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Eliza Boom's Diary #1
My Explosive Diary
Meet Eliza Boom—assistant inventor, junior spy, and full-on fantastic—as she tells all in this first book of a chapter book series packed with jokes, doodles, and dear-diary secrets!
Eliza Boom is having a blast. Her father is an inventor who makes gadgets for spies, and Eliza is his unofficial assistant…very unofficial.
Eliza knows if she can just build that one indispensable thing that every secret agent needs, she can be a full-fledged spy herself, but somehow her inventions keep going wrong. Still, with her best friend (well, dog), Einstein, she’s not going to give up.
When Eliza’s father loses a top-secret roll of film, Eliza realizes that she might have accidentally given it to class bully Zoe Wakefield, the Queen of Mean. Eliza’s got to retrieve the film, which Zoe is using as a hair bow, before enemy spies get to it. Luckily she’s got Einstein as well as her own brand-new assistant (and friend), Amy, to help her.
Can these three would-be 007s get the film, stop the spies, and get revenge on the class bully? There’s only one way to find out—and that’s to read Eliza’s diary!
Eliza Boom is having a blast. Her father is an inventor who makes gadgets for spies, and Eliza is his unofficial assistant…very unofficial.
Eliza knows if she can just build that one indispensable thing that every secret agent needs, she can be a full-fledged spy herself, but somehow her inventions keep going wrong. Still, with her best friend (well, dog), Einstein, she’s not going to give up.
When Eliza’s father loses a top-secret roll of film, Eliza realizes that she might have accidentally given it to class bully Zoe Wakefield, the Queen of Mean. Eliza’s got to retrieve the film, which Zoe is using as a hair bow, before enemy spies get to it. Luckily she’s got Einstein as well as her own brand-new assistant (and friend), Amy, to help her.
Can these three would-be 007s get the film, stop the spies, and get revenge on the class bully? There’s only one way to find out—and that’s to read Eliza’s diary!
128 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2014
1 person is currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Emily Gale
29 books98 followersEmily Gale has worked in the children’s & YA book industry for over twenty years. In London she worked as an editor for Penguin and Egmont, and later as a freelance manuscript consultant and pre-school book writer. In Melbourne she worked with the late literary agent Sheila Drummond, finding new children’s and YA authors; she has reviewed for Bookseller and Publisher, spent several happy years at independent bookshop Readings as a children’s buyer, during which time she was instrumental in establishing the Readings Children’s Book Prize, and worked in two school libraries. Emily’s writing includes novels for teenagers like Girl, Aloud, Steal My Sunshine, and I Am Out With Lanterns, as well as books for 10+ including The Other Side of Summer, Elsewhere Girls, and The Goodbye Year. Her junior fiction character is Eliza Boom, which is published all around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 19, 2016
Eliza Boom really wants to develop the perfect invention so she can impress her spy / inventor dad and get back at Zoe, the mean girl in her class. After such failed inventions as The Magno-Glove, A Star in a Jar, and The Grabber, she teams up with the class outcast, Mayo-Amy (so named after her mother uses mayonnaise to wash lice from her hair) to save the day in a surprising way.
This heavily illustrated beginning chapter book was originally published in the UK in February, and will be published in the US by Simon & Schuster this May. Like Michael Broad’s Agent Amelia series, this book is a light-hearted, cartoonish adventure which takes on common childhood problems with friendship, family, and school using a sense of humor. Eliza’s focus on science, which is inspired by her father’s line of work, gives her a unique perspective among chapter book heroines, shared only by the Franny K. Stein books, which, thanks to crude humor, are not quite appropriate for the first and second grade audience. This book, though funny, also has a lot of heart, and readers as young as four or five will understand its humor and find the resolution comforting and satisfying. I think even the youngest kids will understand Eliza’s references to Einstein (her dog’s name) and Edison (her diary’s name), which I thought were wonderful details to include in a science-themed story for young readers.
Sketchy line drawings by Joelle Dreidemy perfectly complement the author’s comic tone and provide visual cues to help the young reader stay with the fast-paced action of the storyline. I especially love the way Dreidemy draws Eliza’s hair, whose poofiness itself is the result of an invention gone wrong. Her round glasses also remind me a lot of Simon from Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings, which isn’t likely to mean anything to kids today, but gave me a strong sense of nostalgia. I also really like the slight exaggerations Dreidemy includes in her drawings, which help characterize Eliza’s frustrated Dad, bossy classmate, and seemingly goody-goody stepmother.
This book will hit shelves at just the right time for this year’s Fizz Boom Read summer reading program, which is all about science. Science-themed chapter books are difficult to find, and it’s harder still to find titles involving strong female characters interested in scientific discovery. For that reason alone, this book seems like a must-buy for most public libraries using the CSLP summer theme.
Read-alikes for this book include the Ivy & Bean series (especially What’s the Big Idea?), and any book in the Scholastic Branches series, as well as picture books such as 11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill and Oh No! by Mac Barnett.
This heavily illustrated beginning chapter book was originally published in the UK in February, and will be published in the US by Simon & Schuster this May. Like Michael Broad’s Agent Amelia series, this book is a light-hearted, cartoonish adventure which takes on common childhood problems with friendship, family, and school using a sense of humor. Eliza’s focus on science, which is inspired by her father’s line of work, gives her a unique perspective among chapter book heroines, shared only by the Franny K. Stein books, which, thanks to crude humor, are not quite appropriate for the first and second grade audience. This book, though funny, also has a lot of heart, and readers as young as four or five will understand its humor and find the resolution comforting and satisfying. I think even the youngest kids will understand Eliza’s references to Einstein (her dog’s name) and Edison (her diary’s name), which I thought were wonderful details to include in a science-themed story for young readers.
Sketchy line drawings by Joelle Dreidemy perfectly complement the author’s comic tone and provide visual cues to help the young reader stay with the fast-paced action of the storyline. I especially love the way Dreidemy draws Eliza’s hair, whose poofiness itself is the result of an invention gone wrong. Her round glasses also remind me a lot of Simon from Simon in the Land of Chalk Drawings, which isn’t likely to mean anything to kids today, but gave me a strong sense of nostalgia. I also really like the slight exaggerations Dreidemy includes in her drawings, which help characterize Eliza’s frustrated Dad, bossy classmate, and seemingly goody-goody stepmother.
This book will hit shelves at just the right time for this year’s Fizz Boom Read summer reading program, which is all about science. Science-themed chapter books are difficult to find, and it’s harder still to find titles involving strong female characters interested in scientific discovery. For that reason alone, this book seems like a must-buy for most public libraries using the CSLP summer theme.
Read-alikes for this book include the Ivy & Bean series (especially What’s the Big Idea?), and any book in the Scholastic Branches series, as well as picture books such as 11 Experiments That Failed by Jenny Offill and Oh No! by Mac Barnett.
February 14, 2016
A decent book, but at times a bit too fast paced for me.
September 26, 2020
Eliza Boom’s Diary: My Explosive Adventure is like Tom Gates and Diary of a Wimpy Kid but pitched for younger readers. It is niche in that it is all about a young girl and her passion for science and all things spy-related and it makes for a very enjoyable read.
Eliza loves spending time in her bedroom. This is because her bedroom isn’t a typical bedroom at all, it is her lab where she invents all sorts of things. Her latest inventions include a spy-cam dog collar, ultra-heated hair rollers and a dog tummy-tickler. Unfortunately, Eliza’s inventions have a habit of causing more harm than good and she is desperate to build just one incredible invention that will prove her dad wrong. You see, her dad is an inventor too. He makes gadgets for spies and Eliza likes to think of herself as his unofficial assistant. Eliza wants to be a spy - why make the inventions for somebody else to use when you could use them yourself?
When Eliza’s dad loses a piece of ribbon containing super top-secret spy information, Eliza realises she may have accidentally given it to the class bully, Zoe. Can Eliza retrieve the ribbon before it gets into the hands of dangerous enemy spies? With her pet dog, Einstein, and new best friend Amy-Mayo, a girl whose mum washed her hair with mayonnaise, she sets out to catch a spy, prevent an international emergency and save the world.
Written in the form of diary entries with jokes, drawings and doodles, this is an action-packed adventure full of scientific inventions, mystery, things that go ‘BOOM’ and bags of humour. The story rattles along at pace and the lively illustrations will help readers to keep track of all the action.
Eliza is a typical child and the read tackles familiar childhood problems of friendship, family and school in a light-hearted and jovial way.
It is refreshing to read a book where the central character is a young girl who is passionate about Science and inventing - something that is under-represented in children’s fiction. There is also the non-conventional family dynamic as Eliza lives with her dad and step-mum.
I liked that the read pays homage to famous scientists of the past with references to Einstein and Edison (Eliza’s dog and diary). This heavily illustrated and easy to read book is ideal for readers who are taking their first reading steps into chapter books.
Recommended for 6+.
Eliza loves spending time in her bedroom. This is because her bedroom isn’t a typical bedroom at all, it is her lab where she invents all sorts of things. Her latest inventions include a spy-cam dog collar, ultra-heated hair rollers and a dog tummy-tickler. Unfortunately, Eliza’s inventions have a habit of causing more harm than good and she is desperate to build just one incredible invention that will prove her dad wrong. You see, her dad is an inventor too. He makes gadgets for spies and Eliza likes to think of herself as his unofficial assistant. Eliza wants to be a spy - why make the inventions for somebody else to use when you could use them yourself?
When Eliza’s dad loses a piece of ribbon containing super top-secret spy information, Eliza realises she may have accidentally given it to the class bully, Zoe. Can Eliza retrieve the ribbon before it gets into the hands of dangerous enemy spies? With her pet dog, Einstein, and new best friend Amy-Mayo, a girl whose mum washed her hair with mayonnaise, she sets out to catch a spy, prevent an international emergency and save the world.
Written in the form of diary entries with jokes, drawings and doodles, this is an action-packed adventure full of scientific inventions, mystery, things that go ‘BOOM’ and bags of humour. The story rattles along at pace and the lively illustrations will help readers to keep track of all the action.
Eliza is a typical child and the read tackles familiar childhood problems of friendship, family and school in a light-hearted and jovial way.
It is refreshing to read a book where the central character is a young girl who is passionate about Science and inventing - something that is under-represented in children’s fiction. There is also the non-conventional family dynamic as Eliza lives with her dad and step-mum.
I liked that the read pays homage to famous scientists of the past with references to Einstein and Edison (Eliza’s dog and diary). This heavily illustrated and easy to read book is ideal for readers who are taking their first reading steps into chapter books.
Recommended for 6+.
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January 17, 2020SPOILER ALERT!!
Eliza Booms, By Emily Gale, Realistic Fiction.
My favorite part about this book is; Eliza tries to get rid of her friends lice by mixing items she found in her pantry.I recomend this boo to 5-12 year olds because it brings a sence of humor into their lives.
I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 because, I wish this book had a teen and adult version so I can read this again when I'm older and still think it's just as funny.
Eliza Booms, By Emily Gale, Realistic Fiction.
My favorite part about this book is; Eliza tries to get rid of her friends lice by mixing items she found in her pantry.I recomend this boo to 5-12 year olds because it brings a sence of humor into their lives.
I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 because, I wish this book had a teen and adult version so I can read this again when I'm older and still think it's just as funny.
July 7, 2018
"I've gotta say that this book was very impressive."
6yo's first "chapter" book.
6yo's first "chapter" book.
July 25, 2022
Very very weird
May 6, 2023
Good solid fun chapter book. Very much for the little kids with fun pictures. A lot to laugh at and quite imaginative.
August 1, 2014
Hooray for Emily Gale! Eliza Boom has it all.
Well rounded non-stereotypical female characters? TICK!
Hilarious details and asides? TICK!
Action + adventure + mystery + drama? TICK!
Unconventional family with a step parent (hooray!) who is neither overly nice NOR evil? Tick!
A writing style that is interesting for kids (diary form! Brilliant!) ? TICK!
Un-patronising and authentic kid’s voice? TICK!!!
Finally I have found a terrific series of books for my seven year old twins – and for me. Even my husband read it without the kids on my recommendation and laughed out loud.
Emily Gale has created a wonderfully rounded character in young inventor Eliza Boom. She isn’t too soppy or girly but (relief!) she isn’t a tom boy either. She’s a real girl who is wrapped up in her own ideas and world but who also the trappings of everyday life - an annoying baby sibling, a step mum, a shaggy dog. She isn’t too saccharine nor too mean. She isn’t too naughty nor too good. She isn’t a goth or a witch and doesn’t have super powers. She’s an inventor but not stereotypically nerdy. She’s a girl. She makes mistakes. Things blow up.
The diary form makes for lots of laughs from Eliza’s point of view of events. It has also inspired my kids to start diaries. There are friendship dramas, mean girls, horses, spies but not like we have seen before. Best of all – there are absolutely NO BORING BITS! There is a lot going on (note to kids authors – kids are smart. They can handle multiple plot lines and sub plots!) There is Eliza’s story, her inventions her mistakes. There’s her mysterious father. There’s several dilemmas that build on each other like all good screw ball comedies. There’s a mean girl. There’s school drama. Friendship drama. There’s a twist. This book is so well structured and edited. The story barrels along. All this in 125 pages with added zing from Joelle Dreidemy’s illustrations that evoke Quentin Blake crossed with Dav Pilky. I found these books thanks to my local independent bookseller. I mentioned I had adventurous, rambunctious girls that liked things to get a bit crazy but so far all the books that catered for this (Captain Underpants and the ilk) were about boys.
No matter the gender, if you have kids who want funny, bright, interesting stories - check out Eliza Boom. And if you don’t have kids – read them anyway!
Well rounded non-stereotypical female characters? TICK!
Hilarious details and asides? TICK!
Action + adventure + mystery + drama? TICK!
Unconventional family with a step parent (hooray!) who is neither overly nice NOR evil? Tick!
A writing style that is interesting for kids (diary form! Brilliant!) ? TICK!
Un-patronising and authentic kid’s voice? TICK!!!
Finally I have found a terrific series of books for my seven year old twins – and for me. Even my husband read it without the kids on my recommendation and laughed out loud.
Emily Gale has created a wonderfully rounded character in young inventor Eliza Boom. She isn’t too soppy or girly but (relief!) she isn’t a tom boy either. She’s a real girl who is wrapped up in her own ideas and world but who also the trappings of everyday life - an annoying baby sibling, a step mum, a shaggy dog. She isn’t too saccharine nor too mean. She isn’t too naughty nor too good. She isn’t a goth or a witch and doesn’t have super powers. She’s an inventor but not stereotypically nerdy. She’s a girl. She makes mistakes. Things blow up.
The diary form makes for lots of laughs from Eliza’s point of view of events. It has also inspired my kids to start diaries. There are friendship dramas, mean girls, horses, spies but not like we have seen before. Best of all – there are absolutely NO BORING BITS! There is a lot going on (note to kids authors – kids are smart. They can handle multiple plot lines and sub plots!) There is Eliza’s story, her inventions her mistakes. There’s her mysterious father. There’s several dilemmas that build on each other like all good screw ball comedies. There’s a mean girl. There’s school drama. Friendship drama. There’s a twist. This book is so well structured and edited. The story barrels along. All this in 125 pages with added zing from Joelle Dreidemy’s illustrations that evoke Quentin Blake crossed with Dav Pilky. I found these books thanks to my local independent bookseller. I mentioned I had adventurous, rambunctious girls that liked things to get a bit crazy but so far all the books that catered for this (Captain Underpants and the ilk) were about boys.
No matter the gender, if you have kids who want funny, bright, interesting stories - check out Eliza Boom. And if you don’t have kids – read them anyway!
July 14, 2014
I can't say that I really loved this book, but I can see young middle graders enjoying the silliness, especially if they aren't quite ready for Dork Diaries or Ellie McDoodle. The numerous illustrations are vital to the story making this a graphic novel in my book. And graphic novels are really popular these days.
I did like some things about the book, the fact that Eliza is an inventor, for example. We need more books with girls doing science and math related activities. Eliza's persistence in inventing even when most of her inventions don't work right is admirable if a bit destructive. The bully is quite irritating which she's supposed to be while Amy, Eliza's new friend provides a nice touch.
The whole spy aspect is absurd but I don't see it bothering the target audience, especially since the story is about a real little girl saving the day, not with superpowers but with her brains and courage. A fun, light read perfect for younger readers and reluctant readers.
I did like some things about the book, the fact that Eliza is an inventor, for example. We need more books with girls doing science and math related activities. Eliza's persistence in inventing even when most of her inventions don't work right is admirable if a bit destructive. The bully is quite irritating which she's supposed to be while Amy, Eliza's new friend provides a nice touch.
The whole spy aspect is absurd but I don't see it bothering the target audience, especially since the story is about a real little girl saving the day, not with superpowers but with her brains and courage. A fun, light read perfect for younger readers and reluctant readers.
November 23, 2015
I love children book. Jadi kalau ga suka cerita anak-anak ya buku ini boleh dilewatkan.
Dibeli untuk Jendral Kancil yang sedang dilatih membaca buku bahasa inggris dan membaca buku yang tulisannya lebih banyak ketimbang gambarnya. Dibeli karena lagi diskon di periplus. Diskon ini yang paling penting sepertinya.
Jendral Kancil mampu menyelesaikan buku ini sekali duduk. Berarti bukunya bagus dan tulisannya tidak terlalu banyak. Ia bahkan meminta edisi berikutnya, yang untungnya lagi diskon juga di periplus.
Saya suka karena ini bercerita soal anak yang terus mencoba membuat penemuan-penemuan sesederhana dan segila apapun. Anak yang mengambil tindakan atas orang yang membullynya. Anak yang berteman dengan anak korban penindasan lain. Bagus lah. Baca aja. Mumpung diskon. Hahaha.
Dibeli untuk Jendral Kancil yang sedang dilatih membaca buku bahasa inggris dan membaca buku yang tulisannya lebih banyak ketimbang gambarnya. Dibeli karena lagi diskon di periplus. Diskon ini yang paling penting sepertinya.
Jendral Kancil mampu menyelesaikan buku ini sekali duduk. Berarti bukunya bagus dan tulisannya tidak terlalu banyak. Ia bahkan meminta edisi berikutnya, yang untungnya lagi diskon juga di periplus.
Saya suka karena ini bercerita soal anak yang terus mencoba membuat penemuan-penemuan sesederhana dan segila apapun. Anak yang mengambil tindakan atas orang yang membullynya. Anak yang berteman dengan anak korban penindasan lain. Bagus lah. Baca aja. Mumpung diskon. Hahaha.
June 22, 2015
Eliza Boom is an inventor, just like her father who works on undercover spy projects. When his top secret information goes missing, Eliza realizes that she is at fault for the loss and starts working on inventions to get the info back.
First book in a series about Eliza Boom. Will appeal to reluctant readers as the diary format has many of different fonts, text sizes, and drawings on almost every page.
First book in a series about Eliza Boom. Will appeal to reluctant readers as the diary format has many of different fonts, text sizes, and drawings on almost every page.
June 27, 2017
Eliza likes to make things go BOOM!...ok, not really. It's more that things go Boom! a lot around her.
Spy fun, interesting parents, and some surprises along the way made this book a whole lot of fun. I'll definitely want to read more of this series. This is the book I wish I had when I was first starting out to read because it's just plain fun, proving that easy to read doesn't have to mean short on story.
Spy fun, interesting parents, and some surprises along the way made this book a whole lot of fun. I'll definitely want to read more of this series. This is the book I wish I had when I was first starting out to read because it's just plain fun, proving that easy to read doesn't have to mean short on story.
March 12, 2015
Eliza Boom isn’t just an average kid. She is also an inventor’s assistant and a SPY. Well, at least she hopes to be. With her inventions usually on the fritz, she is eager to make one that finally works. When her dad loses a VERY important, VERY secret object, Eliza steps up to retrieve it… especially since she may have been the person to put it in an evil-doer’s hands.
March 4, 2015
Eliza's inventions are generally well-intentioned, yet rarely successful. She desires to be inventor assistant to her father. Little does she know that her father (and mother) are much more than what she thinks. The mix of text and lots of illustrations and diagrams make this a perfect intermediate book for boys and girls.
July 18, 2015
This is a cute little book for young girls. I think it would be a good book to read to your kids when they are growing out of picture books or for them to read themselves when they are moving on from more simple, repetitive texts. The pictures are very good and plentiful which kids will really like. Not sure it needed the diary form though, but I guess it is all the rage at the moment.
March 17, 2014
What a fun read! Wish I had this book when I was six. It's fab.
October 24, 2014
Great book. I'd recommend to anybody with girls who are my girls' age. Eager to see the sequel.
January 22, 2015
Very funny, quick read. My 5&9 year olds loved it!
January 24, 2015
Kind of like Franny K, but not quite as good.
July 14, 2015
Of course I have to like any girl inventor named Eliza. Cute, but perhaps a little too light.
February 11, 2019
This is a book that showcases girls can do anything.
January 10, 2021
Great book I think🙂🙂
April 21, 2017
Eliza Boom is an inventor. Her assistant is Einstein her dog. And she's really hoping that her 100th try will yield some good results. Her inventor dad has told her it takes 99 failures before you succeed. Well, she's currently somewhere around #93 to blow up so she's gotta be getting close...right? It becomes even more important to find the right invention when she thinks it will get her into popular but mean girl Zoe's party, and then it becomes imperative when she realizes her bow on Zoe's gift was a secret piece of spy equipment her dad really needs to get back before it falls into the wrong hands. Can she pull off an invention that works and save the day, or will it just blow up in her face again?
A short, humorous, light thriller for lower grade readers packed with illustrations that keep things lively. The spy element was an unexpected bonus. And I liked the lesson Eliza learned along the way about friendship. Recommended for reluctant readers and those who want "exciting" stories.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Despite all the explosions, no one is ever seriously hurt.
A short, humorous, light thriller for lower grade readers packed with illustrations that keep things lively. The spy element was an unexpected bonus. And I liked the lesson Eliza learned along the way about friendship. Recommended for reluctant readers and those who want "exciting" stories.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Despite all the explosions, no one is ever seriously hurt.
April 21, 2017
MY favorite part of the book was when all the booming came out. The book had lots of booms!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews