Truly Winnie

Winnie Fletcher #2

by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, alissa imre geis (Illustrator)

It’s off to camp for sunny days of rock climbing, cascading down slippery falls, floating in a cool lake?and meeting a fascinating new friend. Winnie can’t remember ever having more fun.

But in the midst of the excitement, Winnie discovers, too, how complicated life can get as she watches one fib tumble mysteriously and rapidly into the next not-so-little lie.

Genres: Fiction, Juvenile, Childrens

105 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Jennifer has spent three decades writing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for children. Amongst her titles are picture books: THIS IS MY ROOM (NO TIGERS ALLOWED) and OH, CHICKADEE!; chapter books: Andy Shane series and Twig and Turtle series; middle grade novels: SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT, PAPER THINGS, THE DOLLAR KIDS, CRASHING IN LOVE; and young adult novels: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF WHY I HATE HER and STAINED. Her awards and honors include ALA Best Books For Young Adults, Publishers Weekly Best Books, NYPL Best Books for Teens, Parents Choice Gold Award, IRA Young Adult’s Choice, ILA Social Justice Award, NTCE Charlotte Huck Honorable Mention, Bank Street Best Books of the Year, and Junior Library Guild Selections as well as many state awards. She lives in mid-coast Maine with her husband.

Reviews

[Laura Driskell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly Winnie is a about a girl who lies to fit in while she is at camp, she must continue to lie to keep up with previous lies. Winnie had lost her mother and doesn’t want to be different from the other girls at the camp. These lies catch up with her when her father arrives for Visitor’s Day. Throughout the summer, Winnie learns lessons that help her become stronger friend. I really enjoyed this quick read because everyone can relate to lying, and the want to fit in. Teaching children that they should not lie to fit in or make friends is a great lesson that all children need to learn. I think this would be a good book for 3-5 grade depending on their reading level. It is great for children to know that other people have the pain and worry of fitting in as well and that lying can’t help. I would have this in my classroom library, but not sure if I would read aloud. Overall, this was a great book that I enjoyed reading.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author, Jennifer Jacobson, was an author in-residence at our school this year. She autographed a copy of this book for us. I read it as a read-aloud.

Her lessons to us were about 6 Traits writing. She shared some of her writing to highlight those traits. Overall, the book keeps true to those traits.

The story is a fun tale about Winnie, Vanessa, and Zoe going away to camp. Winnie is assigned to a different tent. In her desire to fit in, she finds herself lying to impress her new friends. Lies catch up and Winnie finds herself in a world of trouble when her father arrives for Visitors' Day.

I stopped reading right as Cookie asks Mr. Fletcher about his famous artist wife. I had the students write the rest of the scene. The children were excited with this writing assignment.
***
7 April 2009
16 April 2010

[Abbey Pace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows how life can be for a young girl who has recently lost her mother. Away at summer camp, Winnie doesn't want to be different from the other girls and ends up saying things that soon escalates into a big pile of lies and secrets that she has to keep up with. The lies end up controlling her every thought and move that she made and she wasn't able to enjoy camp like she wanted to. Throughout the story, Winnie learns some valuable lessons in life and at the end becomes a stronger young girl and also a stronger friend. I would recommend young girls to read this book because I think that each one will be able to identify with something in the book. "Everyone feels unlucky every now and then," is a great quote from the book that really opens the readers eyes. It's nice knowing that you're not alone in the pain that you feel, and that everyone struggles with something in life.

[Sherry Scheline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book because my grandmother’s 👵🏼 name was Winnie. She was perfect. Winnie in the story struggles with making new friends, the truth and other things that come with being a young girl who has lost her mother. Quick and easy read.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally don’t read series out of order (I didn’t realize this was a series until I had started it, and oh how I wish I had read in order!). I also don’t read that many early readers, but I’m glad I read this one. Truly Winnie is adorable. When nine-year-old Winnie heads off to summer camp with her two best friends, she’s disappointed to find she’s in a separate cabin from them.

The plot is cute, but what makes this story sing is its depiction of summer camp. I can see young readers loving the setting and, upon finishing, turning to their parents and asking: When can I go to camp? Recommended.

[Cynthia Bower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of girl at camp who tells a lie that her mother is still alive as she meets new friends. She has to tell a lot more lies and almost lose her long time friends before she tries to right her mistakes. The camp activities are fun and keep the story moving. It brings fun memories to mind as well as helping us feel that being our "real" self is best.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was a great book because it showed how much friendship is important.it shows that even thogh you want to be friends with someone ellse your frieds will stick up for you.dont care what other people think

[Mary Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winnie, Vanessa and Zoe go to camp for two weeks. This is a good story about the complexity of telling a lie. Written for second-fourth graders, the characters are clear. The girls live in tents on platforms. The counselors don't seem to share the tents but they are present.

[Alayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

dont lie id its something un realistic and something serious

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I learned that you should never leave anyone out and all ways making them feel welcome. and you should always be friends with all.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love camp and I can't wait till summer

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Amy Schoneman]

This is a great story for a younger audience. The plot is one that younger children can really relate to and understand.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for a girl who may be going to overnight camp this summer

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely read with my daughter who is ten. Great friendship issues and filmmaking peace with who you are. Good for upper elementary.