Grown

Seventeen-year-old Enchanted Jones dreams of becoming a professional singer while balancing school, swimming, and helping care for her younger siblings. When she meets R&B superstar Korey Fields at an audition, he takes an interest in her career and promises to make her a star. As Enchanted gets pulled deeper into Korey's world of music industry glamour and private recording sessions, she finds herself isolated from her family and friends. The relationship between mentor and protégée becomes increasingly complex and controlling, forcing Enchanted to question everything she thought she knew about trust and power. The story opens with Enchanted covered in blood next to Korey's dead body, then moves between past and present timelines to reveal how she arrived at this moment. Jackson crafts a suspenseful narrative that examines the exploitation of young Black girls in the entertainment industry. This YA thriller confronts themes of abuse, manipulation, and the ways predators groom their victims by exploiting their dreams and vulnerabilities. Through Enchanted's story, the novel explores how society often fails to protect and believe young women, particularly women of color.

Readers consistently point to the book's realistic portrayal of grooming and predatory behavior in the music industry. Many note its effectiveness as a conversation starter about exploitation and consent. The raw emotional impact and pacing keep readers engaged through difficult subject matter. Readers appreciated: - Authentic teen voice and dialogue - Clear warnings about predatory tactics - Strong character development - Important message for young readers Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in middle sections - Some plot points strain credibility - Heavy/triggering content for younger YA readers - Characters make frustrating decisions Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (200+ ratings) "Hard to read but necessary," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another states, "Should be required reading for teens in the social media age." Multiple readers cite difficulty getting through intense scenes but felt the message was worth the discomfort.

Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson A teenager investigates her best friend's disappearance while confronting community indifference and systemic failures that echo themes of exploitation and justice.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo A teen mother balances her culinary aspirations with family responsibilities and personal growth in a story of finding one's path despite obstacles.

SLAY by Brittney Morris A Black teenage game developer confronts real-world racism and identity issues when her secret virtual world becomes the center of controversy.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone A high school student writes letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while navigating racial profiling and systemic racism in his community.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas A young rapper faces challenges in pursuing her dreams while dealing with family struggles and music industry exploitation.

🎵 Before writing Grown, Tiffany D. Jackson spent over a decade in the television industry, including working as a TV producer for shows on networks like Nickelodeon and TVOne. 📚 The story was partly inspired by the real-life R. Kelly abuse cases and Jackson's desire to explore how predators groom young victims in the music industry. 🏆 Grown earned five starred reviews from major publishing industry publications and was named one of the Best Books of 2020 by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. 💔 Jackson conducted extensive research and interviews with survivors of sexual abuse to ensure authentic representation of trauma and its lasting effects. 🎤 The main character Enchanted's journey into the music industry draws from Jackson's own experiences as a former teen rapper who performed under the name T-Dot.