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Funky Fall
Fifth grade is in full swing, and Norma Elliot is juggling it all; Mrs. Gookaw’s rambling lessons, Aunt Gail’s flashy new boyfriend, and the Porgys’ annoying, hairless chihuahua.
Meanwhile, Pepper proposes to Miss Kelly with a rubber ring (probably from a vending machine), Boyd’s crush drama is spiraling, and Norma’s growing-up weirdness isn’t exactly smooth sailing.
With her journal and faith, Norma faces awkward family moments, friendship chaos, and funky fall surprises--learning that life’s not about staying comfy, but about trusting God in the mess and the good times too.
Victoria Simcox draws readers into Norma’s world through warmth, humor, and honesty--showing that God’s love meets us in every stumble and victory. No matter the chaos, His grace stays steady, lighting the way through it all.
Meanwhile, Pepper proposes to Miss Kelly with a rubber ring (probably from a vending machine), Boyd’s crush drama is spiraling, and Norma’s growing-up weirdness isn’t exactly smooth sailing.
With her journal and faith, Norma faces awkward family moments, friendship chaos, and funky fall surprises--learning that life’s not about staying comfy, but about trusting God in the mess and the good times too.
Victoria Simcox draws readers into Norma’s world through warmth, humor, and honesty--showing that God’s love meets us in every stumble and victory. No matter the chaos, His grace stays steady, lighting the way through it all.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2025
About the author
Victoria Simcox
21 books129 followersVictoria Simcox is a 1st Place Story Monsters Royal Dragonfly Award–winning author. A former elementary art teacher, Victoria enjoys writing, reading, watercolor painting, and blending humor into her fantasy and faith-inspired stories.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 16, 2025
Norma Elliot is dealing with more of the struggles tween girls have - mean girls, boy problems, and puberty. Fifth Grade is never easy, and Norma is having to deal with ALL that, plus family drama. Aunt Gail has kidnapped Grandma and whisked her down to Peru to be a model for her anti-aging cream. While down there, Aunt Gail spends more time with a flashy new boyfriend than catering to grandma's wrinkling face.
Meanwhile, cousin Pepper proposes to Miss Kelly, using a gumball ring, and the guy Norma is beginning to like, Boyd, is having a crush on Norma's worst enemy. The neighbors are starting to invade with their own issues, including their very odd dog who is leaving puddles and presents in her room. She finds herself babysitting iguanas. Including one that attempts to win a basketball game. But it finally comes to a head when her boy crush asks her to write a love poem for him - one he's intending to give to his OWN crush, Norma's enemy, Lydia.
Norma manages to take most of this in stride, however, thanks to her faith and her secret journal. She's finding out that life is not all peaches and cream, roses and fluffy kittens. Sometimes it can be a bit... funky.
Content:
Drug Content:
G - squeaky clean. Well, except for a neighbor who seems to have a bottle of something that gets him soused.
Violence:
G - Not a scratch.
Language:
G - squeaky clean.
Adult Content:
PG - this book addresses the 'development issues' girls in this age group have to deal with. Budding, training bras, angst, boy crushes, and the like. The subject matter is handled well, in classic Simcox style. Humor and sass.
Christian content:
Just like in the previous books, this hilarious book may seem like fluff, but it contains meat as Norma recaps her day with God in her journal. A verse from the journal ties it all neatly together with a bow, and you discover that the events of the day do have an eternal significance, no matter how trivial they seem on the uptake. Norma struggles with patience, weariness, anxiety, angst, and the tongue. Her conversations with God in her journal hammer home for girls struggling through the same things that they are not alone, that God has GOT this, and that He has a plan for them.
Final analysis:
Funky Fall: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal #4 by Victoria Simcox is a hilarious but powerful vignette into the life of a teen girl, and the struggles they face. Her family is side-splitting. Her school life is classic. I believe all Christian girls struggle with the same issues Norma does, and can benefit from this supercharged side-splitting trip. Most memorable line: "And that's why you should never trust a llama." also, "with a look that could melt steel." One added note - no bearded dragons were harmed in the making of this novel. Five Stars!
Meanwhile, cousin Pepper proposes to Miss Kelly, using a gumball ring, and the guy Norma is beginning to like, Boyd, is having a crush on Norma's worst enemy. The neighbors are starting to invade with their own issues, including their very odd dog who is leaving puddles and presents in her room. She finds herself babysitting iguanas. Including one that attempts to win a basketball game. But it finally comes to a head when her boy crush asks her to write a love poem for him - one he's intending to give to his OWN crush, Norma's enemy, Lydia.
Norma manages to take most of this in stride, however, thanks to her faith and her secret journal. She's finding out that life is not all peaches and cream, roses and fluffy kittens. Sometimes it can be a bit... funky.
Content:
Drug Content:
G - squeaky clean. Well, except for a neighbor who seems to have a bottle of something that gets him soused.
Violence:
G - Not a scratch.
Language:
G - squeaky clean.
Adult Content:
PG - this book addresses the 'development issues' girls in this age group have to deal with. Budding, training bras, angst, boy crushes, and the like. The subject matter is handled well, in classic Simcox style. Humor and sass.
Christian content:
Just like in the previous books, this hilarious book may seem like fluff, but it contains meat as Norma recaps her day with God in her journal. A verse from the journal ties it all neatly together with a bow, and you discover that the events of the day do have an eternal significance, no matter how trivial they seem on the uptake. Norma struggles with patience, weariness, anxiety, angst, and the tongue. Her conversations with God in her journal hammer home for girls struggling through the same things that they are not alone, that God has GOT this, and that He has a plan for them.
Final analysis:
Funky Fall: Norma Elliot's Secret Journal #4 by Victoria Simcox is a hilarious but powerful vignette into the life of a teen girl, and the struggles they face. Her family is side-splitting. Her school life is classic. I believe all Christian girls struggle with the same issues Norma does, and can benefit from this supercharged side-splitting trip. Most memorable line: "And that's why you should never trust a llama." also, "with a look that could melt steel." One added note - no bearded dragons were harmed in the making of this novel. Five Stars!
August 21, 2025
Norma’s in fifth grade now, and nothing gets by her. She observes everything and has opinions about them, including her rich classmate, Lydia’s, antics to win a school election. Even though Funky Fall is a great book for children, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult, laughing out loud at Norma’s ability to get in and out of jams, as well as her honest descriptions of people and life around her. On one occasion she persuaded her mother to let her watch her friend’s expensive pets, bearded dragons. After Norma’s mom finally agreed to let Norma take care of the reptiles, she warned her she was in big trouble if even one of them got loose in the house. Well, one escaped from the pillow on Norma’s bed into the heating vent. I couldn’t wait to see how Norma would get herself out of this mess. Through it all though, Norma talks to God telling him the events of the day, asking him to lead her. I like how Norma comes to an inspirational spiritual conclusion in the end. Illustrations enhance the book too.
Mrs. Simcox has an incredible talent for getting in the mind of a fifth grader. It’s had to say which part of this wonderful book I liked the most. Norma has wonderful parents too. Here’s a wise quote to remember from Norma’s Dad: “…Doing a good job at anything in life is a ministry.”
Children will easily relate to the incidents and benefit from the Christian messages. As an adult, I can’t wait for another peek into Norma Elliott’s Secret Diary. I highly recommend it for children and adults.
Mrs. Simcox has an incredible talent for getting in the mind of a fifth grader. It’s had to say which part of this wonderful book I liked the most. Norma has wonderful parents too. Here’s a wise quote to remember from Norma’s Dad: “…Doing a good job at anything in life is a ministry.”
Children will easily relate to the incidents and benefit from the Christian messages. As an adult, I can’t wait for another peek into Norma Elliott’s Secret Diary. I highly recommend it for children and adults.
May 13, 2025
Delightful ongoing story about Norma as she enters the fifth grade. Dealing with puberty changes, she continues to view the world and all that it offers from a Christian perspective, always attempting to better herself. From her siblings, extended family, demanding friends and strange neighbors and pets, she must deal with their oddities, demands, and crazy chaos that follows with every turn. Yet, quite tolerantly, she is able to survive all that comes her way from a mostly cheerful perspective. Hilarious in its presentation along with funny illustrations throughout, this is another highly recommended book that all preteen girls can relate to and enjoy!
September 21, 2025
Another hilarious story about Norma Elliot's Secret Journal. This book has the same funny adventures with Norma's family, friends, and schoolteacher. I literally had me laughing all the way through. Her journal entries the way she talks to God like a friend, and is honest about her feelings, is admirable.
I loved the Biblical scripture at the beginning of each of her journal entries. They are great teaching lessons. The two dogs had me chuckling.
I have enjoyed every book in the series I have read so far. It reminds me of some of the antics from my own childhood. Highly recommended.
I loved the Biblical scripture at the beginning of each of her journal entries. They are great teaching lessons. The two dogs had me chuckling.
I have enjoyed every book in the series I have read so far. It reminds me of some of the antics from my own childhood. Highly recommended.
October 31, 2025
Funky Fall – Victoria Simcox
Reviewed by RJ October 2025
This author has once again produced a hilarious, fun-filled story about the challenges of Norma Elliot and her 5th-grade friends. It is notable that the author has a perfect grasp of the voice of a preteen and the experiences that shape their lives.
Puberty, funky friends, and their pets make for interesting reading for this age group. Norma’s experiences are viewed in light of God’s Word as she records them in her journal. Not only is she dealing with normal challenges, but viewing them through scripture proves a great way to compare the two.
A great read for this age group!
Reviewed by RJ October 2025
This author has once again produced a hilarious, fun-filled story about the challenges of Norma Elliot and her 5th-grade friends. It is notable that the author has a perfect grasp of the voice of a preteen and the experiences that shape their lives.
Puberty, funky friends, and their pets make for interesting reading for this age group. Norma’s experiences are viewed in light of God’s Word as she records them in her journal. Not only is she dealing with normal challenges, but viewing them through scripture proves a great way to compare the two.
A great read for this age group!
December 16, 2025
As the real world explodes in violence this week, I desperately needed this humorous and uplifting story to ground me.
Norma Elliot is a spunky teenager with an older and wiser spirit deep inside her. She takes what life gives her, whether weird relatives or teenage heartbreak, and grows from each experience. Her journal grounds her and keeps her on a moral path.
This is the perfect book to read during the holidays, when problems and relatives always seem to multiply.
Norma Elliot is a spunky teenager with an older and wiser spirit deep inside her. She takes what life gives her, whether weird relatives or teenage heartbreak, and grows from each experience. Her journal grounds her and keeps her on a moral path.
This is the perfect book to read during the holidays, when problems and relatives always seem to multiply.
June 16, 2025
I was expecting to be happy with book four in this adorable series and I was not disappointed!
As with the other books, this one was full of laughs, antics, and cute life lessons!
My four nieces, who range from age 3 to 10 love this series! This set would be a wonderful addition to any reading materials for any adolescent you know! I highly recommend it!
As with the other books, this one was full of laughs, antics, and cute life lessons!
My four nieces, who range from age 3 to 10 love this series! This set would be a wonderful addition to any reading materials for any adolescent you know! I highly recommend it!
June 29, 2025
Fifth grade proves fertile ground for Norma Elliot’s growing-up experiences, from her kooky relatives to her confused friends. There’s laughter as well as a bit of soul-searching. Personal experiences, including school and an oddball Thanksgiving dinner, are interspersed with diary messages asking for God’s guidance, but without preaching. An excellent choice for kids.
July 18, 2025
Fun in the Fall
Norma is back in school and having fun. From gassy Pam, to Mom's creative cuisine, Norma's dreaded training bra to Lord Baldimort's random peeing habits, and everything in-between this final book in the series is packed with fun-filled lessons as Norma grows in her knowledge of God's will for her life.
Praise for another great story by Victoria Simcox!
Norma is back in school and having fun. From gassy Pam, to Mom's creative cuisine, Norma's dreaded training bra to Lord Baldimort's random peeing habits, and everything in-between this final book in the series is packed with fun-filled lessons as Norma grows in her knowledge of God's will for her life.
Praise for another great story by Victoria Simcox!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews