Confessions of a Middle Child

Julep O'Toole #3

by Trudi Trueit

Julep O'Toole, an endearing and hilarious 11-year-old middle child, is invisible. At least, that's what she thinks. Her older sister, Harmony, is Miss Perfect, and her younger brother, Cooper, gets lots of attention because of his asthma and allergies. And Julep is stuck in the middle—hidden. But miracles do happen, and one day, the most popular girl at school invites Julep to a Halloween party. Could it be that someone important finally notices her?! Then a life-or-death situation causes Julep to choose between the girl she wants to be and the person others need her to be. Will Julep get her chance to shine or will she forever be Invisible Girl?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Young Adult

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Trudi Trueit writes the kind of books she loves to read; stories packed with adventure, mystery, friendship, and hope; stories that reminds us to forge our own path and be our own hero! She's published more than 100 fiction and nonfiction titles for kids, including the award-winning EXPLORER ACADEMY series (National Geographic), which was chosen as an Amazon Prime Book Box selection and named one of Barnes and Noble Best Books of the Year for Young Readers. Look for her NEW EXPLORER ACADEMY spinoff series: VELA!

Born and raised in Seattle, WA she lives in the Northwest with her husband and three cats. P.S.: Trudi Trueit IS her real name (by marriage). Visit her website at www.truditrueit.com.

Visit her website at www.truditrueit.

Reviews

[Lorene · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book up thinking that it would be one of those books that is fun for kids and funny for adults. Not so. By then end of the second chapter I was just plain annoyed at the main character and had no desire to ever hear about her ever again. Sorry, Julep.

[Kadyn Dahlke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book summary: In the book Julep O’Toole by Trudi Trueit, Julep O’Toole is an 11 year old middle child and she feels invisible compared to her older sister, Harmony who is perfect in anything she does and her younger brother Cooper who has asthma so he gets all the attention from Julep’s mom and dad. Julep just got the news that she has to switch room with her brother who’s room is so messy and nasty. So she’s forced to switch rooms with her brother and live in the “ Chicken Coop”, what they call Cooper’s room. However, Julep is trying to come up with ways that she doesn’t have to switch with her brother, those plans don’t work at all. Then one rainy day, Cooper drags out her box full of things like her journal and her favorite stuffed animal. Julep can’t believe her eyes when Coopers drops the box and things going flying everywhere in the rain. She can’t find her journal or her stuffed animal. Julep is just praying that Cooper gets in trouble when her parents get home.

My personal opinion: I thought this book was really good because at some points I could relate to it and some points I couldn’t which I found interesting because I’m not a middle child but it did have some younger sibling features which I really liked. I thought this book was funny at some points because I think that my siblings and I can relate so much to this that it’s like reality.

Book recommendation: I would recommend this book to younger people who would really love a laugh once and a while.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Julep was always close" (pg. 77). As in, close but no cigar, *this* close., second place is first loser type of close.
Another cute little book appropriate for older elementary school children. I liked Julep's inner dialogue as the invisible child, the transparent daughter. As a middle child myself I recognized that feeling. As an adult and teacher I tend to think most children believe they are invisible to adults, it is just a part of figuring out how we fit in this world.
Some predictable gimmicks to prop up the story, nonetheless I enjoyed the book. Easy read.

[Abby Pandina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an average of 3.48 stars, the copyright date is 2005, and the major themes include coming of age, middle child struggles, and middle school issues. My favorite part of the story was when Julep gave up her special halloween party to cheer up her younger brother who was sad he couldn't go trick-or-treating due to an asthma attack. I would use this book in my classroom as a silent reading option for my 5th/6th grade students.

[Marilyn Trixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this entire book just felt like filler... boring filler.

[Katie J Schwartz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julep O'Toole: Confessions of a Middle Child is a fairly standard middle school I'm-unpopular-and-feel-invisible kind of book. It tells the not super unique story of Julep, a middle child who feels overshadowed by her "perfect" older sister Harmony, ignored because of her obnoxious, always-ill little brother Cooper, and unnoticed at school (especially by the--you never saw this one coming--popular kids). No big deal, right?

Wrong. This book has provided me with the most bizarre reading experience I've ever had. It actually freaked me out a little.

Hear me out.

I have two younger siblings, a sister and a brother. My sister (the middle child) complains about not getting any attention because I'm "perfect" and our little brother grabs up the rest for himself. That's an odd coincidence, but maybe the author just knows a lot about families. Now consider these weird similarities:

I have long blonde hair. So does Harmony.
My sister has crazy auburn hair. So does Julep.
My brother has asthma. So does Cooper.

Trudi Trueit, are you following us around and writing about our lives? Because it's weird. Stop it.

[Emma Braatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I have to say I really loved this book, "Confessions of a Middle Child". I could totally relate mostly because I am the middle child. This book has great twists and turns. And the end was really unpredictable.
This book is about a middle child who feels like air. She is there but, nobody notices she's there. Until the most popular girl in the school finally notices she's there. This girl makes big sacrifices for little things. Just to keep her brother safe and breathing because, he has asthma.
Overall, I recommend this book to all those middle children out there, like me to read this book. It's easy to relate to. Even if you aren't a middle child you should read this book to see how us middle children deal with life at home. Great job, Trudi Trueit!
~Emma Braatz

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about how Julep feels invisible having a perfect sister and a little brother who gets all the attention. It all started when she thought that her parents didn't care about her feelings because she had to switch rooms with her brother. She felt that it was unfair that all they thought about was her brother's allergies and that the doctor preferred him to be around a different flooring. I feel that this is an inspiration book to middle children because Julep finds out that she's not invisible after all even though you can be surrounded by people that you may think gets all the attention.

[Ally Pershina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confessions of a middle child was an ok book. Julep an eleven year old middle child feels invisible. She feels smushed between her perfect older sister and her annoying little brother. She feels only noticed when her parents want something from her. At school Julep gets some attention but not the kind she wants, but then she gets invited to a huge party!

This book wasn't very entertaining to me. I was confused a lot and didn't get what was happening. But being a middle child this book kind of made me laugh because I new some of the stuff Julep was talking about.

I recommend this book to middle school girls. I feel like if you are a middle child you should read this book!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about Julep O'toule was interesting because it, as I see it can show middle children that they are not invisible even when they feel like they are. It was a little upseting, though, because the author was not as interesting as some others, but then again she was descriptive. I would recommend this book to middle children.

[Caitlin N. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite children's lit. I was expecting something like Beverly Cleary's work - fun, silly, real-life children's fiction that still fun and clever for adults to read. This was mostly just silly without the clever and fun. I found the pop culture references, silly exclamations and crazy abbreviations kind of annoying BUT maybe if I were a kid that age I would have enjoyed it!

[Shreya=Drastically Random. Find the emoticon. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why didn't I like it?
JULEP IS THE MOST WHINY, UNORIGINAL, UNINTELLIGENT, PASSIVE CHARACTER I HAVE EVER MET.
So you hate how you're treated. Don't moan in your journal, do something about it!
This book did teach me something, though. NEVER MAKE PASSIVE CHARACTERS. THEY ANNOY THE HECK OUT OF YOUR READERS.

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches you that even if you feel invisible, you can always make yourself shine!

[Rebecca H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly picked this book up and read it quickly but it was actually good. I liked how just about everybody could relate to the main character.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can really connect with the main character, and I wish there was a sequel.

[Imani · Rating 2 out of 5]

so far i like what im reading and i will write a better report when im finished with it

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute series. I love Julep's character.

[Brookley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It I guess is cool but I did not really like it I mean you might like it if YOU WERE the middle child

[Domenica]

AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl who feels invisible b/c she is the middle child learns just how valuable she is. Would give the book to a upper elementary or middle school student.

[Maisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle child needs more attention

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cute.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

hands down amazing!

[Lovely Girl]

I think middle children can relate to what the chartacter is feeling,it is funny and sweet.

[Kayleigh Cahoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

really funny book about a girl who thinks she is invisible

[Jara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable. I had this since I was in grade school, thought I should read it again and I was entertained. Good read.