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ingo_lembcke's review
4.0
This was a nice cosy read, and not really 4 stars, more like 3.
A hint of romance, no sex, feels a bit too young (the MC is 14 if I remember right).
As I do think some US-authors use the same few swear words over and over again (f*k, s*t, b*h), and not always in context (those who read [book:The Martian|18007564] might know what I mean, worst wrong use of these swear words so far in a book I read) - so kudos, 1 star extra for inventing new, silly swear words. In this context very personal heartwarming for me, as my late father did the same for us kids (my sister and me), only at school did I use (and sometimes learn) the usual bad words.
Recommended as a short, nice feel-good read for a rainy weekend, like eating Mac'n Cheese.
Will certainly read the next book in this series to see how she grows up (she does grow up, doesn't she?).
A hint of romance, no sex, feels a bit too young (the MC is 14 if I remember right).
As I do think some US-authors use the same few swear words over and over again (f*k, s*t, b*h), and not always in context (those who read [book:The Martian|18007564] might know what I mean, worst wrong use of these swear words so far in a book I read) - so kudos, 1 star extra for inventing new, silly swear words. In this context very personal heartwarming for me, as my late father did the same for us kids (my sister and me), only at school did I use (and sometimes learn) the usual bad words.
Recommended as a short, nice feel-good read for a rainy weekend, like eating Mac'n Cheese.
Will certainly read the next book in this series to see how she grows up (she does grow up, doesn't she?).
letsbebookfriends's review
3.0
A cute contemporary for middle grade readers. This book is quite fluffy, but it reminded me of the cruel and confusing world of middle school.
ashvcas's review
challenging
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
celjla212's review
3.0
A quick, cute middle grade read. Rachel Lee is in the 8th grade, but she's got a lot on her mind before even thinking about making the jump to high school. Rachel's parents have split up, and her dad moved down to Florida. So she *may* have borrowed $300 from her college fund to fly down to see her dad. It's no problem as long as she replaces the money before her mom notices...right? The annual school bake sale is coming up, and she cannot lose to that snooty Allison again. And to top it all off, she is now the assistant in her mom's new cleaning business--which includes the houses of the two most popular girls in school. So Rachel begins a "dirt diary" to try to help her keep track of everything that's going on in her mind.
Though the title of the book is "The Dirt Diary", I didn't think the diary itself had that much importance to the story. Rachel used it as a place to list all the secrets she was keeping, and to divulge the weird things she found out about people through cleaning their houses. The diary is really only mentioned a few times, but what I thought would happen with it did not--and that's a good thing, because it made the book less predictable.
Rachel is 13 years old (I guess...I don't think her age was ever explicitly mentioned), but she seems a little naive for her age. And she is awkward, painfully so. I actually cringed at a couple of her scenes when she tried to talk to guys. But, she is fiercely independent, and I definitely admired that about her.
I read through the entire book in almost one sitting and I found it just wrapped up a little too quickly for my tastes. It was as if the entire novel was spent building up to these important moments, and then they are over within half a page. I know I am an older reader, but I would have liked a bit more development in certain parts of the ending.
There were funny parts in the book, as well as sweet ones, and more emotional ones. I think this is a great book for middle grade girls to read, if only to let them know they are not the only awkward ones out there!
Though the title of the book is "The Dirt Diary", I didn't think the diary itself had that much importance to the story. Rachel used it as a place to list all the secrets she was keeping, and to divulge the weird things she found out about people through cleaning their houses. The diary is really only mentioned a few times, but what I thought would happen with it did not--and that's a good thing, because it made the book less predictable.
Rachel is 13 years old (I guess...I don't think her age was ever explicitly mentioned), but she seems a little naive for her age. And she is awkward, painfully so. I actually cringed at a couple of her scenes when she tried to talk to guys. But, she is fiercely independent, and I definitely admired that about her.
I read through the entire book in almost one sitting and I found it just wrapped up a little too quickly for my tastes. It was as if the entire novel was spent building up to these important moments, and then they are over within half a page. I know I am an older reader, but I would have liked a bit more development in certain parts of the ending.
There were funny parts in the book, as well as sweet ones, and more emotional ones. I think this is a great book for middle grade girls to read, if only to let them know they are not the only awkward ones out there!
tasha_bombastic's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
michieknee's review
3.0
Hmm
This was not exactly what I was expecting from the book's summary. The story and characters came off a little too juvenile for being eighth grade/almost high school. Still, it was a decent enough read though I might pass on the sequels.
This was not exactly what I was expecting from the book's summary. The story and characters came off a little too juvenile for being eighth grade/almost high school. Still, it was a decent enough read though I might pass on the sequels.
booksnorkel's review
4.0
This was a fun story about a girl whose parents have split up. Her fun father has moved to Florida, and her serious mother and she are stuck trying to make ends meet. Rachel decides that if she can fly down to Florida she can make her father come back home. The problem is that she’s already bought the plane ticket and hasn’t told her mother yet… with money tight how is she going to pay it off before her mother looks at her college savings account and notices the missing money? Rachel works for minor duckets for her mother’s weekend cleaning business; unfortunately the houses they are cleaning are the house of one of the most popular girls and Rachel’s main tormentor. This book has a pretty good grasp at what it’s like to be a middle school girl. She’s self-conscious and quiet, she doesn’t have a lot of money for all the latest and greatest, and she uses baking to work through her feelings. As an adult you know that her father isn’t responsible and when Rachel finds it out for herself your heart breaks for her. This was a great story that kept me going and reminded me of the Mother Daughter Book Club. For girls fifth grade on up looking for realistic fiction.
droar's review
4.0
I'm actually a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's got typical middle school drama: mean girls, parents divorcing, liking the most popular boy, etc... But it's also fairly funny and honest. Also there is much baking, which I fully approve of.