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The Ellie McDoodle Diaries #1
The Ellie McDoodle Diaries 2: Have Pen, Will Travel
One girl. One sketchbook. One week with the world's most annoying relatives.
When Ellie McDougal's parents go out of town, she's forced to go on a camping trip with her aunt, uncle, cousins, and baby brother, Ben-Ben. Ellie can handle mosquitos and poison ivy, but sharing a cabin with her crazy relatives? No way! From her aunt's many rules to her cousin Eric's constant teasing, Ellie needs her sketchbook to survive this family vacation!
When Ellie McDougal's parents go out of town, she's forced to go on a camping trip with her aunt, uncle, cousins, and baby brother, Ben-Ben. Ellie can handle mosquitos and poison ivy, but sharing a cabin with her crazy relatives? No way! From her aunt's many rules to her cousin Eric's constant teasing, Ellie needs her sketchbook to survive this family vacation!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2007
21 people are currently reading
931 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 13, 2008
An Important Business Man runs into another Important Business Man on Wall Street:
I.B.M. 1: So, have you heard about the story/illustration merger?
I.B.M. 2: Yes, yes, but that’s only affecting teens.
IBM 1: Well that’s true, male teenagers have been reaping big rewards. But it’s having trickle-down effects to younger children as well.
IBM 2: Ha! Look, the next thing you’re going to be telling me is that girls will be seeing some benefits. Man, are you out of touch or what?
IBM 1: Well then let me show you (hands over a copy of “Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen Will Travel”). The evidence is right here. The merger has been very successful. It’s about a girl who is forced to go camping with relatives she doesn’t like. The book itself is the sketchbook that she brought on her trip. It’s amazing, she documents everything that happened.
IBM 2: Alright, some kid’s drawings. How is this a book?
IBM 1: The story is in there too. It’s sort of like a cross between a sketchbook and a diary. Over the course of seven days, Ellie gets to know these people that she had judged as being weird. You ever meet someone you didn’t think you’d get along with and end up becoming friends? Ellie goes through that in this book.
IBM 2: So there’s some stuff in there about being open-minded and giving people a chance?
IBM 1: Yep. There’s a lot of humor too. If you’ve even been camping you know there’s a lot of situations to draw from.
IBM 2: What’s camping? It that like when you have to go to your second choice restaurant?
IBM 1: Uh, no. I’m sure you’ve seen it: tents, forests, campfires. Although in “Have Pen, Will Travel” Ellie and her relatives do “fake camping”, as she calls it - they stay in a cabin. Look, you’re a friend, so I’m going to let you in on this. I just bought 1000 shares of Graphic Novels for Upper Elementary Girls, and I suggest you do the same.
IBM 2: Well that stock has been on the rise lately, especially when the “Babymouse” IPO went public. I may just take your advice.
IBM 1: (iPhone rings) Well, I have to take this call. Back to work!
IBM 2: (Putting book in briefcase) Is it okay if I borrow this book? I think my daughter might be interested.
IBM 1: (Cracking a sly grin) Not a problem.
I.B.M. 1: So, have you heard about the story/illustration merger?
I.B.M. 2: Yes, yes, but that’s only affecting teens.
IBM 1: Well that’s true, male teenagers have been reaping big rewards. But it’s having trickle-down effects to younger children as well.
IBM 2: Ha! Look, the next thing you’re going to be telling me is that girls will be seeing some benefits. Man, are you out of touch or what?
IBM 1: Well then let me show you (hands over a copy of “Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen Will Travel”). The evidence is right here. The merger has been very successful. It’s about a girl who is forced to go camping with relatives she doesn’t like. The book itself is the sketchbook that she brought on her trip. It’s amazing, she documents everything that happened.
IBM 2: Alright, some kid’s drawings. How is this a book?
IBM 1: The story is in there too. It’s sort of like a cross between a sketchbook and a diary. Over the course of seven days, Ellie gets to know these people that she had judged as being weird. You ever meet someone you didn’t think you’d get along with and end up becoming friends? Ellie goes through that in this book.
IBM 2: So there’s some stuff in there about being open-minded and giving people a chance?
IBM 1: Yep. There’s a lot of humor too. If you’ve even been camping you know there’s a lot of situations to draw from.
IBM 2: What’s camping? It that like when you have to go to your second choice restaurant?
IBM 1: Uh, no. I’m sure you’ve seen it: tents, forests, campfires. Although in “Have Pen, Will Travel” Ellie and her relatives do “fake camping”, as she calls it - they stay in a cabin. Look, you’re a friend, so I’m going to let you in on this. I just bought 1000 shares of Graphic Novels for Upper Elementary Girls, and I suggest you do the same.
IBM 2: Well that stock has been on the rise lately, especially when the “Babymouse” IPO went public. I may just take your advice.
IBM 1: (iPhone rings) Well, I have to take this call. Back to work!
IBM 2: (Putting book in briefcase) Is it okay if I borrow this book? I think my daughter might be interested.
IBM 1: (Cracking a sly grin) Not a problem.
September 11, 2018
This story is universal. Not just a girls book! Better than the wimpy kid books in my opinion.
June 13, 2009
This is the graphic novel evolved into the art form it was meant to be: character-driven, funny and even educational. (I loved Ellie's drawings and descriptions of their camping games and activities.) Of course, we know girls are more accepting, democratic readers than boys, but -- for a time -- it seemed as though graphic novels were aimed only at boys. Ruth Barshaw has created a series that will draw girls to the genre and hook them for good... on good books!
July 4, 2025
amo voce ellie😞
April 21, 2008
This could be touted as a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid for Girls." And although it doesn't contain near the humor Wimpy Kid does, I predict this book will be quite popular in my library, simply for its style. It basically looks just like Greg Heffley's journal, but this one is about a girl, Ellie McDougal (Ellie McDoodle to her friends, who know she loves to draw).
When her parents have to leave town to attend a distant family funeral, Ellie and her little brother, Ben-Ben, are forced to go on a camping trip with her Aunt Mug (who is in a perpetual bad mood and spits when she talks), her booooring Uncle Ewing, and three annoying cousins. Her only salvation? A brand new journal, which she fills with drawings galore and a running narrative of the camping trip.
Like I said, this isn't as funny as Wimpy Kid (which I didn't really like because I thought Greg was completely self-centered and obnoxious, but kids think is hysterical), but I like Ellie, and that makes all the difference. She's bright, imaginative, and resourceful. Yes, she whines a lot in the journal, but who among us hasn't been there: thrust into a situation in which we don't want to be and from which we cannot escape, with people whom we cannot stand. That's one big bummer.
But Ellie still tries to have fun. Granted, she does it expecting the worst, but she still does it. She teaches her family members and fellow campers new games (Human Pretzel is really fun to play, by the way; it can be hard, but lots of laughs), sings songs, and catches frogs at the mucky pond.
When creepy cousin Eric (or Er-ick, as Ellie calls him) steals her journal and reads it, then passes it along to his mother, Ellie is overwhelmed with guilt for the insulting things it contains. She determines to try to make amends, and darned if things don't get better. Her horrid family isn't quite as horrid as she thought, apparently.
While they may not fall over laughing at Ellie McDoodle (as some parents have told me their children have done at Wimpy Kid), they'll like her enough to finish the book and ask if there's a sequel.
When her parents have to leave town to attend a distant family funeral, Ellie and her little brother, Ben-Ben, are forced to go on a camping trip with her Aunt Mug (who is in a perpetual bad mood and spits when she talks), her booooring Uncle Ewing, and three annoying cousins. Her only salvation? A brand new journal, which she fills with drawings galore and a running narrative of the camping trip.
Like I said, this isn't as funny as Wimpy Kid (which I didn't really like because I thought Greg was completely self-centered and obnoxious, but kids think is hysterical), but I like Ellie, and that makes all the difference. She's bright, imaginative, and resourceful. Yes, she whines a lot in the journal, but who among us hasn't been there: thrust into a situation in which we don't want to be and from which we cannot escape, with people whom we cannot stand. That's one big bummer.
But Ellie still tries to have fun. Granted, she does it expecting the worst, but she still does it. She teaches her family members and fellow campers new games (Human Pretzel is really fun to play, by the way; it can be hard, but lots of laughs), sings songs, and catches frogs at the mucky pond.
When creepy cousin Eric (or Er-ick, as Ellie calls him) steals her journal and reads it, then passes it along to his mother, Ellie is overwhelmed with guilt for the insulting things it contains. She determines to try to make amends, and darned if things don't get better. Her horrid family isn't quite as horrid as she thought, apparently.
While they may not fall over laughing at Ellie McDoodle (as some parents have told me their children have done at Wimpy Kid), they'll like her enough to finish the book and ask if there's a sequel.
July 5, 2018
This book is sort of similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries in that it is a journal with drawings, telling a story from the perspective of a child. However, the character in this book is younger and the social issues involved are less middle-school-ish. This is a book I would definitely want to add to my 3rd or 4th grade classroom library. I think kids would really enjoy reading it. It is a very quick and easy read, with pictures illustrating a lot of the action, and would be a good one for some reluctant readers.
The story is about a girl who goes camping with her cousins, aunt and uncle. She isn't too happy about it and records that unhappiness in her journal. Some of the basic plot is pretty predictable, but the adventures along the way or not, and the story is told with humor and spirit.
The story is about a girl who goes camping with her cousins, aunt and uncle. She isn't too happy about it and records that unhappiness in her journal. Some of the basic plot is pretty predictable, but the adventures along the way or not, and the story is told with humor and spirit.
September 1, 2017
I got a copy of this book signed for my 7 year old at Midwest Writers Workshop 2017. The author was super nice and you can tell she loves what she does. Now, my son's review of this book.
3 words. Oh. My. GOSH! It's sooooo good! My mom needs to get all the rest of them from the library like yesterday. I loved this book!
3 words. Oh. My. GOSH! It's sooooo good! My mom needs to get all the rest of them from the library like yesterday. I loved this book!
January 22, 2023
A fun book to read for older elementary kids. My daughter, who was in the second grade at the time, enjoyed me reading it to her as well. The doodles are great and the book can definitely be used as a starter for getting children to keep their own journals!
November 29, 2017
Ellie is going camping with her uncle and aunt and their kids, how bad could a week be?
Well, if you are Ellie Complainelly then it is a terrible terrible terrible week. Yep. My first Boekenfestijn boek and it isn't a good one. I liked Ellie in the first pages, but then her complaining hit off and well, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I would if Ellie would have stopped whining/complaining/acting all superior in time. Not at the end of the book. Because by then I was just already so over her attitude.
I get that going out with family is poopy, but do you need to treat them like this? Even drawing one of them as a monster? Even calling them names? She constantly was being a grump towards them, no matter what they tried or did. Oh no, I can't have my favourite food, oh no I have to sleep with those annoying nephews/nieces, oh no I have to go to a fun museum, oh no *insert something else*.
I did like it when she met that boy, though I wish that was expanded a bit more. Those parts were like a breath of fresh air to me, finally something good, and we finally saw an Ellie I quite liked. I also would have loved to see what happened when she got home. Did she call him? Was it the right number? Where they close to each other? Or did they live very far apart?
I also don't get why she took her journal with her EVERYWHERE. Swimming, Check. Catching frogs, Check. Playing games with family, Check. Sure, not to the shower, but I think if she could have done that she would have. I get that she doesn't want to leave it behind, but really, I just found it terribly rude that she kept drawing all the time.
I didn't approve of her aunt reading the journal. Really, you find your son reading it, and then continue reading it as well? Wow, good example you are setting there. I do so hope that when I have a daughter/niece that I respect her privacy and not read her stuff if she doesn't want me to. *sighs*
Of course it magically set ground to a nice chat between them, which instead of making me go awww, made me go urgh, as I still wasn't approving of her reading the journal.
What did I like? Well, when we finally saw Eric instead of the dumb monster, the art was really nice and terrific (I do love a cartoony style + I love how well Ellie (or the illustrator) could draw animals), I liked seeing the camping adventures (minus all the poopy attitude, just ignore those and it is a really fun trip). The games were pretty OK too, though some were a bit weird. :P So I am rating this book 2 stars because there were still elements I did enjoy.
And I will also be reading the second book in the hopes that it gets better. I do hope that Ellie has learned from this adventure. Don't judge too much, give people a chance, less superiority is nice, and if you need help/feel unhappy talk to someone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Well, if you are Ellie Complainelly then it is a terrible terrible terrible week. Yep. My first Boekenfestijn boek and it isn't a good one. I liked Ellie in the first pages, but then her complaining hit off and well, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I would if Ellie would have stopped whining/complaining/acting all superior in time. Not at the end of the book. Because by then I was just already so over her attitude.
I get that going out with family is poopy, but do you need to treat them like this? Even drawing one of them as a monster? Even calling them names? She constantly was being a grump towards them, no matter what they tried or did. Oh no, I can't have my favourite food, oh no I have to sleep with those annoying nephews/nieces, oh no I have to go to a fun museum, oh no *insert something else*.
I did like it when she met that boy, though I wish that was expanded a bit more. Those parts were like a breath of fresh air to me, finally something good, and we finally saw an Ellie I quite liked. I also would have loved to see what happened when she got home. Did she call him? Was it the right number? Where they close to each other? Or did they live very far apart?
I also don't get why she took her journal with her EVERYWHERE. Swimming, Check. Catching frogs, Check. Playing games with family, Check. Sure, not to the shower, but I think if she could have done that she would have. I get that she doesn't want to leave it behind, but really, I just found it terribly rude that she kept drawing all the time.
I didn't approve of her aunt reading the journal. Really, you find your son reading it, and then continue reading it as well? Wow, good example you are setting there. I do so hope that when I have a daughter/niece that I respect her privacy and not read her stuff if she doesn't want me to. *sighs*
Of course it magically set ground to a nice chat between them, which instead of making me go awww, made me go urgh, as I still wasn't approving of her reading the journal.
What did I like? Well, when we finally saw Eric instead of the dumb monster, the art was really nice and terrific (I do love a cartoony style + I love how well Ellie (or the illustrator) could draw animals), I liked seeing the camping adventures (minus all the poopy attitude, just ignore those and it is a really fun trip). The games were pretty OK too, though some were a bit weird. :P So I am rating this book 2 stars because there were still elements I did enjoy.
And I will also be reading the second book in the hopes that it gets better. I do hope that Ellie has learned from this adventure. Don't judge too much, give people a chance, less superiority is nice, and if you need help/feel unhappy talk to someone.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Read
June 28, 2017THE ELLIE MCDOODLE DIARIES originally began in 2007. Having recently read HAVE PEN, WILL TRAVEL, I will now be suggesting the series for young girls looking for their own Wimpy Kid style reading experience. Author Ruth McNally Barshaw has created a dynamic female character that will inspire girls everywhere.
Due to the death of an elderly uncle of her father's, Ellie finds herself embarking on a camping adventure with her cousins. Everything about the impending week with her Aunt Mug, who spits when she talks, her Uncle Ewing, whose neck turns red when he's mad, and her three cousins promises to be the worst experience in her young life.
Arriving at the camping site, Ellie immediately discovers that this family doesn't do "camping" the way it was intended. Where are the tents and campfires and yummy, toasted marshmallows? Instead, she finds that everyone will be crammed together in a tiny cabin. How will she ever survive?
Ellie's passion for writing and drawing help her make some sense of this tragic week. She chronicles her adventures as she spies on her relatives and reluctantly participates in their crazy family antics. As she records events in her sketch diary, she begins to realize that some of the activities are kind of fun, and some of the people she is forced to be with have personalities she can sort of appreciate.
Readers of Ellie's vacation journal will find laugh-out-loud word play and unique visual representations of Ellie's week with a family she soon comes to know and love. Ruth McNally Barshaw will be part of an author panel at Siena Heights University's Celebration of Children's Literature on September 21, 2017.
Due to the death of an elderly uncle of her father's, Ellie finds herself embarking on a camping adventure with her cousins. Everything about the impending week with her Aunt Mug, who spits when she talks, her Uncle Ewing, whose neck turns red when he's mad, and her three cousins promises to be the worst experience in her young life.
Arriving at the camping site, Ellie immediately discovers that this family doesn't do "camping" the way it was intended. Where are the tents and campfires and yummy, toasted marshmallows? Instead, she finds that everyone will be crammed together in a tiny cabin. How will she ever survive?
Ellie's passion for writing and drawing help her make some sense of this tragic week. She chronicles her adventures as she spies on her relatives and reluctantly participates in their crazy family antics. As she records events in her sketch diary, she begins to realize that some of the activities are kind of fun, and some of the people she is forced to be with have personalities she can sort of appreciate.
Readers of Ellie's vacation journal will find laugh-out-loud word play and unique visual representations of Ellie's week with a family she soon comes to know and love. Ruth McNally Barshaw will be part of an author panel at Siena Heights University's Celebration of Children's Literature on September 21, 2017.
July 17, 2020
My friend recommended this book to me as a fun and light read.
Overall, it was what my friend had said it would be: a fun and light read, but there were a few things that the book was lacking in my opinion. Since this book is supposed to be Ellie’s journal, it sort of lacked a good story line. I grew up reading similar illustration and reading hybrid books like Dork Diaries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez, and all three of these series has much more of a story line that you can follow. I think the Ellie McDoodle series would be good for younger kids or people who like more illustrations in their books. I would recommend The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez as a good illustration reading hybrid book, too. I think the CLoCCC has more interesting plot lines and feels more like a diary than a note journal.
However, this book was really cute, and I did find myself relating to many of the characters. All the characters acted the age they are supposed to be, so I really admired that.
I recommend this book to people who want an easy and fun read.
Overall, it was what my friend had said it would be: a fun and light read, but there were a few things that the book was lacking in my opinion. Since this book is supposed to be Ellie’s journal, it sort of lacked a good story line. I grew up reading similar illustration and reading hybrid books like Dork Diaries, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez, and all three of these series has much more of a story line that you can follow. I think the Ellie McDoodle series would be good for younger kids or people who like more illustrations in their books. I would recommend The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez as a good illustration reading hybrid book, too. I think the CLoCCC has more interesting plot lines and feels more like a diary than a note journal.
However, this book was really cute, and I did find myself relating to many of the characters. All the characters acted the age they are supposed to be, so I really admired that.
I recommend this book to people who want an easy and fun read.
June 19, 2018
This is a very well graphic novel/illustrated novel for girls. Ellie is stuck with her horrid aunt and their horrid children for a week while her parents go to an out-of-state funeral. And, as that isn't bad enough, the next week will be spent camping. Ellie is a very talented young artist and she works out her frustration with life in her sketch book. But the things she says and draws in her sketch book would be toxic to the people she puts in it so she has to guard the book day and night.
The depicting of her boy cousin, Er-icK, as a horrible green monster with his beloved fedora hat is very funny. Every one of her cousins and her baby brother have very annoying habits, but don't we all. Ellie finds that each of her cousins does have at least one good quality and she and her annoying aunt have a connection.
The story is well done and the drawings are excellent. A fun, quick to read book that has positive views on the family.
The depicting of her boy cousin, Er-icK, as a horrible green monster with his beloved fedora hat is very funny. Every one of her cousins and her baby brother have very annoying habits, but don't we all. Ellie finds that each of her cousins does have at least one good quality and she and her annoying aunt have a connection.
The story is well done and the drawings are excellent. A fun, quick to read book that has positive views on the family.
June 26, 2024
2.5 stars. Meh, this book was okay. This is about a girl who has to stay and go camping with her cousins for a week. She doesn't like her cousins or her aunt and uncle so she's dreading it. She's keeping a diary to "spy" on people throughout the week. Of course, there is a little character growth as she and her cousins get into trouble in the woods and have to band together to save themselves, realizing they're not all that bad, but she was so bratty and rude for most of the book I didn't love it. I think her attitude was pretty common and not unrealistic, but it was definitely not kind and I wouldn't love my 6 year old reading this.
July 19, 2019
Ellie’s parents are travelling to a funeral and leaving her with her Aunt, Uncle and cousins. She doesn’t like any of them and the last thing that appeals to her is pretend camping in a cabin where everyone will be much too close for comfort. Ellie doodles in her diary, drawing pictures of her cousins and generally being very unflattering in her comments. There are highlights to the trip and in the end, when the cousins get lost and have to work together, it turns out they aren’t so bad after all. This was a fun read, with some nice little tips and friendly advice along the way.
September 7, 2019
Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel is just as good as I remembered it! Smart, funny, realistic, and earnest. Ellie is such a relatable character, and her adventures are so fun to read about. The art is great. Onward with the series!
October 13, 2017
ellie mcdoodle is a hilarious girl with crazy family. I can't wait to read the second one!
January 21, 2018
Ellie McDoodle is a pre-teen journal diarist stuck on a long camping trip with some annoying cousins and an aunt who spit talks in this cute, illustrated novel about family relationships.
September 24, 2018
not my favorite but not bad. Quick read. Good background book.
December 4, 2018
not that good
Read
June 14, 2021Awesom
Read
January 15, 2022nossa eu era apaixonada por esse livro mais nova, ainda tenho um volume aqui em casa
October 21, 2022
Achei fofo.
Meio bobo, deve ser pq é de "criança".
Meio bobo, deve ser pq é de "criança".
January 23, 2023
A delightful mix of a sketch book, journal and graphic novel! Planning on reading to 1st graders who just received their first journals from me.
October 8, 2019
I love this book it is so funny and I love how they came up with for this book seaweed sally. and how they all caught friends. and I think Ruth Mary Barshaw is a cool author
November 10, 2007
How would you go about defining the word "torture"? If you were Ellie McDougal (McDoodle, to those in the know) you might define it as, "a family vacation with your monkey-boy little brother, annoying cousins, and boring aunt and uncle in the woods of Higgins Lake." Which, of course, is exactly what Ellie has been subjected to. Stuck with intolerable relatives, she decides to make the most of her ordeal by recording everything in her sketchbook (the one you, the reader, are reading) and getting some time away from the craziness. Of course, a series of incidents shows Ellie that maybe her extended family isn't the crew of monsters she thought they were. Maybe, in fact, they can all be a lot of fun and the summer isn't totally ruined after all. Maybe.
So what is this book exactly? I mean, on the outset it looks like a sketchbook with sentences in between the pictures. Obviously there are a lot more written sections than drawn sections, but the pictures are pretty steady throughout. So how do you categorize this book? It's not a graphic novel, since the pictures are sporadic and pop up only at random intervals. It's not a comic book either, nor is it a straight written novel. At this point in time, the only option left is the phrase, "illustrated novel". It's not perfect, but it's the only thing I've found to describe Barshaw's style. Plus it's a style, moreover, that I think is going to inspire a whole generation of kids. I can picture young 'uns bugging their parents to buy them sketchbooks and blank pages, just so that they can create highly illustrated personal diaries like Ellie/Ruth. Heck, while reading this I myself wished I knew how to draw, just so that I could jazz up my own life with pictures galore. And I know I can't be alone.
And man, did I like it. First of all, there were the obvious Michigan connections that drew me in. Using your hand to describe where you live in the state (complete with an image of a bunny jumping a mitten, in terms of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas). A kid from Kalamazoo (woo-hoo, hometown!). Visiting with other kids and finding that you don't like their cereals. Man, did that ring some bells! Ms. Barshaw has an almost eerie ability to either remember or channel instances from a kid's daily life that are all but forgotten by adults. Plus she just hits characters dead on. The "villains" at the beginning successfully become real three-dimensional people by the story's end. The sketches are great fun, and then there are some great ideas for games. Ms. Barshaw knows that you have to break up your narrative sometimes with an interesting little sidenote here and there. In this case, the sidenotes are games complete with instructions for Human Pretzel, Spoons (something I'd like to try out), Sardines, and others.
Part Harriet the Spy, and part Amelia's Notebook, "Ellie McDoodle" is just one of those books you can't help but enjoy. It flies low on the radar, so I suggest discovering it for yourself. There's never been a better time to indulge in a book that can offer you cool pictures, great characters, a fun story, and a little redemption on the side. A small pure gem.
So what is this book exactly? I mean, on the outset it looks like a sketchbook with sentences in between the pictures. Obviously there are a lot more written sections than drawn sections, but the pictures are pretty steady throughout. So how do you categorize this book? It's not a graphic novel, since the pictures are sporadic and pop up only at random intervals. It's not a comic book either, nor is it a straight written novel. At this point in time, the only option left is the phrase, "illustrated novel". It's not perfect, but it's the only thing I've found to describe Barshaw's style. Plus it's a style, moreover, that I think is going to inspire a whole generation of kids. I can picture young 'uns bugging their parents to buy them sketchbooks and blank pages, just so that they can create highly illustrated personal diaries like Ellie/Ruth. Heck, while reading this I myself wished I knew how to draw, just so that I could jazz up my own life with pictures galore. And I know I can't be alone.
And man, did I like it. First of all, there were the obvious Michigan connections that drew me in. Using your hand to describe where you live in the state (complete with an image of a bunny jumping a mitten, in terms of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas). A kid from Kalamazoo (woo-hoo, hometown!). Visiting with other kids and finding that you don't like their cereals. Man, did that ring some bells! Ms. Barshaw has an almost eerie ability to either remember or channel instances from a kid's daily life that are all but forgotten by adults. Plus she just hits characters dead on. The "villains" at the beginning successfully become real three-dimensional people by the story's end. The sketches are great fun, and then there are some great ideas for games. Ms. Barshaw knows that you have to break up your narrative sometimes with an interesting little sidenote here and there. In this case, the sidenotes are games complete with instructions for Human Pretzel, Spoons (something I'd like to try out), Sardines, and others.
Part Harriet the Spy, and part Amelia's Notebook, "Ellie McDoodle" is just one of those books you can't help but enjoy. It flies low on the radar, so I suggest discovering it for yourself. There's never been a better time to indulge in a book that can offer you cool pictures, great characters, a fun story, and a little redemption on the side. A small pure gem.
October 14, 2019
Ellie goes on an adventure with her cousins that are a little crazy. Her cousins anoy her. They get lost in the woods, but in the end, they become very nice towards each other.
June 1, 2015
Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel
Ruth McNally Barshaw
Bloomsbury USA, 2007
Summary: When Ellie’s parents unexpectedly go out of town, they leave her in the care of her aunt and uncle. Ellie is less than excited about this prospect, and is even less excited when she learns that she is going to be dragged on her aunt and uncle’s family camping trip with her four cousins. Things get off to a rocky start, especially between Ellie and her cousin Eric (referred to in-text as “Er-ick”). There’s a lot of infighting, immaturity, and insults slung back and forth between Ellie and the cousins. However, after some mishaps involving frogs, supposedly haunted lakes, and nature walks gone awry, Ellie and her cousins learn to find more common ground than they thought existed between them. The book ends with a list of ‘What She’s Learned,’ essentially wrapping up the moral of the story.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction.
Content Warnings: Disobedience, squabbling/fighting.
My Opinion: This book really brought me back to my childhood. I was just like Ellie when I was a kid – I carried a little notebook around with me everywhere, in which I would jot down random things I found interesting or stupid or amusing, usually with a goofy doodle or two to accompany it. I smiled a little in remembrance of that, especially in doodles depicting her with her notebook sticking out of her back pocket or awkwardly shoved in her shirt. Also, this book (it’s apparently a series, so this series I should say) reminded me a lot of the “Amelia’s Notebook” series that the American Girl company published when I was little. I’d always loved the Amelia’s Notebook stories, so I enjoyed finding a similar substitute. However, I found Ellie to be grating at times and I sympathized more with the family she was odds with than I did with her. If I didn’t have the nostalgia factor when reading this, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it very much.
Ruth McNally Barshaw
Bloomsbury USA, 2007
Summary: When Ellie’s parents unexpectedly go out of town, they leave her in the care of her aunt and uncle. Ellie is less than excited about this prospect, and is even less excited when she learns that she is going to be dragged on her aunt and uncle’s family camping trip with her four cousins. Things get off to a rocky start, especially between Ellie and her cousin Eric (referred to in-text as “Er-ick”). There’s a lot of infighting, immaturity, and insults slung back and forth between Ellie and the cousins. However, after some mishaps involving frogs, supposedly haunted lakes, and nature walks gone awry, Ellie and her cousins learn to find more common ground than they thought existed between them. The book ends with a list of ‘What She’s Learned,’ essentially wrapping up the moral of the story.
Genre: Contemporary Fiction.
Content Warnings: Disobedience, squabbling/fighting.
My Opinion: This book really brought me back to my childhood. I was just like Ellie when I was a kid – I carried a little notebook around with me everywhere, in which I would jot down random things I found interesting or stupid or amusing, usually with a goofy doodle or two to accompany it. I smiled a little in remembrance of that, especially in doodles depicting her with her notebook sticking out of her back pocket or awkwardly shoved in her shirt. Also, this book (it’s apparently a series, so this series I should say) reminded me a lot of the “Amelia’s Notebook” series that the American Girl company published when I was little. I’d always loved the Amelia’s Notebook stories, so I enjoyed finding a similar substitute. However, I found Ellie to be grating at times and I sympathized more with the family she was odds with than I did with her. If I didn’t have the nostalgia factor when reading this, I don’t think I would have enjoyed it very much.
November 5, 2012
Reviewed by Bri P. for TeensReadToo.com
It's camping time for Ellie McDougal but she's not happy about it. Ellie's parents have to go out of town, so she and her baby brother, Ben-Ben, will be going with their Aunt Ug, Uncle Ewing, and cousins Erick, Deanna, and Tiffie. All of the camping supplies are packed and ready to go, including Ellie's sketchbook. Will the trip be as bad as Ellie is afraid it will be?
Through the pages of Ellie's sketchbook, she tells the story of her camping trip. She meets a 13-year-old boy by the name of Scott. He is one interesting character, as he speaks French, Japanese, and English. He wants to learn to draw, which is something that Ellie can help him with. He has to leave but never tells Ellie that he is leaving Campsite 137. She is saddened by her friend leaving. Her opinions of her relatives change throughout the book. In the beginning, she thinks of Erick as being a dinosaur but that changes as it goes along. Erick also collects frogs and thinks he has found the best frog, but holds him too tight -- Oh, no!
The illustrations are very cute and add meaning to the story. The characters you meet in this book are very unusual. The storyline keeps young readers interested. This is a must read for children ages 9-12 who would love to be entertained with a good story and a very easy read. With fewer words and many pictures on each page than most books for this age group, this is a delight. Pack up your bags and get ready for a camping adventure with Ellie along -- it's bound to be a great time! I hope that there are more exciting adventures of ELLIE MCDOODLE books in the future.
It's camping time for Ellie McDougal but she's not happy about it. Ellie's parents have to go out of town, so she and her baby brother, Ben-Ben, will be going with their Aunt Ug, Uncle Ewing, and cousins Erick, Deanna, and Tiffie. All of the camping supplies are packed and ready to go, including Ellie's sketchbook. Will the trip be as bad as Ellie is afraid it will be?
Through the pages of Ellie's sketchbook, she tells the story of her camping trip. She meets a 13-year-old boy by the name of Scott. He is one interesting character, as he speaks French, Japanese, and English. He wants to learn to draw, which is something that Ellie can help him with. He has to leave but never tells Ellie that he is leaving Campsite 137. She is saddened by her friend leaving. Her opinions of her relatives change throughout the book. In the beginning, she thinks of Erick as being a dinosaur but that changes as it goes along. Erick also collects frogs and thinks he has found the best frog, but holds him too tight -- Oh, no!
The illustrations are very cute and add meaning to the story. The characters you meet in this book are very unusual. The storyline keeps young readers interested. This is a must read for children ages 9-12 who would love to be entertained with a good story and a very easy read. With fewer words and many pictures on each page than most books for this age group, this is a delight. Pack up your bags and get ready for a camping adventure with Ellie along -- it's bound to be a great time! I hope that there are more exciting adventures of ELLIE MCDOODLE books in the future.
August 31, 2011
Ellie's parents have to go to a funeral, which means Ellie's stuck with her aunt, uncle, three cousins AND her baby brother for a whole week! Not only that, but they're going camping. But not REAL camping, like Ellie's family does. They'll be staying in a cabin, all crammed together. How will Ellie ever survive?
I got this because I thought it was a graphic novel, but it's not actually. It's an illustrated novel, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was really cute though. Ellie has a LOT of opinions, so thank goodness she has a notebook to write to and draw in. Of course, as anyone who has ever read Harriet the Spy could tell you, secret notebooks are bound to get stolen and read by the wrong people, which will get you into trouble. Ellie's cousin Eric, who she draws as a monster in her notebook, finds it, and reads it, and is angry. Her aunt sees it too, and reads all the unflattering things Ellie has said about her aunt, uncle and cousins. This leads to a turning point for Ellie.
I got this because I thought it was a graphic novel, but it's not actually. It's an illustrated novel, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was really cute though. Ellie has a LOT of opinions, so thank goodness she has a notebook to write to and draw in. Of course, as anyone who has ever read Harriet the Spy could tell you, secret notebooks are bound to get stolen and read by the wrong people, which will get you into trouble. Ellie's cousin Eric, who she draws as a monster in her notebook, finds it, and reads it, and is angry. Her aunt sees it too, and reads all the unflattering things Ellie has said about her aunt, uncle and cousins. This leads to a turning point for Ellie.
August 31, 2011
Ellie's parents have to go to a funeral, which means Ellie's stuck with her aunt, uncle, three cousins AND her baby brother for a whole week! Not only that, but they're going camping. But not REAL camping, like Ellie's family does. They'll be staying in a cabin, all crammed together. How will Ellie ever survive?
I got this because I thought it was a graphic novel, but it's not actually. It's an illustrated novel, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was really cute though. Ellie has a LOT of opinions, so thank goodness she has a notebook to write to and draw in. Of course, as anyone who has ever read Harriet the Spy could tell you, secret notebooks are bound to get stolen and read by the wrong people, which will get you into trouble. Ellie's cousin Eric, who she draws as a monster in her notebook, finds it, and reads it, and is angry. Her aunt sees it too, and reads all the unflattering things Ellie has said about her aunt, uncle and cousins. This leads to a turning point for Ellie.
I got this because I thought it was a graphic novel, but it's not actually. It's an illustrated novel, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It was really cute though. Ellie has a LOT of opinions, so thank goodness she has a notebook to write to and draw in. Of course, as anyone who has ever read Harriet the Spy could tell you, secret notebooks are bound to get stolen and read by the wrong people, which will get you into trouble. Ellie's cousin Eric, who she draws as a monster in her notebook, finds it, and reads it, and is angry. Her aunt sees it too, and reads all the unflattering things Ellie has said about her aunt, uncle and cousins. This leads to a turning point for Ellie.
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