Sparkle follows a 12-year-old named Sparkle as she tries to gain sponsorships for her social media pages while attending an arts school and preparing for that year's school play. After losing some of her hair, she discovers she has a condition called alopecia universalis, and it's causing her to lose all her hair.

I like the themes of self-love and adaptation to change presented throughout this story. It doesn't present it as an easy change, for Sparkle or those around her, and shows both her good days and bad. It doesn't shy away from poor self esteem, but it also doesn't try to ignore what is affecting Sparkle's every-day life.

Sparkle's mother is not the best person in my opinion, and I would have liked to see more of a character arc and growth out of her, or at least intentionally showing her flaws as a parent. At times, it seems like she is living vicariously through her children, and her obsession with Sparkle and her sister having beautiful hair definitely contributed to Sparkle's lack of confidence after her diagnosis.

I did, however, enjoy the friendship arcs presented throughout the story. It shows friends coming together in the face of difficulty, the importance of clear and open communication, that people can change over time, and that new friends can always be found no matter the circumstance.

I am excited to start reading some of Wilson's other books! ( )