Like Vanessa - by Tami Charles (Hardcover)

"Like Vanessa is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale that follows the journey of 13-year-old Vanessa Martin as she navigates through poverty, substance abuse, and the search for her missing mother.

With the historic win of Vanessa Williams as the first black Miss America in 1983, Vanessa finds hope that one day girls like her - the blackest of black - could be seen as pretty too.

When her music teacher announces the school's first-ever beauty pageant, Vanessa hesitantly agrees to participate, facing many challenges along the way.

Through her journey, Vanessa learns the true meaning of self-confidence, friendship, and family.

This debut novel is a treasure, gifted to every middle school girl who ever felt unpretty, unloved, and trapped by their circumstances.

With its 80's "inner-city" setting and young black protagonist, guided to a better sense of self by a do-gooder white teacher, the story avoids clichés and imbues Vanessa with an inner life that's so real and personal it's hard to deny the charm, heartbreak, and triumph of her story.

Don't miss out on this inspiring tale of self-discovery and empowerment!"