Leslie Wolfson (Children's Literature)
Ever heard of a moggie? How about a dag. a texta, or lollies? One of the more fascinating aspects of this middle grade novel is the fact that its characters and its author are from Australia. That means that the reader gets to learn some fun Australian vocabulary and how Australian fifth graders differ from American fifth graders. The book focuses on strong-willed Jillian and how she navigates through the “the slings and arrows” of her fifth grade year. She is forced to keep a daily journal by her teacher, Mrs. Bright. Much to Jillian’s dismay, Mrs. Bright actually reads all her journal entries and does not hesitate to comment on just about anything that Jillian writes. Although Jillian appears to resent Mrs. Bright’s interference, she secretly appreciates her teacher’s interest. Jillian is described on the book jacket as an unpopular dork. In reality, she appears to have plenty of friends, even though most of them are boys. Despite the title of the book, the antics of the “popular” group, The Princesses, are not anything Jillian aspires to. Through written interactions with her teacher, Jillian matures throughout the school year and finds that she and Mrs. Bright have more in common than she originally thought. Readers will appreciate the Aussie glossary at the end. 2006, Charlesbridge, $15.95. Ages 9 to 12.

Robin Slaw (ForeWord Magazine, March/April 2007)
Mrs. Bright says we have to do journal writing EVERY day. Guess what she says? If you want to be a good writer you have to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!" In this delightful first novel, written for ages nine to twelve, readers follow Jillian in her journey through fifth grade by way of the journal her teacher has assigned. Much to Jillian's dismay, Mrs. Bright actually collects, reads, and responds to the journals each weekend. Readers will giggle their way through the journal as Jillian learns to survive "life's slings and arrows." Jillian wants more than anything to be a Princess. But the "Princess" girls won't let her play a game of elastics, because her elastic is homemade from cutoff pieces of her undies and PJs. They prefer Kirrilly's fluoro green elastic from the shop. So Jillian befriends Nigel, who writes acrostic poems about marrying her; Raymond, who thumps her for collecting seed pods instead of running the next base; and Sam, without a mum, who learns to read and do math because of Jillian's help this year. This book is sure to please children who will recognize their own classmates and the misfortunes of daily school life. Green captures the essence of children in all their glory and pathos as they navigate their way through party fiascos, the bumps, bruises, and humiliations of sports, writing character references for a friend caught shoplifting, and a peasant's revolt against the Princesses' self-proclaimed Royal Family during the unit study on forms of government. Mrs. Bright gently guides Jillian with weekly diary responses, using wit to adjure Jillian to loftier ideals and straightforward goals. In response to an entry about personal role models and missing homework, she writes: "I'm not sure whether I'm insulted or flattered about the comparisons to Elizabeth I and Boadecea. But even flattery will not make me believe fairy stories about homework left at home. I was a child once, you know! Queen B." Green is a primary school teacher whose experience informs her writing. She skillfully addresses themes of bullying and acceptance, friendships and personal growth, in a gentle and humorous way. The growth her characters exhibit is refreshing, from loners who alienate classmates at the beginning of the year, to heroes and heroines celebrated by the entire school. When Jillian tries desperately to be a Princess, she finds herself "Nigelized" into Dorkdom instead, as the Princesses mock Jillian about the ubiquitous presence of her new friend and refuse to allow her into their small circle. How will she manage to survive the year? She befriends the bully who teaches her how to play soccer, learns to stand in solidarity with less fortunate souls in her class, and throws the party of the year. In the end, Jillian not only survives her fifth year, she thrives! Charlesbridge Publishing, 240 pages, Hardcover, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 2))
To be popular with the “princesses” in her Australian elementary school is not Jillian’s destiny, especially with King-Nerd Nigel and the rest of the “misfits” tagging along. Then to top it off, her teacher reads her daily journal and makes unexpected suggestions about her writing skills—isn’t a diary private?—and unexpected commentary about her life—is there no end to mortification? To be in the thick of things, Jillian tries to be lovely and smart, and then as the pièce de résistance, organizes a party and invites everyone. When even that isn’t enough, she refocuses her life to help that rag-tag group who’ve become her bosom buds with what she can do—read and write, and infect their life with excitement. In the middle of her efforts, her own writing grows from a stunted ramble to the heartfelt record of her fifth year at Flora Heights Primary School. There she exemplifies to her true friends how to handle being chosen last in sports, and “the slings and arrows” of life, with grace. Green injects plenty of humor and turns Jillian’s diary into a meaningful creative training ground for winning a prestigious speaking competition, as well as a turning point for the future of those less able. The writing is lively and fun, a humorous adventure in growing up among Australian schoolmates, family and friends. A mighty inspiring debut. 2007, Charlesbridge, 240p, $15.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 10 to 12. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2007)
At her teacher's instruction, Jillian keeps a diary documenting the ups and downs of life as an Australian fifth grader. Much to Jillian's dismay, Mrs. Bright collects and reads her diary regularly, but that doesn't stop Jillian from telling it as she sees it. In her first novel, Green has created a believably imperfect, spunky, and likable character. Glos. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2007, Charlesbridge, 236pp, 15.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.