Jennifer's Diary

by Anne Fine

Jennifer has a diary and Iolanthe doesn't. But Iolanthe does have a vivid imagination and a gift for writing stories. When she sees empty pages in Jennifer's diary, she can't help herself - they're clearly waiting for tales much more exciting than her friend's records of shop visits and weather. Iolanthe is so taken with the diary that soon sharing it is not enough and, eventually, she finds something to swop with Jennifer for it - extra stories to be available to order whenever Jennifer needs them.

Genres: Childrens, Humor

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2001

About the author

Though readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.

Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)

Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.

Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vintage Anne Fine with all her usual one-liners. It's really a single note story about a one girl coveting her best friend's diary. Although Fine is a wonderful children's author, her output is inconsistent. Better to stick with Diary of a Killer Cat (et al) for this age group. They are truly funny while this one is only vaguely funny.

[Nadina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and easy read.
I absolutely hated Iola's character, and disliked her all the way through the end. I felt bad for Jennifer, and I hope in future she gets better friends.
This was well paced, clearly geared at younger chapter book readers.
I think in terms of the ending it should lead more to discussion rather than being a good outcome. I think Iola and Jennifer's friendship is definitely flawed. There is very little growth in the characters. It does make me want to start something like the diary in the style Iola wrote hers though, or an actual diary, not sure really.

[Pyrate Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl's imagination and writing get her in trouble when she "borrows" her friend's diary and starts writing entries into the empty dates.

[•matilda• · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Iolanthe is just like me because we both love writing.

[Dana Dowling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book but it sometimes a bit confusing 😕

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally rated A by Linda Lafferty
Four words for this book – It left me cold. I did review another book by this author and this one, like the other, is also filled with lots of sarcasm. Iola likes to write and always has ideas for stories, but her best friend Jennifer cannot come up with anything imaginative. Iola cannot understand why. She thinks, “There must be something between Jennifer’s ears…. But every time I hear that old wail of hers (“I can’t think of anything to write) I want to tape her mouth shut or slice off the top of Jen’s head and fill her brain up to overflowing with some of my leftover ideas.” Not very nice sentiments, in this reviewer’s opinion.
Then Jennifer receives a present from her aunt – a diary. She’s only written one liners on certain dates in her diary. Iola cannot comprehend that. Then the diary falls out of Jennifer’s backpack. Iola retrieves it, takes it home, and after trying much self control not to, writes a story based on Jen’s one line, “Nothing much happened today.” The story involved saving a boy from drowning. The next day in school Jennifer is asked to read her writing assignment. She has no idea what Iola has done in her diary. The story is a big success with both the teacher and students. Jennifer is very angry with Iola because “wet underwear” is mentioned in the story. I didn’t get it. The rest of the book is Iola coming up with all kinds of reasons why Jen should give Iola her diary, since she loves to write. Iola continues to write in Jen’s diary. At the end Iola tricks Jennifer into realizing she DOES have ideas to use for writing. Binding fair. Story very short – 58 pages

[Merry Beau · Rating 3 out of 5]

A challenging enough read for the 2nd half of 2nd class (eight year olds). Humorous. Much appreciated by children who enjoy creative writing. Iolanthe, who is the main character is unusual in the reading we have done to date as she is a sort of anti-hero. The banter that goes on between 'mean' (ish) girls is well recorded.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

No review.