Why We All Want to Be ‘Like Vanessa’

It only took 50 years for a Black woman to be crowned as Miss America. Like Vanessa, a new middle-grade fiction novel by Tami Charles, tells the very relatable tale of a girl who desperately wants to be just like her role model.

You will find heartbreak and inspiration in the resilient story of thirteen-year-old Vanessa Martin who dares to dream just like Vanessa Williams, crowned the first black Miss America in 1983.

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book from Charlesbridge to facilitate this review.  As always, all opinions are my own.

The story of a girl who finds a role model and it changes her life forever. #likevanessa #kidlitwomen @charlesbridge @tamiwritesstuff Share on X

Like Vanessa Book Review

In this semi-autobiographical debut novel, main character Vanessa Martin’s reality is heartbreaking. She lives with her family in public housing in Newark, New Jersey. Far away, but not too far to cast its magic spell, is the glamorous Miss America stage.

Meanwhile, as Vanessa struggles to remember her mother, she is the sole caretaker for her grandfather dealing with addiction and her own battle with self-confidence.

In the midst of her struggle, Vanessa meets a new teacher at school. This teacher takes Vanessa under her wing and convinces her to enter the beauty pageant she coordinates for the student. Her worldview would be forever changed. At first, Vanessa’s expectations are low, since she has been told her whole life she’s “dark black” and “beautifully plump.”

The beauty standards of the 80’s are still relevant themes today. It is also a timely book that tackles the struggle as well as the experiences of being gay as a Black youth in the early ’80s through Vanessa’s cousin T.J.

As you read, you will find Vanessa to be endearing, funny, fierce, and talented. Vanessa discovers that her own self-worth is more than any talent or perfect interview score. Furthermore, the message of where a person’s “true beauty” lies is crystal clear.

Stamp of Approval from Vanessa Williams

♦”It’s such an honor to be the focal point of this wonderful book! Without a doubt, it will be inspiring to a new generation of young, talented girls well on their way to promising careers.”   –Vanessa Williams, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Fashion Designer and star of Television, Film and the Broadway Stage

Like Vanessa Reviews

♦ “This debut is a treasure: a gift to every middle school girl who ever felt unpretty, unloved, and trapped by her circumstances.”— Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW

♦ “Charles evades the 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. . . . Superb.”— Booklist STARRED REVIEW

♦ “Like Vanessa is an emotionally potent, engaging young adult story with a heroine whom it is impossible not to root for. The life lessons that Nessy learns are relevant and worthwhile for everyone.”— Foreword Reviews STARRED REVIEW

Girls See Themselves in ‘Like Vanessa’

About the Author and Illustrator

Tami Charles

Tami Charles is a former teacher and full-time author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. As a teacher, she made it her mission to introduce her students to all types of literature, but especially diverse books.

While it was refreshing to see a better selection than what she was accustomed to as a child, Tami felt there weren’t nearly as many diverse books as she’d hoped for. It was then that she decided to reignite her passion for writing. Tami is the author of the middle-grade novel Like Vanessa (2018) and the picture book Freedom Soup (Candlewick Press, 2019).

Connect with Tami Charles on Instagram | Twitter | Website

Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Vanessa celebrates self-love and acceptance of all cultures through her work, and hopes to inspire young readers to find their own voices. She first learned to express herself as a little girl through song.

Growing up in a musical family, Vanessa’s parents taught her how to sing to help overcome her stuttering.

Each night the family would gather to make music together, with her mom on piano, her dad on guitar, and Vanessa and her sister, Coy, singing the blues, gospel, spirituals, and jazz. Now whenever she illustrates, music fills the air and finds its way into her art.

The children she draws are dancing, wiggling, and moving freely across the page in an expression of happiness. Music is a constant celebration, no matter the occasion, and Vanessa hopes her illustrations bring joy to others, with the same magic of a beautiful melody.