It's My Life

Diary of a Teenage Girl #2

by Melody Carlson

In this emotional sequel to Diary of a Teenage Girl, Caitlin O'Conner faces new trials as she grows in her faith and strives to maintain the recent commitments she's made to God. As a new believer, Caitlin begins her summer job and makes preparations for a Mexico mission trip with her church youth group. Torn between new spiritual directions and loyalty to Beanie, her best friend (now pregnant), Caitlin searches out her personal values on friendship, romance, dating, life goals, and key relationships with God and family. Tough choices threaten her progress, and her year climaxes in her realization that maturity sometimes means life-impacting decisions must be made ... by faith alone.

Genres: Young Adult, Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Teen, Romance

252 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2000

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't read this series, then you're really missing out on some awesome books. Sorry, but I have to say for a series by Melody Carlson, considering that not a lot happens in most of her books, it reeeeeeaaaaally rocks. Unfortunately my library doesn't have the third book, but I so wanna read it!

It's written in such a realistic way, something you really would expect in a teenager's diary. I think Melody Carlson sort of exagerated the way teen girls would write - I mean, being one myself, I do NOT say "like" and "totally" as much as Caitlyn does! That's sort of a stereotype, but then again, a lot of girls talk that way. It's better than if she sounded like Anne Frank or something.

The way Caitlin can remember long, word-for-word conversations is pretty unrealistic, because I keep a diary myself and have a VERY hard time remembering who said what. Those details are great for a novel, but sort of took away the feeling of a diary. Though clearly it would be boring without those details. Meldoy Carlson did continue to create an illusion, as it were, that Caitlin is remembering these things as she writes them.

Well, this review is contradicting itself left and right I guess. But the minor criticism I had for it is NOTHING compared to how much I loved it! READ THIS BOOK! IT'S REALLY, REALLY GOOD!!!!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25, I liked the first one better but this one is still good!

[Rachel Phelps Shearer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read the phrase “garbage dump kids” far too many times. Good god this one was bad. Caitlin is sanctimonious, and I fear so was 14-year-old Rachel when she read these.

[Caseyy =] · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Its My Life, I decided that it was my favorite book. I have chosen to rate it with four stars. I did not put five because this book is a Christian book and it limits it audience. The author, Melody Carlson, creates a very tense mood and makes the reader more eager to read on. With great details and expressions, this book makes it feel as if Caitlin, the main character, was your best friend. Caitlin is the antagonist of this story. Her character is created in the first book, Becoming Me.
I think that the plot in this story is very appealing because it does not drag on. It has many problems, but not to many to where the book is confusing. One example of a conflict in is when Caitlin's friend Beanie gets pregnant with a boy from her church. Before the weekend, Beanie was babysitting a little boy. One day she pushed him around the block in his stroller. Right then, a car came around the curve over the speed limit and did not see Beanie and the baby in the road. Beanies first reaction was to push the stroller out of the road and run. After she pushed it, the car hit her. Beanie went to the hospital and found out that her baby died. All Beanie could think about was crying. Now with out her baby, she thinks her life is ruined. Caitlin helps Beanie solve her problems and many other ones along the road. To me, the author made an amazing book that many people can read, enjoy, and connect to in many ways.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book popped on the side of the library's website, and I reserved it thinking that I'd read it with my daughter in mind. It is designed to appeal to teens, with a fakey 'handwriting' kind of font, as if it was actually a teenage girl's diary. I continually asked myself questions such as, Does this character seem real to me? Do her problems and the way she deals with them seem real to me? And yes, I thought this was a realistic book. The young girl struggles with her desire to be popular and to appeal to boys, and she struggles with her sinful responses to situations in a believable way. Among the topics dealt with are dating, teen pregnancy, anorexia, and conflicts with parents. As in real life, when the main character stays close to God, she experiences the Holy Spirit's peace and guidance, but when she drifts away, she conforms more to the world and loses her peace and joy. The one thing that bothered me about this book was when I got to the end and realized the author has a veritable industry of novels about teenage Christian girls and their struggles. Then I felt like her goal was less of connecting with and encouraging teens and more of churning out books to make money.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. Better than the first in the series, in my opnion. And I had not read it before, so I didn't have that nagging at the back of my mind.

I can see how teenage girls can really relate to the characters in the story. A fun read, but also makes you think.

However - is it really necessary to use a handwriting font for the entire story? Not the easiest to read, in my opinion.

[Dichotomy Girl]

I don't know why I do this to myself, it's so saccharine and jesus-y, yet I feel like I need to follow through.

[Tessa Palmeri aka Tonya Preece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Sofia Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Caitlin: "Dear God, it seems I'll never get this right. One minute I think I'm doing pretty well, and the next thing I know I'm having totally selfish and shallow thoughts. How long will it take for me to really change?"


Best friend? Pregnant. Second best friend? Seriously sick. Ex-boyfriend? Hanging out with someone else.

Caitlin can't help but worry about all the people in her life. She tries to help, but that takes up SO much time and doesn't' even seem to help anyway. And then her parents get all upset with her about what she wants to do after she graduates next year. Seriously? Doesn't Caitlin have a right to do what she feels God calling her to do? Then again, is that Him speaking - for sure?

"It's My Life" explores the topics of missions, dating (or not!), teenage pregnancies, family relationships, and more. The book delves deep into the thoughts of a teenage girl.

"It's My Life" is the second in the Diary of a Teenage Girl: Caitlin series. The first is "Becoming Me;" the third, fourth, and fifth are "Who I Am," "On My Own," and "I Do!"

[Joyfully Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite quotes:

"We all need to be missionaries. Like I said tonight, Jesus wants us to reach out to those around us. He's put us where we are for good reason. You can be a missionary without ever leaving home."

"But the truth is, I would rather live like that (sold out for God) than the way I've been living these past few weeks. I'd rather know that I totally belong to God and that He's in control of my life than to feel like I'm running or hiding or whatever. Because God's way is better. I just know it. And now that I've reached this place, I feel so free and happy and secure. And now I realize that it's the only place I want to be."

"It almost seems the harder a person's life is, the harder they hold on to God. Makes me think we all need to have a really hard life or something. Although I'm sure that's not really true. I guess we just need to realize how lost we all are without God, and then to appreciate how great it is to have Him!"

I'd highly recommend this book. :)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this installment of the series was even better than the first, which is very hard to do. This book is pretty realistic, allowing its main characters to have the limitations and freedoms that normal people their age have. I'm almost 17, and this book pinpointed many of the struggles I'm going through as a teenager. I thought this series would be cheesy, but the first book proved itself so I bought the rest of the series. Highly recommend for both Christian and non-Christian teen girls. These books make you think about your own life. The character development is probably one of the best I've read. Caitlyn is so real and actually have her own personality while still being able to relate with a variety of teenage girls. I consumed this book in two days. Look forward to the rest of the series.

[Karalynn Shade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book a month or two ago and it was ok. It really shows how God can work through someone's life and change it. It wasn't that interesting to me, but I love how it explains the missions trip and how the main character couldn't get it off her mind. That's really how a missions trip is. I know, I've been to Belize and the same thing happened with me and a lot of the other people on our trip. If you're a girl, you will probably like this book. I would recommend this book to any girl thirteen to eighteen. It's a little girly and dramatic, but it's not too bad.

[Taylor]

It's My Life by Melody Carlson, is a passionate sequel to Diary of a Teenage girl, Caitlin O’ Conner faces new problems as she longs to grow in her faith and maintain commitments, she has made to herself and God. As a new believer in Christ Caitlyn starts a summer job working in her dad's office. Her best friend Beanie, who is now pregnant, makes Caitlyn wonder if it is worth staying friends with her. Caitlyn struggles with loyalty and finds herself with all her struggles piling up.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I read this when I was a teenager, but only remembered two of the major plot points. This one DID fall into the trap the first one avoided, with tons of verbatim conversation that's just not realistic for a diary. I did like that the copy I have (with the bright orange cover) actually shows a blonde girl, which fits Caitlin's description of herself better than the cover of the first book.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's My Life is a diary based book, giving insight into the life of a teenage Christian girl. Cute short book, which could prove hope and meaning for many teenagers and young adult. Love the message behind this book.

[Brianna Fellers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing!! I can't wait to read the third one!!!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend.

[Gloria Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

*****3.5 Stars*****

[Zoë · Rating 4 out of 5]

its obviously a good series, im just getting tired of caitlyn. she's kinda a blabbermouth, i'd like to meet the next character now :I

[Sophia Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It didn’t feel realistic to me, and they writing style was absolutely awful.

[Carly Leigh Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I really do admire Caitlin for sticking by her principals.

[Alyssa Boni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book for many people and will help strengthen your faith.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second book in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, Caitlin really starts to grapple with who she is. She still has the immaturity of a teenager, but the confidence she has in her faith and because of her faith is a noticeable difference in her character. It's truly an inspirational read, reminding us about what is important in friendships, family, and our individual lives.

[Carly Poro · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the story "It's My Life," the main character Caityln is a very religious girl and is respectful. Her best friend is Beanie, however, she recently got pregnant with her boyfriend and Caitlyn is very against it because she is still a young and not married. So, Caitlyn has started to bond and become closer with another girl named Andrea in her church group. They recently have been hanging out and she has taken the place of Beanie. Unfortunately, one day Beanie got hit by a car by jumping in front of a little boy to save his life. From this situation, Beanies baby has died and she was mortified. Evenly though the baby died, Caityln was somewhat happy because now Beanie will become a "normal" teenager again. At the church groups, they have discussed about an upcoming mission trip to Mexico. Since Beanie and Caitlyn are becoming closer again, Caityln wants Beanie to come along. However, Beanie could not come up with the money. Caityln then secretly collects money and tells the group leader to give this money to Beanie and say that someone has donated the money for her to go. At the trip, they experienced everything from starving kids, people with no homes, and helpless people eating out of garage dumps. From this experience, Beanie and Caitlynn have grown closer as friends as well as God. They are both so thankful about everything they have in their lives and they start to give back to people more and more. The author ended this book really well. He started the beginning of the book with people not really realizing how good they have it, and for them to go through something sad really changes their perspectives on life. I would not change this ending, it was really good and effected me. I really liked this book because I am also very religious and I like going on mission trips also to help other people. To read about someone else doing the same thing and becoming a better person really inspires me. I have not read a book like this before so I can not relate this to another book, but I could relate this to my life because I am a teenager also and we all go through the same struggles and face the same obsticles.

[Isabella Romanazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed my book It's My Life by Melody Carlson. The main character Cate tells her story of how she became closer with God, and how He helped with her problems. Cate's best friend, Beanie was faced with challenges with her mother and getting pregnant. Meanwhile, their friend Jenny was suffering from anorexia and needed mental help. With all this going on, Cate's Youth Group ventured on a trip to Mexico to feed starving children as a project. This experience really reached out to Cate and made her feel that God is calling her to be a missionary, and that she can go to Him for absolutely anything. Feeling more powerful than ever, Cate goes home with a new attitude and ways to help her friends Beanie and Jenny. Beanie's young pregnancy failed, even though this was a horrible shock, Cate thought it was all for the best. Beanie's other conflict was with her abusive mother. Cate had an idea to talk to her about God, and turning her life around which opened new perspectives. On the other hand, Jenny's annorexia issues were being tamed when she was sent to a help center and recieved visits from Cate and Beanie making, her feel loved. Believe it or not, the book ended with everyone's issues being resolved. Beanie was developing a better relationship with her mother, Jenny was getting better at eating, and Cate continued to work with God to help those in her life who needed it and solve problems. If I could change the way the book ended, I would have liked to see Cate's parents give her permission to be a missionary in Mexico with the kids who touched her heart and changed her life in the first place. It's My Life reminds me of the book and movie The Blind Side because the main character who plays the mother is very caring and giving just like Cate.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will begin saying that I've never really been into modern day fiction. I've just always found it really cheesy and like the script to a bad chick flick. However, the Diary of a Teenage Girl Caitlin series is not like that! It easily could be one of my favorite series and I would probably read them again if I had not Ebayed them (so that I could get other books...).
I chose to review this book because it was my favorite of the series. I won't spoil anything, but Melody Carlson really held my interest. I finished the book in two days! (it isn't that long, but that's pretty good for me) If I remember correctly, the book picked up just right before a new school year for Caitlin (OK, actually I 'looked inside the book!' on Amazon). Which means school drama and things of that nature- but not lame stuff. Very realistic situations... OK, it has been a little while since I read it, so I can't remember too many details. Anyway, I felt like I was reading a real diary; it was written just like how a girl my age would write. The font that the book was typed in takes a little while to get used to though. Not as if it's a big deal; it doesn't take away from the story or anything.
With everything being said, I would definitely recommend this book as well as the other Caitlin books to any teenage girl. They are fun reads in addition to being a good example of how to live a life for Christ.

[Stephanie Ziegler]

I really need to go back and read book 1 again. It has been so long inbetween that I forgot the things that happened. I tried to go back and read my review but I only give you a glimpse of what happens at the beginning of a book – I leave the good stuff for you to find out on your own. So when the 2nd book referenced the 1st book, I was a little confused. Though it did not stop me from getting the jist and it did not stop me from understanding the 2nd book.

While the format of the diary remained the same, I did not enjoy the 2nd book as much as I thought I would. I felt the author touched on key emotions and questions a 17 year old has, but she could have dived deeper, especially how her parents felt when Caitlin was questioning going to college. My parents would have sat me down and informed me about the ‘adult’ things I would face.

This book really focused a lot with Caitlin’s religion, her back and forth with God and prayer. I think in a perfect world, like written in a book, everyone would be interested in religion and curious about God. I would have liked to see a hard care non religious person to truly test Caitlin’s beliefs. Well, there are still three more books to find out.

If you don’t believe me, check it out for yourself!

Until next time, live life one page at a time!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book in the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Carlson continues the story of Caitlin O’Connor, now seventeen, as she moves though her life and slowly matures in her faith and relationship with God. Caitlin goes on a mission trip with her youth group to mexico and it totally changes her perspective. She believes God is calling her to be a missionary! At first she runs away from it. But after a lot of prayer and thought she decides to let God lead her.

This was just as good as her first book (If not even better). I love the way it’s written as a diary. It covers a lot of the problems most christian teenage girls are facing. I love these books since I learn so much from them. Really awesome story and writting.

***GOOD***

Everything about ths was great. I also love how much God was mentioned.



***BAD***

type was hard to read. No other bad things about this book! It was awesome!



I rated this book PG. Ages 12+. This book was much cleaner than the first book. So a younger kid could read it but it’s meant for older kids and younger might find it boring.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about Caitlin. She goes through hardships and struggles to discover who she is. She begins to realize that the world doesn't revolve around her. At one particular point in the book, she goes on a mission trip to Mexico where she learns to love and care for others. She begins to put others first and sacrifice her own desires. Throughout the story she is constantly being tempted by subtle sins, such as pride and putting her feelings before her morality. She tries keeps God as her highest priority regardless of her own personal desires. At one point she is tempted to date an older guy and she likes the way he makes her feel, but she chooses to honor God, rather than let her emotions decide for her. She is a good friend, she sticks by her friend and gives her advice.
Overall, I learned that it is important to not say I told you so, and try to get back at others. Instead I need to try to understand where they are coming from and be Christlike toward them and be a good example in my actions. The book challenged me to put others needs in front of my desires.