The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11

by Amy Hest

Katie's father died in World War II, and four years later her mother has married Sam Gold and taken her away from New York City to a ranch in Texas. Amy Hest, author of the acclaimed novel LOVE YOU, SOLDIER that featured Katie at age seven, has written a new story in the intimate form of Katie's diary, letters, and drawings. With perfect pitch for the fears and hopes of an 11-year-old, this funny, poignant novel sings of a young girl's longing to fit into a new life without forgetting the old.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Grief, Coming Of Age

80 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Amy Hest is a three-time winner of the Christopher Medal and winner of the BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Danniem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts is a fabulous novel about a young girl trying to fit into a new place. In the beginning, Katie Roberts moves to Texas with her mother, but she decides to refuse. This novel is based as a diary entry of Katie Roberts in the making of new friends and a new home. I absolutely enjoy how the author styled the writing in the book and that it is set for being during World War II. I would recommend this book to kids and young adults who enjoy reading diary entry's from the war. Katie Roberts eventually gets away with new plans and problems. Though the conflict develops from her turning the other cheek and trying something new. On the other hand, I also personally dislike part of the ending. I think this book deserves a five star rating and should have been read from every kid in America! If you liked reading this book, then you should try reading Diary of Anne Frank, or Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or Dork Diaries. Do YOU dare to take upon the thrilling adventures of Katie Roberts?

[Kendra Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, age 11 was a very quick read for someone who is looking for a fast, light hearted. I enjoyed it because it brought back the memories of everything that happened when I was a child. Katie Roberts writes down and illustrates the important events in her life in a way that it came from the mind of a child.

I would recommend this book to someone who wants to have memories of childhood with a quick simple read.

[Koike Teppei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute, very short read. I feel like I can connect to Katie in many different ways and I can clearly see how she feels unloved. I love how throughout the book, no matter what happens, there is always someone that she can turn to. I don't know if she knew it but they were always there for her! <3

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was a kid. I got it at one of those scholastic book fairs at school. I would read it over and over again. I loved it. I wish I knew what happened to it because I would love to read it again.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Many other girls would like it too, if you like realistic fiction and some romance.

[Leah Tunon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts, Age 11 is a very touching book with showing the emotional journey she had went through. In this book, I read about Katie who is an 11 year old girl experienced big life changes after World War II. Moving from New York City to Texas after her father dies and later on her mother remarries, makes her miss her old life. While reading this story Katie experiences trouble at her new school and even jealously from the changes in her relationship with her mother because of her stepfather. However, we see later on how Katie starts to slowly adjust to her new life. We see her making friends and finding things she enjoys to do, and she even begins to accept her new family. In my opinion, this book is a good representation of coping with change.

Major themes in the book are grief and rebellion. For grief we see this theme with Katie losing her father as he died in the war. She deeply misses his and compares her new stepfather to her biological dad. She feels guilty about "replacing" him, but later on realizes that she isn't replacing him but rather expanding her love. For rebellion we see this theme when Katie's family moves to a Ranch in Texas. She gets angry at her mother and stepfather frequently because of their situation. We see this when she writes bitter entries in her notebook. From this she even plans to run away back to New York because of how overwhelmed she feels.

The main genre of this book is Historical fiction. Children reading this book could learn that change is hard, but you can adjust and expressing your feelings helps. This book was a WOW book for me because of the writing style, the diary format had made it very interesting.

The author used multiple literary devices and other forms of writing craft in this book. First, the author used the writing craft technique of first person point of view. An example of this writing craft from the book is when the author uses a notebook format. With this format we see Katie's direct feelings, thoughts, and experiences. We get to see her frustrations, sarcasm, and honest reactions to things that happen in her life. Such as when in the book she said "I am in a VERY BAD MOOD," the capitalization in that sentence emphasizes how she is currently frustrated. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by making the story feel real and can allow readers to connect emotionally with Katie. Second, the author used the writing craft technique of character development. An example of this writing craft from the book is when the author shows how Katie gradually evolves throughout the story. At the beginning she rejects her new home and stepfather. At the end of the story we see Katie accepting her new life with her even agreeing to be adopted by her stepfather, Sam. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of quality of the book by giving readers a clear emotional journey and even possibly teaching them about growth.

The author portrayed anti bias perspectives in this book by showing how bias forms and how they can change, making the lesson powerful and guiding readers toward open mindedness.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short but sweet story about a young Jewish girl whose life is turned upside-down with the remarriage of her mother is not a game-changer, but it is a pleasant enough little tale. This is presented in diary form as Katie writes down her thoughts or letters about ongoing events in her life, and how she is coping with her recent move and new family dynamics. Katie herself is immature for her age until the very end of the story, but I took that as to be expected by the sudden, unexpected changes she found herself in. The artwork is gorgeous - I remember reading this story as a youngster and actually thinking the pictures in the story were real photographs; they are incredibly realistic-looking!

It can easily be finished within a day, but it's a nice little story nonetheless.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE PRIVATE NOTEBOOK OF KATIE ROBERTS is a a short diary style story about Katie who leaves New York with her mother and stepfather to Texas. Over the course of the story, Katie finds friends and loses friends, feels like she is losing her mother to her stepfather and future step sibling and decides to run away to New York to live with a neighbour. Of course, Katie doesn’t go to New York, and her and mother have a good honest talk that clears the air between them.
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The diary is filled with letters and drawings and photographs and is really written in the style of an eleven year old girl which makes it that much better.

[Alexis C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes people need to write their thoughts in a notebook. From the book The private Notebooks of Katie Roberts By Amy Hest.Ever since Katie Roberts father died in World War II, she has been writing in her notebook about her new life in Texas with her mom and her stepdad, Sam Gold. Katie writes about how she’s not comfortable about her life in Texas and wishes to go back to New York,but finds a way that makes her never want to leave. I recommend this book to people who has ever moved to a different location and start a new life.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Change is hard - very hard of Katie. Be a friend to have a friend is her teacher's sound advice. That is hard for Katie as she tries to navigate her hurt and confusion, her insecurities and uncertainties. This is a story that could help readers consider the importance of putting others first sometimes.

[Charlotte]

I really likes the book i recimend

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished this in prep to read the green notebook with my niece. cute story and enough character growth.

[Naomi Frishman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring.

[Naoma Hoten emmendorfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute book

[Kya Dover · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book, The Private Notebook of Katie Roberts discribes how you can hate something, but at the end love it because it has to be. The book was about how this little girl and her mom moved to texis,because the mom is getting married to a guy named Sam. Katie didn't like moving one bit. Katie thought why couldnt move to New York in their house? I would tell you more but you'll just have to find out yourself. But let me just tell you, two suprises will be entering this world.

[Carina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good in my opinion because it does not lag on, and it is cool to see how this girl's opinion changes. It is about a girl going through many changes, like her fathers death, her mothers marriage to Sam Gold, moving to Texas from New York, and getting twin brothers. I recommend this book to any who likes drama and diary like books.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was around 8 years old. I LOVED it then and I still love it now. I just got done re-reading it again for the 100th time. It is a nice short book to enjoy. I love Katie Roberts as a main character. Her story about losing her day during WWII and having her mother remarry can be a hard time for an 11 year old, but in the end she works through it.

[Darcia]

-This Book Is Very Good It's Like Reading Someone's Diary. I Was Very Interested In This Book And I Enjoyed Reading It, I Recommend This Book To Anyone Who Likes To Snoop Around And Read Other People's Thought!

[☾ Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4th grade teacher gave me this book and I remember reading it to my mom as a kid. People don't always remember how hard it is to be a kid. That's not even considering kids who lose a parent or go through some other loss. This is a cute story and a quick read.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appropriate for someone approx. eleven years old as well. But I've always loved journaling and therefore any book in journal form, so I had to read it. Really good.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

when i was young this used to be like my favorite book! (and no, i didn't read it when i was 11)

[Asenath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be perfect for 11 year olds.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i used to really like this book...

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good book if you like to look at peoples private stuff and embarassing moments!

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this in fourth grade. I was obsessed with it and would read it over again countless times. I still have the book today and read it from time to time.

[Caylee Mcdougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book dude

[erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

two books in one, Katie Roberts aged 11 & 12 shares her private thoughts of moving, her family and growing up in post WW2 Texas.

[Bora Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is like a diary and also i like this book because i can know how American girls lives

[Cws]

JEAR3-Hes