Julep O' Toole: Miss Independent [Paperback]

Trudi Trueit (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Julep o’toole feels grown up. she’s eleven, after all, and ready to be independent! Now she just has to convince her mom that she’s old enough to wear makeup, have a cell phone, choose her own clothes, and make decisions about everything else in her life. After all, her mom lets Julep’s older sister, Harmony, do all these things. but just when Julep thinks her mom is finally starting to listen to her, a disastrous shopping trip stops everything. Now Julep and her mom are not even speaking! will Julep ever be understood and finally have the chance to be herself?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7–Julep OToole feels stuck in early childhood. At age 11, she would love to be more independent and make her own choices about her clothes, taking piano lessons, or wearing a bit of blush. Aunt Ivy explains that her Mom is stuck in a mother/daughter time warp and cant bear to see her little girl grow up. Julep records her frustrations, unhappiness, and feelings about her strained parental relationship in her journal. Unable to open any verbal communication with her insensitive and somewhat clueless mother, she turns to her Aunt Ivy for advice and develops a bit of insight after sharing her concerns. She finally finds a solution through a mother/daughter writing journal and creates a new level of understanding between them. In this story of conflict and resolution, an insecure, vulnerable, and caring girl evolves into a fine young woman. Juleps voice is bright, witty, and thoughtful, and her story will ring true for many a budding adolescent.–Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. In a follow-up to Julep O'Toole: Confessions of a Middle Child (2005), 11-year-old Julep thinks she is old enough to make her own decisions, whether about her wardrobe or piano lessons. Unfortunately, Mom has her own ideas about what's best for Julep, and they don't include a camera phone or makeup. They do, however, seem to include discussing Julep's need for a bra with a store clerk rather than with Julep herself. When Julep gets caught skipping piano lessons, the incident brings resentments out in the open. Although the mother-daughter relationship remains a little rocky, Julep gains some insight into her mother, and vice versa, and both come to realize the importance of communication and trust. This sequel incorporates lots of familiar preteen concerns, and Julep's perky diary entries, peppered throughout the narrative, bring intimacy to the wry, often heartfelt story, which stresses that growing up doesn't necessarily mean growing apart from family. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (May 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142408298
• ISBN-13: 978-0142408292
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,131,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Julep O' Toole Miss Independent By: Trudi Trueit, January 10, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Julep O' Toole: Miss Independent (Hardcover)

This was my favorite book because it was a story of friendship, true friendship. Julep hated he life because she got nothing she ever wanted unlike her older sister, Harmony who was aloud to have a phone, mini skirts, and most importantly freedom. Her mom only made matters worse by embarrassing her in public, a lot. They lived in a small town next to cloud nine in a modern day period. That's a few reasons I loved this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Julep is the best!, March 28, 2010

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Julep O' Toole: Miss Independent (Hardcover)

I am in the fifth grade and I have read all of the Julep books. This one is my favorite because I have felt just the way Julep does. Julep and her mom are always fighting about stuff like make-up and clothes. Julep doesn't want to fight anymore so she comes up with an idea to fix things with her mom. She writes in her journal and draws funny pictures. It was also a fun book because Julep gets to go to an alpaca farm and I have done that too. I wish there were more Julep books!!!!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Julep is great!, October 10, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Julep O' Toole: Miss Independent (Paperback)

Julep O'Toole is a great book! Julep is upset because she feels she is old enough to wear make-up and make her own decisions. Her mom isn't so sure. If you are a girl or a middle child you will really relate to Julep. I love how she finally solves the problem! She writes in a journal, too, and it is really funny.