Just Another Day in Fourth Grade

The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine by Julie Sternberg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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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