Lucy's E-journal

by Jane Harrington

Lucy's (completely cool and totally true) E-Journal is a true-to-life confession of an 11 year old who has a lot on her mind. It's lighthearted but honest in dealing with life's twists and turns.

Lucy is 11, and it's her first day of summer vacation. Lucy anticipates that it's going to be one freaky summer, so she decides to right a tell-all E-Journal -- in an attempt to deal with it all. She figures if she can survive sleepaway camp, make up with her best friend, and keep her biggest enemy from moving in next door, then maybe everything will turn out OK. Maybe.

Genres: Middle Grade

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2002

About the author

Jane Harrington teaches creative writing and literature at Washington & Lee University and is a fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA). Her short fiction has appeared in an array of journals and anthologies, including Chautauqua, Feminine Collective, New Square, Big Fiction, Anthology of Appalachian Writers, and Mountains Piled Upon Mountains: Appalachian Nature Writing in the Anthropocene (West Virginia UP 2019). She has also authored best-selling books for the youth market (Scholastic, Lerner). Jane's novel In Circling Flight was the winner of the Brighthorse Books Prize and long-listed for Crook's Corner Book Prize. Her most recent book is Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance from Black Dog & Leventhal. www.janeharrington.com

Reviews

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book was about 15 years ago, and it became my number 1 favorite. Lucy is a ten year old girl who just got a computer in her room with an E-Journal software where she tells about her days. Her grandmother recently moved into the house with her parents and two sisters. The grandmother has Alzheimer's, constantly asks how old Lucy is, and because she doesn't remember that she feeds her cat, Milky Way (who she calls Pharaoh) the Grandmother feeds the cat all day and he has become very fat and happy. (Just wait till you read what and what-in she feeds the cat). Lucy almost must deal with her arch-nemesis Billy, who now wants to be called Bill, because his family is moving in RIGHT NEXT DOOR! Luckily she has her best friend Taylor at her side. And most of all, Lucy has a goal: she wants to get a pet ferret. Will she succeed in getting Billy's parents to change their minds before closing? Will she get her ferret? And will her Grandmother ever remember her age, let alone her name?
Lucy's E-Journal is a great book for kids that deals with life challenges kids face today that may not get the attention it needs. Lucy learns to start a goal, face the difficulties and disappointments, and preserve no matter the outcome. Lucy also is forced to realize the challenge of having a family member who simply does not remember, with no fault of their own, and must come to terms with it (also teaching kids to love their grandparents and care for them).

This is great for all ages.

[Kat Mellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a kid. ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. I carried this thing with me all around the states and re-read it more times than I care to think about. I recently re-read it as an adult. While I have a hard time believing that a ten-year-old could sound so eloquent, I still love this book to pieces anyway. There was something about this story that really clicked with me. I think it was Lucy's voice. She was a strong character who felt like your best friend by the end of the novel.

Fun fact: After reading this as a third grader, I mistakenly used "co-ed" as a substitute for "cool" for about six months. Don't ask. I have no flipping idea how that went down.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A favorite when I was a young pre-teen!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually the first book I've ever read back when I was 13yrs. old. And the first book I owned (but someone borrowed it and never returned). Anyways, I totally enjoyed and loved this book back then. I remember the way Lucy using some code, I use that code for the name of my crush, so if anyone will read my diary they wont know him.


This book is the reason why I'm so addicted about reading as I grew up. (Funny how I'm reviewing this after 11 years hahaha!)

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow but this is a true slice of a time in history, and one that I related to heavily lol

[Emily Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was obsessed with this book around 3rd grade. It's not high literature by any means, and I think the kids today might find the technology a little outdated. But it's so meaningful to me (and judging by these reviews a lot of other kids) because it's so relatable and honest. There's not just the first crush, mean kids, family spats, and friend drama in here, though all of those things are present. There's the frustrating, confusing, heartbreaking, sometimes sadly funny stories of her grandmother with Alzheimer's moving in. The format of a diary also makes this book unique and fun. Is it the best book I've read in my entire life? Not really. But the poignant moments, told through the eyes of a 10 year old, stick with me, as do the funny parts. The fact that I'm taking the time to write this review 10 years since I've last read it should tell you something in and of itself.

[*Danielle* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really funny! The only thing is that you could obviously tell what the ending was going to be like when you where in the middle of the book so for me it ruined the book! I would recommend it for someone who likes funny happy ending books though!

[Maribel · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so wonderful, i first read it when i was 9
and i still haven't forgotten how funny it was. i loved the way Lucy was and she was probably the luckiest person ever because she ended up getting what she wanted all along.

[10-11 Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really good i could not stop reading it.you would like it if u r a person who likes a dairy or email or journal format :) if u want to read it just tell me u can borrow it from me i hope u read it :)

[Sarah Frick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s funny...I fiercely adored this book when I was young, but re-reading it as an adult, I didn’t realize what a total brat Lucy could be. 😅 I still enjoy this for nostalgia but have since donated it.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM READING THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. SO FAR IT IS REALLY GODD.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was little, and I loved it. it was around 5th or 6th grade when i read this book.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cool book. Though I think I would enjoy it more when I was younger. I would definetly reccomend it to kids ages 9 and under.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, a cute little story. nothing too deep though.

[Shealea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this as a kid. Can't get over it.

[Presley Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book many, many years ago. It was the first time I ever really heard much about the cyber world, and of course it was through a book.

[Cayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember loving this book in 5th grade lol I believe I read it at least 3 times. Not sure how it is now. Maybe I'll read it a 4th time.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE IT!!!!!!

[TwoCagedBirds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book when I was a kid. It was one of my favorites growing up. I read it maybe a dozen or so times.

[b · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my absolute favorite when I was younger and I read it so many times. I've been trying to think of the name of it recently and it finally came to me today! Great memories :)