Diary of Melanie Martin

by Carol Weston, Paul Michael (Narrator)

Dear Diary, You will never in a million years guess where we're going.Nope. Guess again. Never mind. I'll tell you. Italy! We're going to ITALY! In Europe!! Across the ocean!!! I even have a passport. It's really cool, except I'm squinting my eyes in the photo so I look like a dork. At least that's what my brother said. I call him Matt the brat. You would too. Trust me. . . . " Go ahead. It's not snooping, because you're invited to dig right into the private diary of Melanie Martin, age 10. Melanie is off to Italy on a family vacation with her art-obsessed mom, her grumpy dad, and her annoyingly cute 6-year-old brother. But Italy isn't exactly everything Melanie expects it to be. As she discovers Michelangelo, gelato, and the joy of penning poetry, she also discovers how much her crazy family really means to her. Maybe she won't trade them in after all. "From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Middle Grade, Travel, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Carol's newest novel, SPEED OF LIFE, is for ages 11+ Starred reviews: Kirkus, PW, Booklist, SLJ. New York Times: "perceptive, funny, and moving." Newbery medalist Richard Peck calls it "wonderful." Julia Alvarez says, "You won't want to put it down." Carol is also the author of AVA AND PIP, AVA AND TACO CAT and AVA XOX, (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky), a series about a fifth grade "word nerd." NYTBR says AVA AND PIP is "about sisterhood, but it's also a love letter to language." (nyti.ms/1ggyDHV) Carol has been "Dear Carol" at Girls' Life since 1994. Her first book, GIRLTALK (HarperCollins) was translated into 12 languages. A Yale grad with an M.A. from Middlebury, Carol has been a guest on Today and The View and loves visiting schools. The author of The Diary of Melanie Martin series (Knopf), her fan page is: www.facebook.com/writercarolweston. She posts helpful videos at www.youtube.com/girltalkwithcarol. She and her husband live in NYC, and have two daughters and a cat. twitter.com/carol_weston

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was ten or eleven. I was window shopping with my mom and I wanted to go into this used book store (because I've always loved books) and I sall this and asked my mom to get it for me, even though it wasn't in good condition. I read the book and I fell in love, not only with the book but with Italy. This book inspired me to travel and now after 4 years of looking at the map on my wall, hoping, and my mother and I saving pennies here and there I finally get to go :) thank you Ms.Carol for writting this book and giving me my dream. :)

[Wendee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book for Erin based on other things she's liked and she has read it in one day (it IS an easy read). I started reading mid-stream over her shoulder & then when she put it down, I started from the beginning. It's written as if it's Melanie's diary and it's hysterical, plus it reminds me of some of my own journaling.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Liked this book a lot because it was funny. I liked seeing the different paintings in the book. I also liked learning about Italy, the foods they served, and the leaning tower of Pisa. I LOVED the Character Matt. He was so cute and really funny!

[Livvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[Moczezoe0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it was really funny and entertaining. This book is about Melanie Martin and her adventure in italy. I liked learning about her life and her annoying little brother, who she calls Matt the brat. I also liked learning about Italy. in Italy, Melanie discovers Michelangelo, an Italian artist.

[Carolyn Lord]

i will love to read this book

[Wendy Moniz · Rating 4 out of 5]

great fun for kids, especially as a prep for travel to Italy!

[Dominique Cyparski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book to learn a little bit of italian and kinda funny!

[Fiorella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was really fun! I really liked it!

[Emily Wright]

this is the beat book i read in my life i realy like it and i think everone will to

[Paula Schumm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This YA book was cute. Melanie goes to Italy with her family, and she discovers the best in each family member. Her poem assignment for school goes well when Melanie abandons the rhymes and goes with what she has learned. Recommended.

[M.L. Tarpley · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!! I feel like Melanie is a kindred spirit. Her wit and observations are brilliant and exciting! I love being able to travel through a book especially to a country I haven't yet visited. Fantastic opening book in this series! I can't wait to read the others!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little book about a family vacation to Italy from the perspective of a ten year old girl. I loved the descriptions of Italy’s treasures and loved the family. Going to recommend to my daughter whom I think will easily relate to Melanie.

[Cassie Fleurs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this when i was 12 and thought it was boring

[Corinne Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was okay I liked this book because of how it is a diary written into a book. My favorite part is when the dad saw his ex girlfriend Sophie when he is on a anniversary with his wife Miranda. So Melanie told Matt that her and dad went out, and he said where. it shows a lot of relationship between her and her brother Matt. she likes him to think he is a brat and she likes to think that, but deep down we all know she loves her little brother. she cared for him when he was lost because she blamed herself because she wished early that morning that he would get lost. Matt lost his toy and he cant go to sleep without it. So she was showing him a performance and fell on her face and had to get stitches. Sisterly love.

[carrietracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty mediocre middle grades book. It's in diary form and chronicles Melanie's trip through Italy with her family. It has some family positive messages. There is more pseudo-swearing than I usually like in a book intended for this audience, but then again, it's probably a slightly lower reading level than its intended audience so it might be a pick for fourth or fifth grade reluctant or struggling readers rather than as a stretch for younger ones.

[svm · Rating 3 out of 5]

for school project: v. sweet. enjoyed the italian references. nice pronunciation guide, a different spin that works for kids, as well as adults.