I think this is a good book for young teens. It tells how Marigold deals with her life and drama. This is a good book for inspiration and entertainment. ( )

Oh Mari we so would have been BFFs. I loved everything about this book from the fabulous Barbara Dee. This book showed me that I made the perfect decision in adding more Middle Grade to my reading schedule. Trauma Queen was everything I knew it would be, smart, funny and completely a blast to read.

Marigold is completely mortified by her mother’s job as a performance artist. It was easy to sink into Mari’s mind and her precarious situation. She has to survive a new school without her bestie and even though her mom promised no more antics she completely reneges on her promise and starts a drama club just as Mari was starting to feel good about fitting in.

Grandma is amazing and little sister with her Prairie speak fascination is just completely adorbs.

I love Dee’s easy writing style and her conclusion to this novel. I wouldn’t change a thing! ( )

With an easy flowing writing style, this book falls into the "quick read" category perfect for a weekend reminder of what being a family truly means. I saw a lot of my own mother in Ms. Bailey, ironically enough...especially in the opening scenes with Marigold's wardrobe malfunction (her mother thought it was Spirit Week making it Pajama Day and whoops....it wasn't...). Her mother rushes to her rescue, just not quite the way Mari would have liked. You can see that her mother sincerely loves her but in all the embarrassment of the moment her eyes are blinded to her efforts. I think that happens a lot as we are growing up to each and every one of us. We love our parents but we never truly appreciate them for all that they do until time passes and we can see those old situations in a new light. Grant it, they never truly shed their embarrassing undertones, but they do help us gain a new insight into the love shared within a family.

Aside from the mother daughter aspect of the story that takes most of the center stage, there was much more to be pondered. On the fun side, I loved the theater aspects woven into the story. You really got a feel of what life as a performance artist would be like...as well as learned a few fascinating techinques to try on your own time. On a more serious note, I really appreciated the way that her friend Emma was portrayed. Her feelings were really hurt by what happened and the fading away for a time was realistic to what might have occurred in real life should the same situation be encountered. Often times things of this nature are glossed over for the stories sake but here it was used as a lesson to be learned from and built upon. Also, the family structure wasn't all good nor all bad. There was a real history of that initial spark and its being extinguished over time as well as fireworks (not always the good kind) upon future meetings. Again, it reflected real life and makes it that much more accessible to readers as it showed love in its many forms.

In the end, it was a heart felt story about growing up and seeing your family for all its worth not just what you want it to be. Acceptance of all our supposed flaws for better or worse, and understanding that our parents more often than not are simply doing the best that they can. It's not like we were born with an instruction manual you know, though I'm certain they'd love it if we were. Some are better prepared than others, but it doesn't mean that the "free spirit" can't be the parent of your dreams. Love goes a long way in healing those unintentional wounds caused by merely trying to get things right...as does a little understanding.

Recommended read for young readers through adults. It touches on issues of growing up and family from a realistic point of view without an inclusion of controversial topics or language. Happy reading.... ( )

What’s worse than being named after a flower and having a little sister named after a dead president? Yep, having a free-spirit, performance artist mother who doesn’t understand you. And that’s just what thirteen-year-old Marigold Bailey has. This is her third school in four years because whenever her mom, Becca, gets disgusted, they move.

So, it’s February 23, Mari’s first day at Samuel J. Crampton Middle School, and she’s standing outside her homeroom wearing yellow flannel monkey pajamas. Why, you might ask? Because Becca thought the newspaper she used to line Beezer, the dog’s cage, said it was Pajama Day. Well, it’s not. So, Mari’s being called Banana by classmate Brody, being pitied by head clique girl Jada and what does Becca suggest? Exchange clothes. There is no thirteen-year-old girl who is going to wear her mother’s sweats. It’s just not going to happen. The alternative, go to the nurse’s office and pick out some clothes from the ‘just in case’ pile. Unfortunately, that alternative isn’t any better; seventies pants and a pink polka dot top which makes Mari look like she has the chicken pox. Day One at Crampton Middle School was not a rousing success.

A few more things to note as you read Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee.
1. Becca has performed a few odd pieces, such as wrapping herself in Saran Wrap for a piece called Plastic Surgery or “…sitting onstage with a huge gooey chocolate cake, which she either eats or doesn’t eat, depending on her mood.”
2. Mari left her best friend, Emma, behind when she moved. Becca did an improve performance about Emma’s mother, Trisha, who is up-tight, domineering and opinionated. Trisha was insulted and, in return, started bad-mouthing Becca. It turned into an ugly scene, prompting Becca to pack up. Trisha won’t let Emma speak to Mari. Embarrassing, to say the least.
3. And, now, to make life worse, Becca is starting an after-school improve club at Mari’s school and all her friends are going to join.

What else can go wrong? That you have to find out for yourself by reading Trauma Queen, but be assured something else will. Barbara Dee’s characters are endearing, especially Mari’s Gram, the voice of reason, and even Becca herself, at times. The predicaments that Mari finds herself in are funny. Mari has an interesting outlook on life and it seems that embarrassment follows her wherever her mother goes. After chuckling through the book, you’ll be glad that Becca isn’t your mother…or will you? For a fun look at seventh grade, Trauma Queen is my recommendation. ( )

Reviewed by Monica Sheffo for TeensReadToo.com

Attending three schools in four years isn't easy, so try adding a performance artist mother into the mix. For Marigold, this nightmare is her reality as she begins 7th grade at Samuel J. Crompton Middle School.

Her new school seems to be filled with one disaster after another, like wearing pj's to school on the very first day. Things go from bad to worse when her mother decides to teach an improv class at her school.

Can Marigold and her friendships survive her mother? Find out in TRAUMA QUEEN!

Barbara Dee presents readers with a fun and fluffy novel that proves how true the statement "you can't pick your family" is. Using likeable characters and mortifying, embarrassing circumstances, this novel will resonate with middle school girls and their mothers alike. ( )