From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7 -Alli begins seventh grade with her mom's underwear clinging to her pants. The most undesirable guy in the class, Jeremy, not only notices, but also refuses to forget. Alli goes on to journal the ups and downs of her year as she struggles with relationships and feelings. She constantly is either keeping a diary or instant messaging; the whole story is told through her writings. Central to her thoughts is becoming part of the most popular girl's small circle of friends, thus turning away from her longtime best friend. The story is fairly predictable, but Myracle's insights into a seventh-grade girl's insecurities and feelings make this a fun read with some real truths.-Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. Twelve-year-old Allison had hoped that seventh grade would be the year that she "finally stopped being invisible." But her first day of school brings more attention than she wished for: she unknowingly arrives with her mother's underwear clinging to her pant leg. Her "fashion disaster" has unexpected consequences when Rachel, queen of the popular clique, defends Allison against her classmates. Allison has conflicting feelings about her closest friend, Kathy, whose frequent jabs hurt her feelings, and she is more confused when Kathy accuses her of being a "wanna-be" in Rachel's clique. Myracle captures the stomach-twisting anxiety of middle-school friendship with spot-on details. Allison tells her own story in a diary filled with sharply authentic emotions that many kids will recognize: "I wish I were anyone but me." Supported by family members whom she finds both comforting and annoying, Allison finally learns to rely on her own instincts. Readers negotiating changing friendships of their own will find themselves in this honest, comical tour of middle school. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved











