Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

It’s taken me far longer than I’m going to admit to get to Secrets Out! (The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine). I gave its predecessor to my second girlie for Christmas two years ago, I believe; for a long time I didn’t realize that she’d read it, but once I found that out and she found out that it was part of a trilogy, I put Secrets Out! on hold at the library and then–procrastinated.

Or, alternatively, chose other things to read.

I finished Secrets Out! on Wednesday, however, and once I review it tonight I get to pass it along (and get it out of my bedroom!). Unfortunately, I’m tired and feeling somewhat overwhelmed, which means that this review is going to be relatively short (and, possibly, slightly boring). Julie Sternberg’s trilogy (I haven’t read the third one yet, but I know it exists) isn’t just made up of diary entries; it also includes emails, notes passed in school, texts, and illustrations intended to be part of the diary. All of these things together continue the story of Celie, her older sister Jo, her parents, and her growing-ever-more-forgetful-and-confused Granny, as well as Celie’s friend Lula and a few others. It’s a book that successfully marries friend difficulties with painful life events, striking an impressive line between authenticity and story. Celie doesn’t always make the best choices, but you can’t help but love her–and root for her. My 10-year-old is going to blaze through (and thoroughly enjoy) it, but its brevity and illustrations make it accessible for younger or struggling readers as well.

And now I’m done. On to the next thing on my list for the evening…