The Dork Diaries

My son is appalled that I even brought this home, much less plan on reading it.

Dork Diaries

by Rachel Renee Russell (2009)

Ok, I did read it. Well, I read all of the first 100 pages, and most of the last 30 pages, and a good selection of what was in between. And while it is full of silly girl stuff like cute shoes and lip gloss, it's also about friendship, believing in yourself, and not letting yourself be dragged down in all the popularity and gossip stuff around school.

Catherine, Called Birdy

Catherine, Called Birdy

by Karen Cushman (1994)

Very spunky, this Catherine, aka Birdy; she's a poet, an artist, a diarist, a nurse, and a mischievous, troublemaking runaway rebel.  Good book to help show what a child's life was like in other times, as in 13 going on bride and mother. My 5th graders last year were shocked to learn girls were not always, and in some places are still not, allowed to go to school.  Probably more appealing to girls than boys.