Body Image. It’s a tough but necessary topic to talk about. Young people, especially those in middle school, begin to make comparisons of their own developing bodies with classmates, social media posts, along with famous people in movies and television. THE BLUE DRESS is an engaging and heartbreaking look at how it effects one girl and her family.

Thirteen-year-old Yasmin, amidst many pressures, feels like her body isn’t hers. Puberty has caused changes, along with the pressures of moving from Iran a year-and-a half ago to Ashbury Falls, Virginia so her dad could take an important job with Boeing. The worst though has been her mother, who is always reminding Yasmin she needs to lose weight. Weekly weigh-ins are the worst as pounds gained or lost are noted over and over again. Her mother even sews Yasmin a blue dress to wear for Persian New Year, even though she purposely made it way to small for Yasmin.

Yasmin does have best friend Carmen (Whose family immigrated from Mexico), but she is petite, a constant reminder of how different their bodies are to each other. Yasmin decides it is time to take drastic measures to lose weight and improve the look of her body. This only creates more problems both for her health and relationship with family and classmates.

Yasmin’s first person narration through 21 chapters is a realistic portrayal of the emotions brought about by the constant reminders that being thin is the answer. You’ll be rooting for Yasmin the entire way to mend the relationship with her mother and learn a different approach to body acceptance. No one should have to endure what Yasmin goes through in her young life to look perfect. THE BLUE DRESS tackles this topic in such a great way. Highly recommended to read and use as a discussion at home or in the classroom.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: March 24, 2026 PAGES: 272

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE BLUE DRESS by Rebecca Morrison

1. Yasmin also faces hurtful criticism and jokes from classmates about being Persian and that maybe her dad is a terrorist. With Iran taking center stage in recent news you forget that their are many in Iran who only wish to have a peaceful place to raise their families, rather than feeling the effects of a political war.
2. The story will resonate not only for tween and teen girls but also adults who are still struggling with body image and self worth.
3. Finding a support system away from family is a valuable and beautifully explored option in dealing with any tough problem a young person is going through. Getting another’s outlook, in Yasmin’s case a favorite teacher and a counselor, is a helpful and honest direction to take.
4. The character arcs for Mom, Yasmin, little brother Ali, and mean classmate Zoe are a memorable part of making this story so good.
5. The realistic themes are portrayed in an honest and non-scary way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rebecca Morrison is a lawyer and writer. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, TODAY, NBC News, Salon, HuffPost and Newsweek, among others. She was born in Iran, and now lives in the Washington DC area with her husband and two kids. The Blue Dress is her debut novel. (Rebecca’s Author Website)

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