Julie Sternberg

I've been reading quite a few of the journal-type kids' books lately; it's definitely the juvenile style du jour. The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine sets itself apart from the pack by being one of the most authentic feeling books in the genre. Celie Valentine's voice and personality are well-developed and, most importantly, come across as truly belonging to a ten-year-old. This can result in the story seeming a bit simplistic for grown-ups, but it should feel genuine to the intended audience of ten-year-olds (especially girls). Likewise, the "handwriting" and illustrations also feel authentic to Celie's age, while still being legible and visually appealing.

I also appreciated all the little touches: the "handwritten" text perfectly aligned on lined pages, the narwhal printed "tape" that Celie uses to secure thing into her journal, and the "bye"s and "good night"s that Celie uses to close out her journal entries. (I remember doing the same thing at that age, writing my journal like it was a letter to someone, but it's not the thing most adults think to do, even when they're trying to replicate the feel of a kid's journal.)

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley.… (more)

I am all for works of fantasy and sci-fi to tell stories that pull the reader into different worlds and experiences. However, there's something to be said about introducing a piece of realistic fiction to an emerging reader so that they can feel that 'so someone has felt the same things that I have' feeling. When you're growing up, it's so easy to feel isolated and alien. You feel like your problems are huge and that no one could possibly understand your pains, frustrations, or anguish. And then a little book like this one comes along. Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg follows a little girl called Eleanor who experiences suffers abandonment and all the attendant stages of grief that come along after when the babysitter she's had her entire life moves away. With Eleanor's adjustment to a new babysitter who is wholly different from Bibi, she learns that sometimes change is good and relationships can survive distance. This is a good lesson for us all I think. This book is perfect for the emerging reader (probably why it was recommended in Excellent Books for Early and Eager Readers). It's written in short, simple sentences (somewhat oddly structured on each page) with illustrations by Matthew Cordell liberally spread throughout. 7/10… (more)