TWELVE-YEAR-OLD GRACIE IS always flying under the radar of her overworked parents and outspoken siblings. But when she buys an old journal at a yar...
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Jun 13, 2008
Chelsea
rated it: 
A neat idea told in a way to make it as boring as possible. There were pacing problems, but decent characters; the writing was competent but certainly not amazing.
My one big issue, believe it or not, was that the plot was so unrealistic. I'm willing to go with the "everything Gracie writes in her journal comes true" plot, but you have to meet me halfway. I was with her through "make my parents stop fighting" and "get my sister a date with her crush" a More...
My one big issue, believe it or not, was that the plot was so unrealistic. I'm willing to go with the "everything Gracie writes in her journal comes true" plot, but you have to meet me halfway. I was with her through "make my parents stop fighting" and "get my sister a date with her crush" a More...
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Jul 01, 2009
Sandy
rated it:
This is another one that I just couldn't bring myself to finish. It's written in the spirit of old school fantasy like Edward Eager's Half Magic, but it's too much. There are so many direct references to this book and to Alice in Wonderland that I don't think there's a single original idea to be found. I was also frustrated with the portrayal of the main character, whose age seemed to fluctuate between 8 and 15 depending on the scene.
Also, this is a book that at first glance (and More...
Also, this is a book that at first glance (and More...
Apr 05, 2009
Erin
rated it:
Gracie is the smart, quiet middle child in her family whose best friends is the school genius. When she discovers a journal where whatever she writes comes true, she tries to use it for good, only to discover that the truth isn’t always what it seems. Starting with small, personal entries, such as giving her sister the date she’s been wishing for or a perfect score for her brother on a test he didn’t study for, her she really wants to solve bigger world problems, but doesn’t want them to backf
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Jun 17, 2009
Susan P
rated it: 
Gracie buys an old journal at a garage sale - and discovers that whatever she writes in the journal comes true in real life. Sounds like at idea at first - she writes that the principal removed the school dress code, and the next day he does. She writes that her dad gets the job of his dreams - and he does. But.... the results aren't always lasting. A few days later the principal not only reinstates the dress code, but requires uniforms. And Gracie's dad's amazing new job is in a town that
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May 14, 2009
Christiane
rated it:
Very similar in concept to The Genie Scheme. Powerless, mostly ignored middle child Grace buys a journal at a yard sale and discovers that everything she writes in it comes true! The possibilities are endless and overwhelming. World peace? Feed the children? Stop global warming? Make your cute boy best friend realize he has feeling for you after all? There were a few little annoying glitches that a good editor could have caught, and some things that felt a little false (an eighth-grade gi
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Apr 02, 2009
Barbara
rated it: 
Gracie Rawley is the quiet one in the family between her more demanding older sister, Jen, and younger brother, Alex. She buys a faded blue journal at a yard sale and soon discovers everything she writes in it comes true. For someone who always “flew under the radar,” what should she do with her new found power? When she shares the news with her best friend and secret crush, Dylan, he suggests she write about world peace or better yet that he gets to kiss his crush, Lindsay Jacobs after school t
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Jul 11, 2009
Jill
rated it:
Being 12 is confusing enough, but when you add in a magic journal, things are even more mixed-up! Gracie has acquired a journal in which whatever she writes comes true. At first this, seems like the best thing in the world. However, Gracies soon learns that there are consequences for everything. For instance, when she innocently writes, "Gracie's dad got a job as a sports announcer, the job he wanted more than anything else in the world," she never dreams that the job will be in a diff
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Jul 16, 2009
Terri
rated it:
Gracie, the middle child in her busy family, is often overlooked and feels powerless, but that changes when she buys an old journal at a yard sale. Gracie quickly discovers that anything she writes in the journal comes true. Her plan to to solve the great problems of the world quickly degenerates into attempts to solve her own difficulties. Unfortunately for Gracie her plans usually carry unforeseen details that make her solutions less than ideal and often create more problems than they solve. G
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Jan 13, 2011
Tracie
rated it:
Gracie buys a magical journal at a yard sale - everything she writes in it seems to be coming true. Should she write for world peace or to end hunger? Before she can even contemplate those big wishes, the more personal ones she's made seem to be going awry. An interesting mix of naivete and worldliness.
Feb 12, 2012
Caroline
rated it:
This book is about Grace. Her Mom is always working. Her Dad lost his job. Grace's younger brother Alex and older sister Jen are not really concerned. Grace finds a magical journal. What ever she writes actually happens! When she loses the book to Dylan's Dad (Dylan is her BFF)see what happens next!
Nov 30, 2009
H.orses
rated it:
This book is a great spin on a fairy tale come to life, I loved it! When reading I have found that many authors like to use Alice in Wonderland as a kind of feeling or something, but many use that reference and this book makes no exception with the Cheshire Cat on the cover. Amazing!
Oct 30, 2011
Bob
rated it:
Thought it was okay, a fun and safe middle school level book. I liked the homage paid to Alice in Wonderland, which was creative. I also think it provides some good thought for adolescents regarding their choices - sometimes truly benevolent actions turn out poorly.
May 12, 2009
Heather
rated it:
Gracie's new journal is kind of special. Everything she writes in it comes true. Of course, it isn't easy to make good decisions with a magic journal. And is it right to manipulate other people through magic?
Not bad. It didn't rock my world, but it was amusing.
Not bad. It didn't rock my world, but it was amusing.
Nov 23, 2008
danielle
rated it:
This is a clever "normal child finds magic object" tale with a self-aware twist. The author pays explicit homage to Half Magic and Alice in Wonderland and implicitly references dozens of other similar books.
Mar 08, 2011
Snow
rated it:
What if you had the power to change everything? ... And all you had to do was write down what you'd change? Gracie Rawley has that power.
The author has an amazingly realistic voice. Kudos.
The author has an amazingly realistic voice. Kudos.
Nov 17, 2010
Girl finds a magical journal; whatever she writes in it comes true. Chaos ensues.
Jul 23, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it:
Definitely owes a bit to Edward Eager, but doesn't get into the intricacies of wishing and wishes' consequences as distinctly as it might. Nice enough but there isn't quite enough here to distinguish it from the pack.
Aug 24, 2011
Sophie
rated it: 
i need help with this book, what is the climax, main conflict, mood, point of view, protagonist, antagonist, setting, theme, and genre. D: please help me!
Oct 19, 2008
Just found this at the bookstore. It is brand new I only hope that the book is as good as the cover introduction.
Aug 24, 2011
This book is okay . Im almost done with it but i cant seem to get into it . But hopefully i will .
Nov 15, 2008
Karen
rated it:
The book was a little hard for me to get into, but I the farther I got the more I liked it.
Nov 04, 2008
Laurie
rated it:
This wasn't exceptional, but I enjoyed it. See a future issue of SLJ for full review. :o)
Nov 10, 2011
Girl finds a magical journal; whatever she writes in it comes true. Chaos ensues.
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 01, 2012
Jan 07, 2012
