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Connie Pickles #1
Cross Your Heart, Connie Pickles
Love, money, friendship . . . and incredibly uncomfortable underwear ? All these eternal mysteries are small challenges to Constance de Bellechasse. Too bad the glamorous inner persona of Constance comes through only as plain old Connie Pickles in everyday life. Connie's first order of finding her mother a new husband. Connie enlists the help of her best friend, Julie, and before long everything spirals out of control. Boy-crazy Delilah begins fluttering around Connie's best guy friend, Will, and ever-reliable Will has been acting strangely awkward around Connie. But with a little luck and a lot of determination, Connie is sure that she can make everything right again in her world.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2005
About the author
Sabine Durrant
20 books625 followersSabine Durrant lives in London, England, with her three children.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 15, 2009
"Cross Your Heart, Connie Pickles" is a little like "Harriet the Spy" meets "Ghost World." This book was the personal diary of 14 year old Connie Pickles and her meddling misadventures. It was both laugh out loud funny and a realistic, endearing coming-of-age story. Some children's books are written solely for kids, but some kids' books can be appreciated even more from an adult perspective. I found myself thinking more than once that kids were probably missing out on some of the book's insight, some parts of the total message of the book, and even some of the humor.
Connie lives in a small flat in the UK with her mother and two small siblings. Her main objective at the start of her personal diary is to find her mother a new boyfriend. Her father passed away when she was a baby, and her stepfather and mother had been divorced for a while. Connie gets a Saturday job at the local pharmacy with the intention of fixing her mom up with the cute, young owner, Mr. Leakey. The job and Mr. Leakey both turn out teach her much more than she bargained for.
Both of Connie's female best friends seemed to have grown up in a lot of ways without her. They are already going to parties and snogging boys. Even though Connie is still close with the other girls, she feels like she might be missing out. And Connie's very best friend, William, is acting even more strangely. All of a sudden, he's acting like he likes her as more than a friend, which Connie doesn't want at all! Or does she?
The progression of Connie's feelings towards William is so heartfelt and honest. At first, she's so scared of her feelings for him, that she is rude and almost mean to him. William is the perfect first love. He's so sweet and continues to like Connie even after she pushes him away. The way he rides up and down the street while she's at work struck me as so darn cute-something that could only be cute between 14 year olds in love. Also, she was always opening her door to find that he had left chocolates on the doorstep for her. Still, it was hard for her to see more than her best friend in William.
I loved Mr. Leakey as a father figure for Connie. He was such a thoughtful, reassuring influence on her. He guided her to open her mind to see different viewpoints, not to blindly follow what others say, including himself. He wanted her to take others' advice and then think for herself.
And Connie herself was just a fantastic character, so self-assured and vulnerable at the same time. Her strong sense of herself and funky thrift store clothes willl pull her through even the roughest parts of adolescence. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, and I hope Durrant writes more, because I can't get enough of Connie Pickles!
Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
Connie lives in a small flat in the UK with her mother and two small siblings. Her main objective at the start of her personal diary is to find her mother a new boyfriend. Her father passed away when she was a baby, and her stepfather and mother had been divorced for a while. Connie gets a Saturday job at the local pharmacy with the intention of fixing her mom up with the cute, young owner, Mr. Leakey. The job and Mr. Leakey both turn out teach her much more than she bargained for.
Both of Connie's female best friends seemed to have grown up in a lot of ways without her. They are already going to parties and snogging boys. Even though Connie is still close with the other girls, she feels like she might be missing out. And Connie's very best friend, William, is acting even more strangely. All of a sudden, he's acting like he likes her as more than a friend, which Connie doesn't want at all! Or does she?
The progression of Connie's feelings towards William is so heartfelt and honest. At first, she's so scared of her feelings for him, that she is rude and almost mean to him. William is the perfect first love. He's so sweet and continues to like Connie even after she pushes him away. The way he rides up and down the street while she's at work struck me as so darn cute-something that could only be cute between 14 year olds in love. Also, she was always opening her door to find that he had left chocolates on the doorstep for her. Still, it was hard for her to see more than her best friend in William.
I loved Mr. Leakey as a father figure for Connie. He was such a thoughtful, reassuring influence on her. He guided her to open her mind to see different viewpoints, not to blindly follow what others say, including himself. He wanted her to take others' advice and then think for herself.
And Connie herself was just a fantastic character, so self-assured and vulnerable at the same time. Her strong sense of herself and funky thrift store clothes willl pull her through even the roughest parts of adolescence. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, and I hope Durrant writes more, because I can't get enough of Connie Pickles!
Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
March 23, 2023
3.5 because it kept me reading, but strangely I didn't like it.
Judging from the cover and knowing nothing about this book, I expected it to be a sweet, gentle, and quirky read...which it was, somewhat. The main character was quirky, but this book was more along the Josie Eccles/Louise Rennison variety of YA books, and certainly nothing I'd call sweet or gentle.
The narrative voice was strong, written in first person as Connie's diary, and it definitely kept me reading chapter after chapter. I wasn't too big on the overall story, in which Connie and her best friend try to set her single mother up with someone, with lots of teenage hijinks along the way. The heavy political tones were off putting and over done as well. And while this book was a great nostalgia read to take me back to England in 2005 for me, other than that I really didn't care for it.
Judging from the cover and knowing nothing about this book, I expected it to be a sweet, gentle, and quirky read...which it was, somewhat. The main character was quirky, but this book was more along the Josie Eccles/Louise Rennison variety of YA books, and certainly nothing I'd call sweet or gentle.
The narrative voice was strong, written in first person as Connie's diary, and it definitely kept me reading chapter after chapter. I wasn't too big on the overall story, in which Connie and her best friend try to set her single mother up with someone, with lots of teenage hijinks along the way. The heavy political tones were off putting and over done as well. And while this book was a great nostalgia read to take me back to England in 2005 for me, other than that I really didn't care for it.
May 2, 2013
For some weird reason, I didn't think I was going to like this book. The reason was the front cover and description. They sounded so meh. But now, I am so glad that I did read it. It wasn't entirely remarkable, but for some reason I loved this book. Whether it's the characters or Connie or the descriptions or the story. Well, I don't know. What I do know is that I'm glad that I gave it a chance because when it came down to it this book was good.
I'm not going to give a description because a) I doubt this will ever get read and b) there is one that Goodreads so helpfully supplies. I love Connie's honesty and her confusion. But it's not the type of confusion that makes you want to make her be real just so you can punch her in the face. It's the type of confusion that you can relate with. I loved the way she described how the nicer William was the more annoyed she got with him because that is so believable.
I liked this book because I din't get that impression of it trying to make you love it. I didn't get the impression that the characters were perfect or that their flaws were clichéd, I was surprised by it and saddened by it. Throughout it all I was glad that I had decided to take it out after all. I don't quite know what to compare it to, but for those who liked Raspberry rules by Karen McCombie, you might just like this.
I'm not going to give a description because a) I doubt this will ever get read and b) there is one that Goodreads so helpfully supplies. I love Connie's honesty and her confusion. But it's not the type of confusion that makes you want to make her be real just so you can punch her in the face. It's the type of confusion that you can relate with. I loved the way she described how the nicer William was the more annoyed she got with him because that is so believable.
I liked this book because I din't get that impression of it trying to make you love it. I didn't get the impression that the characters were perfect or that their flaws were clichéd, I was surprised by it and saddened by it. Throughout it all I was glad that I had decided to take it out after all. I don't quite know what to compare it to, but for those who liked Raspberry rules by Karen McCombie, you might just like this.
February 10, 2024
This book felt like coming back from school when I was 11ish, eating a quick meal fixed by my grandma, buried in the pages to see what happens next. It was a quick and fun read, most likely because I saw my childhood in Connie. Made me feel warm inside.
“Julie laughed at my expression. ‘It’s the pressure of having to enjoy yourself. These are the best years of our lives. People are always telling us that, aren’t they? So if you are not having the best crack ever, you think, what’s wrong with me? I’m missing out. Everyone else is having a great time and I’m not. But you know, sometimes I think, well…’
‘What?’
‘That we’ve got the rest of our lives too.’ “
“Julie laughed at my expression. ‘It’s the pressure of having to enjoy yourself. These are the best years of our lives. People are always telling us that, aren’t they? So if you are not having the best crack ever, you think, what’s wrong with me? I’m missing out. Everyone else is having a great time and I’m not. But you know, sometimes I think, well…’
‘What?’
‘That we’ve got the rest of our lives too.’ “
January 25, 2016
Acabo de releer este libro. Recuerdo que mi madre me lo compró hace ya bastante tiempo y me encantó. Cuando empecé en Goodreads y quise poner nota a los libros que había leído hacía años, me preocupaba no estar poniendo una nota justa, ya que con el tiempo se me había borrado esa primera impresión y no recordaba los detalles, así que me propuse ir releyendo todos esos libros a lo largo del tiempo. Este es el primero.
El libro cuenta la historia de Connie Pickles, una chica de 14 años. Connie quiere encontrarle un novio a su madre y escribe en su diario sus planes y resultados.
La verdad es que es un libro para chicas de entre 13 y 16 años. Se habla un poco de sexo y bastante de chicos, pero todo desde un punto de vista algo infantil.
He podido ver por qué me gustó tanto en su día. El final me ha hecho sentir mucho y me alegro de haberlo releído. El formato diario me encanta, se lee rápido y, dejando de lado algunas faltas, lo demás está todo bien.
Además, me acabo de enterar de que hay una segunda parte, aunque creo que nunca se llegó a traducir al español.
Aunque no es una gran obra literaria, lo recomiendo para adolescentes.
El libro cuenta la historia de Connie Pickles, una chica de 14 años. Connie quiere encontrarle un novio a su madre y escribe en su diario sus planes y resultados.
La verdad es que es un libro para chicas de entre 13 y 16 años. Se habla un poco de sexo y bastante de chicos, pero todo desde un punto de vista algo infantil.
He podido ver por qué me gustó tanto en su día. El final me ha hecho sentir mucho y me alegro de haberlo releído. El formato diario me encanta, se lee rápido y, dejando de lado algunas faltas, lo demás está todo bien.
Además, me acabo de enterar de que hay una segunda parte, aunque creo que nunca se llegó a traducir al español.
Aunque no es una gran obra literaria, lo recomiendo para adolescentes.
October 15, 2013
It is a good book and written in the style of a diary, which I like its a good book I going to read the next one!
September 1, 2017
Un libro delizioso e delicato, a metà tra chick lit e letteratura per l'adolescenza, rivolto alle ragazze e non solo. Connie Pickles, al secolo Constance de Bellechasse, ha una famiglia di cui deve prendersi cura: il papà è scomparso prematuramente, i nonni sono lontani, la mamma - francese - è tanto carina quanto incapace (così pensa Connie!) di trovarsi l'uomo giusto, dopo la separazione da Jack, con cui ha allargato la famiglia con i piccoli Cyril e Marie. E allora sarà Connie a cercare di 'aiutarla', insieme all'amica del cuore Julie, con tutto l'impegno e l'ingegnosità di cui sono capaci due ragazzine. Ma anche la vita sentimentale di Connie avrebbe bisogno di aiuto...
November 9, 2017
Oh, the problems & perils of the teenage years....Fourteen-year-old Connie is in desperate need of help to solve the eternal mysteries of friends (male & female), love, money, French things (including kisses)& uncomfortable underwear....to add to this she is also trying her hand at matchmaking by trying to find a man for her beautiful French mother....needless to say, all does not go according to plan!
I'm sure everyone who recalls their teenage years will find something in Connie to identify with....& younger readers will love her too.
I'm sure everyone who recalls their teenage years will find something in Connie to identify with....& younger readers will love her too.
June 4, 2017
Very good book! Very engaging and makes you constantly want to read more! A bit of a weak story line but ultimately a good read. I would recommend it to 12-14 year olds. The only downside to this book is that it ends on a huge cliffhanger which leaves to to guess what happens next!
February 1, 2023
Lasciato a metà.
November 13, 2008
Cross your heart Connie Pickles is a book about a girl who wants to find a perfect man for her mom. She also wants to win the foreign exchange but her family is not in a very good position economically. With all that happening she then starts to see that her best guy friend Will is changing and her feelings toward him too. So what is Connie going to do now, read it if you want to find out though there is something you must knoe in some parts there are talks of sexual relationships and smoking too.
April 29, 2013
Four years ago, I originally gave it 5 stars because I never considered the technicality of a book back then. This book was one of the first few that I've never finished. Ironically, I've loved this book so much that I've lost count on the times I've reread it.
Looking back, I realized that although it was light-hearted and cute, it was too dense. Also, I never liked the main character. She was your typical Mary Sue.
Looking back, I realized that although it was light-hearted and cute, it was too dense. Also, I never liked the main character. She was your typical Mary Sue.
January 24, 2014
Bought this book for my soon to by 10 year old daughter. It was in the book store under the 8-13 year old section. As I was reading it I was surprised about the things she was talking about and realized this is NOT a book for a child. I, however enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun to read and had a cute ending, but being a grown up I could appreciate it a bit more. Maybe will let my daughter read this when she is in high school.
July 6, 2022
Un libro leggero, che ci insegna che l' amore lo trovi dove meno te lo aspetti. Questo romanzo tratta le vicende di una ragazzina di quattordici anni, Connie Pickles, che cerca invano di trovare un fidanzato per la madre, e forse riuscirà a trovarne uno anche per lei...nel libro viene anche accennata la politica di quegli anni, ma in modo molto leggero e soprattutto dal punto di vista dei giovani come Connie
February 22, 2011
I wouldn't say i liked it, but it was a fun read. It made me reminisce of my highschool years - a time when there was never a day that passed without writing on my journal about my best friends and frenemies; boys and crushes; and all those bits of drama most teenagers go through in the trying years of adolescence.
January 31, 2012
Cute and quirky, although not the most well-written book. A fun read though I thought Connie was a bit too full of herself. Glad she realised this later on :) A disappointing, rushed ending as the author seemed to be attempting to tie up all loose ends in less than ten pages. Won't read this book again...
Read
March 13, 2010Horrible book. The ending was such a let down i'm not even going to give it a rating. I just hated it. It seems liek a good book but this time my instincts were wrong. nevre ever giving it a second chance.
May 30, 2008
Awesome book!!!
October 8, 2009
Fun little light-hearted romp.
January 3, 2012
This was a good pre teen book but it can be dark at times! Which I wasn't expecting just based on the cover alone but it is still enjoyable.
April 18, 2012
it was alright
Read
August 27, 2012i though it was really good!!!!!!!!!!1
December 28, 2012
I liked it. It was a quick and quirky reminiscence of high school angst.
September 11, 2013
Picked this up at random in the school library. I don't usually read really girly books and aren't really keen on them. Although I did enjoy the story, I found the characters a bit immature.
May 22, 2016
I loved this book! I have reread it so many times. Connie is such an interesting character! This book is great. I loved all of the characters. They seemed so real! I can't wait to read the next book!
July 10, 2013
A lot better than I expected a book about a match-making 14-year-old to be
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews