Nikki's hoping the gift her mother gives her before she starts school at Westchester Country Day will be a brand new cell phone, so she can fit in with the CCP (Cute, Cool & Popular) group at her new school. Instead, it's a blank book. Nikki is crushed, because 'Absolutely no one writes their most intimate feelings and deep dark secrets in a diary anymore! WHY?! Because just one or two people knowing all your BIZ could completely ruin your reputation. You're supposed to post this kind of juicy stuff online in your BLOG so MILLIONS can read it!!!' Nikki writes (and draws) in the diary anyway. When the school year starts, Nikki's locker is next to MacKenzie the most popular (and meanest) girl in eighth grade. As Nikki says, 'To call MacKenzie a 'mean girl' would be an understatement. She's VICIOUS! She's a PIT BULL in glittery eye shadow and Jimmy Choo flip-flops!' Nikki may be the new girl at Westchester Country Day, but when she hears about the school's art show, Random Acts of Avant-Garde Art, she's determined to win the five hundred dollar prize. Then, it turns out MacKenzie plans to enter, too. Can Nikki make the transformation from 'social challenged ART DORK' to 'socially charmed ART DIVA?' Read her diary to find out.

Awards won: 2010 Children's Choice Book Award

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/4/2010

ISBN-10: 1416980067

ISBN-13: 9781416980063

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A family that lives in New York City goes on vacation and meets their long-lost cousins. Peter (the big brother) tells this out-of-control story from his heart. Fudge (the little brother) is crazy for money! If you like this one, take a look at other books starring Fudge- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge, and Fudge-a-mania.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/6/2009

ISBN-10: 0525469265

ISBN-13: 9780525469261

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A girl is sent to live with an aunt she's never met before and finds out some deep deep secrets about things that happened before she was born.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 10/22/2009

ISBN-10: 0689873794

ISBN-13: 9780689873799

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Zoe's devastated to be leaving her home and her best friend. A new family is moving into her house, and Zoe has to say goodbye to the place she calls her 'dreamroom,' the one place she can be alone to draw. Her family takes off on a trip in their van, traveling from town to town until her parents find work. When her parents find jobs, however, they won't have enough money for rent until they've been working for a while. So the family lives in the van, where Zoe has no privacy. Keeping the secret that her family is homeless isn't easy. A police car keeps following Zoe around, and Zoe's friend Aliya is getting upset that Zoe never invites Aliya to her house. Can Zoe keep her big secret until her family finds a place to live? Will Zoe ever find a place that feels like home again?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 3/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0689856040

ISBN-13: 9780689856044

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Henry has almost every type of a trophy a kid could win, except for one in doubles tennis. He tries not to get frustrated with Rocky, his doubles partner, but Henry feels helpless when they lose. At the same time, Henry is struggling with his history project with Jazz, a top student. Henry doesn't know how to get what he wants and give his partners what they need at the same time. Can Henry earn an A on his history project and win a trophy with Rocky?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/30/2010

ISBN-10: 1596434899

ISBN-13: 9781596434899

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