Ready to Wear

April 22, 2013
An aspiring fashion designer is the affable heroine of this first book in the Sew Zoey series. When Zoey Webber’s middle school drops its uniform requirement, she tells her two best friends, “After all these years of all dressing alike, we can finally be ourselves.” That takes more courage than Zoey anticipates: after her friends encourage her to start a fashion blog to showcase her designs, Zoey wears an outfit of her own creation on the first day of school, including a skirt with inside-out seams, a necktie belt, and high-tops with neon laces. Mocked by the class mean girls as well as a teacher, Zoey realizes that “standing out from crowd was kind of scary.” But with the support of her friends, a few adult allies, and the memories of her own late mother, Zoey’s sewing skills and confidence blossom. In a smoothly written story of overcoming challenges with ingenuity and style, Taylor shows a knack for characterization and dialogue, and her detailed descriptions of Zoey’s designs will entice young fashionistas. On Pins and Needles pubs simultaneously. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8–12.

April 15, 2013
Most novels about fashion end up being more about little divas than about the clothing; this is an exception. This story celebrates the rewards of personal creativity and risks of self-expression. Zoey, an eighth-grader who loves to design new outfits, decides to start a fashion blog the summer before her middle school abolishes the rule requiring school uniforms. The stress of creating an outfit for the first day of school is alleviated by using her deceased mother's sewing machine. Like the way she pieces together an outfit, Zoey assembles a valuable group of friends to support this endeavor. Some people, like her trusted best friends, Kate and Priti, know her inside and out. New friends, like Libby, provide a bit of embellishment. Others, like Jan from the notions store, and the new principal, Esther Austen, bring to the table the structure, wisdom and encouragement Zoey needs. The storyline follows a mildly dramatic arc, as Zoey is asked to design a prom dress for a fundraiser. When the unthinkable happens, Zoey must figure out a solution--quick! Can she do it? This book will appeal to a middle-grade crowd that isn't into vampires and dystopias, as well as to those who create art with their hands. (Fiction. 8-12)

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October 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-When her middle school announces that it is getting rid of uniforms, future fashion designer Zoey can't wait to show off her own style. While shopping with her friends, she discovers that the clothes in the stores just don't have that Zoey factor. With a little inspiration from her aunt and her friends, she decides to try creating her own wardrobe and blogging about it on "Sew Zoey." When her principal finds out, she gives Zoey the chance of a lifetime to be the only student designer in the school's charity fashion show. Her dress, however, gets ruined just days before the event and she has a huge social studies paper due the same day with no chance of extensions. Can Zoey pull off the opportunity of a lifetime or will she have to pull out of the show? Although the book is moderately paced, the characters are enjoyable and well developed, and the plot is humorous and entertaining. The black-and-white drawings that open each chapter add a bit of fashion flair. With a touching ending that will leave readers with a warm, fuzzy feeling, this novel will appeal to young fashionistas.-Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2013
When the new middle-school principal banishes school uniforms, burgeoning fashion designer Zoey is thrilled. Her fashion blog gains a dedicated following, and the principal even asks Zoey to design a dress for the school auction. The emphasis on creativity, community, and support, combined with Zoey's positive attitude, make this fashion series' opener an inspirational read. Black-and-white garment sketches start each chapter.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)