lies and their painful honesty, their survival strategies and humor, and their refusals to be what anyone else expects them to be. This book is a hug and a high-five.” ―Kate Milford, New York Times–bestselling author of Greenglass House

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“I loved this true and tender story about young girls finding their voices and finding friendship with each other, no matter what barriers school and society tries to put up to block their way. Brigit Young has created a book with so much heart and with well-crafted characters that feel so real and relevant. This is an important book that isn't afraid of tackling tough problems. I absolutely loved it!” ―Jennifer Mathieu, author of Moxie

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“A remarkable, important gem of a novel. Both a call to arms and a fantastically fun tale, this triumphant, timely and true-to-life story should be required reading for middle schoolers of any gender.” ―Dan Gemeinhart, author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

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“I loved following this trio of strong, supportive girls as they navigated the halls of middle school and fought against unwanted attention, objectification, and bullying. Readers will recognize themselves in these characters and cheer for them as they stand up to define for themselves who they are and where they belong. The Prettiest is heartbreaking, inspiring, and funny at the same time―like middle school itself. Add this one to your reading list!” ―Lynne Kelly, author of Chained and Song For a Whale

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“I cheered for these three 8th grade girls as they learned that nobody is just one thing. Standing up for yourself and others can be hard, but with friends at your side, it can be done. An empowering read!” ―Debbie Michiko Florence, author of Keep It Together, Keiko Carter

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“In the characters of Sophie, Eve and Nessa, Young has indeed created girls who 'contain multitudes.' Courageous and clever, flawed yet fierce, these girls are far more than examples of young feminists―they are examples of what it means to be human. This story is certainly timely and relevant, but equally important, it is an honest, engaging and heartfelt look at how the communities we choose to build can―and do―shape us.” ―Lindsay Lackey, author of All the Impossible Things

Thank you to Publisher's Weekly for the lovely review! 

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They write, "...Young handles both [Tillie's] injury and its aftermath with realism and sensitivity. The mystery of Jake's dad will keep readers turning pages in this touching debut coming-of-age novel."

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Read PW's piece here.

I'm thrilled and honored that a review of Worth a Thousand Words will be available in the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of The Horn Book.

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For now, here's a pull quote!: 

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“A suspenseful mystery/detective story [that] deepens into a nuanced coming-of-age story . . . [An] affecting debut novel.” 

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Thank you, Horn Book!

.WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS comes out today under the title LOST & FOUND!

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It's on Amazon here and Goodreads here.

"Lost & Found is the perfect book to start the new year full of hope and positivity. Tillie is a breath of fresh air: sweet, delicate and intense." - Regin La Radiosa 

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"With her simple and straightforward writing, Brigit Young puts out a story that comes to the heart... and goes straight to being one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read. Even if it is meant for young people, I think it is really suitable for every age, and it is able to deeply mark every person who reads it, in some way." - Bookspedia

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"A great novel based on the importance of looking, looking at each other, looking at each other and knowing how to see." - Biblioragazzi's Readings

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"Lost & Found is not a simple book to describe. It requires attention and care. It is one of those books that gives a lot and leaves a lot and that at any moment can turn your smiles into tears and vice versa." - La Stamberga D'Inchiostro