Stars: ****
I received this book for review from Tundra Books. I read it during the Read-a-Thon. I’m also counting it towards the 2nd Canadian Book Challenge.
Summary: When sixth-grader Gene Tucks moves south, she dreads being the new kid at school and almost everything else about her life as a “nobody.” But what she dreads most is the hundred-day journal-writing assignment her teacher has given the class. His brilliant idea is to have the journals locked in the town museum’s vault for forty years so that future grade-sixers can read them.
At first, Gene has trouble writing to someone who isn’t even born yet. But little by little, Dear Nobody becomes Dear Somebody, who evolves into Dear Toni. And bit by bit, Toni, a good listener, becomes a best friend to whom Gene tells everything. And, there’s lots to tell. Read More
I really enjoyed this book. It is aimed at ages 8-12 and I would agree. The book is designed to look like an actual journal, with lined pages plus Gene includes hand-drawn doodles which really make the journal come alive. Even the page numbers look hand written.
The story was cute and had some good lessons and most importantly, it sounded like a 6th grader writing which is what Gene is. It has high points and low points, happy points and sad points and really captured my interest even at age 25.
Recommended to preteen girls.
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