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Friendship Over (The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine)

by Julie Sternberg

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543475,696 (4.1)None
"Ten-year-old Celie has quite a few things on her mind--fights with her sister Jo, secrets at school, an increasingly forgetful grandmother, and worst of all, a best friend who won't speak to her. How can a girl who hates change survive, when everything in her life is changing? By writing, of course. Celie's often comical and always heartfelt diary entries include notes, e-mails, homework assignments, and pages from her top-secret spy notebook."--… (more)
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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. ( )
  fernandie | Sep 15, 2022 |
Ten year-old Celie and Lula were inseparable one day ... until they weren't. And Celie's not certain why, but she uses her dad's gift of a journal to track her thinking. Is her Granny OK? Why does her big sister have a jerky friend? Are Mom and Dad fighting? Typeset to resemble a handwritten journal with ephemra pasted in, this early chapter book covers friendship, family dynamics, and the onset of Alzheimer's in age-appropriate ways. Recommended. (5) ( )
  activelearning | Jan 1, 2015 |
Friendships. Favorites. Family. Secrets and worries. Just another day for ten-year-old Celie Valentine Altman as she tries to understand her life, friends and family.

In Author Julie Sternberg’s middle grade novel, THE TOP SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE: FRIENDSHIP OVER, Celie writes her thoughts in a journal or diary. Many things in Celie’s life confuse her, and she tells her frustrations and fears like she sees them. Her diary is very personal to Celie, and she warns the reader to stop reading on page one. Following along with her diary entries will have you smiling and laughing and nodding your head at her observations about life. We see what she thinks about chicken for dinner and how her parents favor her sister, typical thoughts of many children her age. One thing I especially like is how much like her dad Celie is. Her emotions run deep. Why does her former best friend hate her? Why does she hate her friend? What is wrong with her granny that she loves dearly? Under all her complaints, however, we see the gentle heart of a girl who just wants to understand the world around her.

Fun black-and-white illustrations by Johanna Wright are just right for Celie’s thoughts and comments. Every elementary school library should have a copy of THE TOP SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE: FRIENDSHIP OVER, and teachers might want one for their classroom library. Also, pick up a copy or two for the middle school children in your family or other middle-graders you know. The author gives us a humorous peek into the life of a fourth-grader, perhaps reminding you of those days when you were in fourth grade and life was a puzzle.
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  beverlyjean | Jul 12, 2014 |
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"Ten-year-old Celie has quite a few things on her mind--fights with her sister Jo, secrets at school, an increasingly forgetful grandmother, and worst of all, a best friend who won't speak to her. How can a girl who hates change survive, when everything in her life is changing? By writing, of course. Celie's often comical and always heartfelt diary entries include notes, e-mails, homework assignments, and pages from her top-secret spy notebook."--

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