Book Review: Lucy Doesn’t Wear Pink by Nancy Rue

What????!!! Lucy has opted out of pink altogether??? Say it isn’t so! Actually it’s true and a much needed breath of fresh air as 11-year-old Lucy Rooney, the main character in the FaithGirlz! Tween Series Lucy Doesn’t Wear Pink, swears off all things girly…or at least most of them.

Author Nancy Rue does a delightful job of bringing this series to life for girls ages 9-12. This faith-based book is immediately relatable to tween girls as they face obstacles in their own lives they must overcome. Lucy – a timeless tomboy – is a strong-willed, vibrant and very inquisitive girl who searches for the “why” and “how” in everything she encounters. At times, she is able to find the answers she seeks, but occasionally, she is unable to make sense of the challenges she faces. With the support of her blind father, family, friends, and God, Lucy is able to find her way.

What I really like about his book: My readers know that when I recommend a book on Parenting Pink it’s always something that I have read and reviewed thoroughly. Though I am personally not overly religious, I found this book very comforting and I think the lessons in it serve preteen girls well in this day and age. The Faithgirlz! series and Lucy Doesn’t Wear Pink do a great job of helping young girls face difficult “everyday” situations in their own lives and approach them with a new outlook. In addition, I like the way Lucy has many different generations of female influences in her life such as her bossy Aunt Karen, housekeeper Inez, and her girly-girl granddaughter who loves the one color Lucy despises – PINK. Yet through their differences, these strong, loving women find a way to not only make their relationships work – but flourish. A lesson we all could use in our own lives.

As a psychotherapist and mother, I also appreciate the way Rue has focused on the “tomboy” aspect of Lucy. I was also at tomboy growing up in the 80’s and I think that girls should be allowed to wear any color they chose – not just pink, prissy, and frilly frocks. This is true both physically and emotionally. Lucy provides young girls with a great role model because she is smart, savvy, and confident. Isn’t that something that all of us seek to teach our daughters?

Rue also mentions the likes of Hannah Montana and – more importantly - David Beckham (see p. 75 ladies). Yes, I had to say it. Clearly this is an author who is up on the latest teen crushes, pop culture superstars, sports legends, and – um – mom crushes.

You can purchase Nancy Rue’s book, Lucy Doesn’t Wear Pink, in our Parenting Pink Bookstore. And be sure to check out other great titles by Rue at Zonderkidz, including Dear Nancy

Happy Reading!

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