Category/genre: Young Children's picture book
notable: graphic novel

Amelia is a young girl who moves to a new school and describes the new journey she is embracing along with the memories she left behind. Amelia writes about gossip and bullying and how she is dealing with it and the survival guide for anybody that deals with it as well. This book is relatable and great for students to read as they experience a new way of writing. I would be geared towards upper level grades such as fifth or sixth. ( )

I liked the book "Amelia's Notebook". I liked the point of view from which it was written, telling Amelia's point of view as she moves across the country. The illustrations contribute to her point of view because they are all generated by her and what she collects during the trip. The big idea of this notebook is making new friends.

I liked this book for many reasons. First, it is written in the perspective of the main character and as if she is actually writing in a journal. The pages are filled with pictures "drawn" by Amelia. She also explains her pictures with little captions that float around the page. Another thing I liked was that the book was relatable. Even though not everyone who reads this can relate to the experience of moving, all children can relate to the experience of a new school. I also loved the fact that not every page had actual text on it. For example, one page is all about the teachers in the school and Amelia draws pictures of them and explains who they are in her captions. She also does the same thing on the next page when talking about some of the kids in her class. I thought it was great for the author to not conform to the usual look of children's books. She created the book in a way that children can understand especially with writing in different directions on the same page and having to find space to continue their thought. Lastly, the author throws in the perspective of a child's wandering mind. For example, she says, "I start to write, but then things get in the way. Like suddenly I notice my hand that's doing the writing, and I start thinking, why are hands so wrinkly?" I love that children can really understand this book because it is written in a perspective similar to their own. I believe the main idea of this book is to be true to yourself and know that some friendships won't change no matter the circumstance. ( )

Memories!!!! I did not like to read in elementary school! But this book peeked my interest. This book made me realize that there are books out there made for me. The illustrations were incredible it was set up like a composition notebook with illustrations from a 9 year old girl. LOVE THIS BOOK! ( )

Got a pretty little reader who isn't crazy about actually reading? All the Junie B's and Judy M's of the world hold no appeal for her? "Too many words!" Then check out this fun, colorful series. Your kidlets will be reading without even knowing it's good for them.

Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss (ages 7-10, strong girl appeal) is designed as an upbeat, first-person story which resembles a real diary. The cover bears the familiar black-and-white abstract design of a .99 cent composition book, decorated with color cartoons by Amelia, the book's nine-year-old "author."

Inside, on lined pages, Amelia writes about her recent move to a new town, doodles pictures of people she meets and saves such mementos as postage stamps and a birthday candle.

She misses her best friend, Nadia, but her moments of sadness are balanced by optimism-she distracts herself by drawing and by writing short stories. In appropriately conversational terms, Amelia complains that her big sister invades her privacy ("So Cleo if you are reading this right now-BUG OFF and STAY OUT"); gripes about cafeteria food ("Henna says they use dog food); and jokes in classic elementary-school gross-out fashion.

Readers will understand Amelia's wish to put her "top-secret" thoughts on paper, and they'll notice that even though she's uneasy about attending a different school, she's starting over successfully.

Keep in mind that there are some 15 books in the series. Also, a mildde-school aged Amelia has another series of journals about life after elementary school.

Lisa
www.thebookmama.com ( )