A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause - ADVISABLE

A Dress for the Wicked by Autumn Krause, 400 pages.  HarperTeen, AUGUST 2019.  $18. 

Content: G (mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Emmaline Watkins may work in her mother’s bar, but she has always dreamed of designing fashion. When Madame Jolene , the director of the capitol’s only couture creator – The Fashion House.  Only 1 or 2 girls are taken as apprentices each year.  If she can survive the Fashion House Interview – a competition with only 6 contestants, she can fulfill her dream. But no one really wants to give Emmaline a chance, not only is she kept to busy to give her heart to the contests, but someone is actively sabotaging her. Maybe there is a different way for her to follow her heart.

Students will be drawn to the cover and anyone who loves Project Runway will be sucked in.  Its hard to take how much the deck is stacked against Emmaline, but her fashion game is on point and a delight to read about. If your school has the Luxe series, or any of the many YA books with gorgeous dresses, it would make for a great display.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS