Diary of a Would-Be Princess: The Journal of Jillian Jones, 5b [Hardcover]

Jessica Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2007 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Jillian James is not popular. She's definitely not a Princess and barely a Normal; most likely, she's a Dork. Jillian's classroom diary traces a year at Flora Heights Primary School, navigating friendships, family problems, and the expectations of her teacher, Mrs. Bright.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—The journal that Jillian writes during fifth grade in a rural Australian town has a lot to recommend it and some problems as well. The girl progresses from being an unpopular loner who's envious of the Princesses in class to the center of a group that is mostly outcast boys. They range from socially awkward Nigel to Sam, who needs Jillian's help to complete schoolwork. Except for encouraging comments from her teacher, Mrs. Bright, the entries are all in Jillian's voice and any dialogue is indirect. As a result, it can be hard to distinguish other characters and they end up more as types than real people. Jillian is a wry and entertaining writer. Her description of a disastrous party she throws is very funny. She develops from a somewhat unlikable character into a kind soul. When one of her classmates is caught shoplifting, she gets her friends to write letters to the authorities to support him. A speech she makes up about procrastination is delightful but almost too grown-up. A glossary at the end of the book clarifies Australian slang; it would have been more help at the beginning. Even with it, the difference in tone, customs, and wording may be too much to keep American children interested, which is unfortunate. Although Jillian is a character who takes getting used to, she's definitely worth knowing.—Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Jillian James wants desperately to fit in with the Princess clique at her Flora Heights Primary School in Australia. Unfortunately, she is terrible at math, a disaster on the playground, and her only real friend (though she won't admit it) is nerdy Nigel. Jillian recounts the ups and downs of her fifth-grade year in a funny school journal that includes weekly comments from her teacher, Mrs. Bright. As the year progresses, Jillian takes tentative steps toward getting out of her slump--she hosts a party for her classmates, struggles through a school athletic tournament, and writes an award-winning speech on the fine art of procrastination--emerging more confident of her strengths and comfortable with her social status. Australian vocabulary and idioms have been left intact (a glossary is appended), adding to the rich local color of Green's fiction debut. The author makes her point about friendship without ever becoming didactic, and her thoroughly delightful look at universal middle-grade concerns will work equally well for reading aloud or reading alone. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (January 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580891667
• ISBN-13: 978-1580891660
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,336,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Weird, February 11, 2011

By 

Brigitte - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of a Would-be Princess (Journal of Jillian James) (Paperback)

I did not like this book. this book was pointless this girl only points out the negatives in life and it's really dull and boring. normally i like books that are in diary style but i did not like this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it! Jillian is really cool, July 11, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Diary of a Would-be Princess: The Journal of Jillian James, 5b (Hardcover)

I'm an 11 year old Australian girl and I loved this book because it wasn't like other books where characters are always the popular kids at the beginning. It reminded me of my favourite books Judy Moody because Jillian like Judy is weird wacky and wonderful. I love her teacher and the way it is written in diary style. It makes it fun and easy to read.Looking forward to reading the next one.

5.0 out of 5 stars Daughter loved this book!, May 14, 2010

By 

M. Monica Richards "Genevieve's mom" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Diary of a Would-be Princess: The Journal of Jillian James, 5b (Hardcover)

My daughter was given this book by her aunt who is a middle school teacher. She loved it and is suggesting it for her book club.