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Love Simone, XXX #2
Simone's Diary
A light-hearted book about a girl who has just started at secondary school and agrees to help a student teacher with his research by filling in questionnaires and keeping a diary about her experiences during her first year at high school.* Bright, cheerful book for younger readers which could also help deal with any issues they may have about starting secondary school
- GenresChildrens
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
8 people want to read
About the author
Helena Pielichaty
66 books8 followersHelena Pielichaty (pronounced Pierre-li-hatty), author of children's books, was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1955, but most of her childhood was spent in Yorkshire. Pielichaty lives in Nottinghamshire with her husband and two children.
Pielichaty began her career as a teacher and did not start writing until she was 32. Since then, Pielichaty has written many books published by the Oxford University Press.
Pielichaty began her career as a teacher and did not start writing until she was 32. Since then, Pielichaty has written many books published by the Oxford University Press.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 10, 2012
‘Simone’s Diary’ begins with a young girl who is just about to start secondary school agreeing to help a student teacher with his research on how pupils cope with the transition from primary school to secondary, by completing questionnaires and keeping a diary on her experiences. Simone goes into lots of detail about starting life in secondary school, including her worries such as getting lost, making new friends, losing old friends and increased workload- even down to having to lug around a huge, unfashionable rucksack.
Whilst the author does a very good job of portraying a realistic image of secondary school life, it is still reassuring. At the end of the book, the results of the study are given and 98% of participants found their initial worries were never realised. Any obstacles or problems can be overcome with the right mind-frame. This book is ideal for both girls and boys in year 6, as well as being useful for teachers to help prepare children for the transition. Even if readers have already started secondary school, they may find it helpful because some problems such as friendship groups can persevere throughout school and the book can be a source of comfort that they are not alone. These are common struggles many children face.
Children will enjoy this book not only because it is on a topic they can relate to but also because it is very funny. Simone often strays to writing about life outside school, giving very personal details about her family without thinking anything of it: ‘Alexis was sleeping at Toni’s because Toni’s life is going nowhere and she needs a friend right now.’ A great read.
Whilst the author does a very good job of portraying a realistic image of secondary school life, it is still reassuring. At the end of the book, the results of the study are given and 98% of participants found their initial worries were never realised. Any obstacles or problems can be overcome with the right mind-frame. This book is ideal for both girls and boys in year 6, as well as being useful for teachers to help prepare children for the transition. Even if readers have already started secondary school, they may find it helpful because some problems such as friendship groups can persevere throughout school and the book can be a source of comfort that they are not alone. These are common struggles many children face.
Children will enjoy this book not only because it is on a topic they can relate to but also because it is very funny. Simone often strays to writing about life outside school, giving very personal details about her family without thinking anything of it: ‘Alexis was sleeping at Toni’s because Toni’s life is going nowhere and she needs a friend right now.’ A great read.
December 29, 2021
I know it probably seems weird for an adult to read this, but I read it when I was in year six (the target audience) and it made an impression on me, it was nostalgic to reread it again recently. I remember sitting in my primary school's library during lesson time, reading through it as a part of a 'prepare for secondary school' course thing my teacher was putting us through, one of the parts was to read and review a book. I wish I had my original review of this because it would make for an interesting comparison to this one!
I remember relating with Simone and finding some inspiration in her, she's organised and motivated but she has parents that sometimes let her down when she had homework that involved them, just as mine sometimes did. She was an overachiever, working hard, and struggled with her social life. I liked her quirk of making references to new words she's learnt (disembark was one, I found her comment about Chloe not disembarking because of the 'fit' bus driver really funny!) and explaining what they mean to the masters student she was writing to very relatable, I remember doing that when I was a kid! I remember stopping because adults would moodily tell me they already know, which shut me down. I think it's a common thing for kids to be excited about new information, and I try my best to embrace that whenever my niece and nephew share things with me. I want to encourage their thirst for knowledge and enthusiasm for new things.
That is another interesting thing for me, my niece is currently the age I was when I read this. It's given me some insight into where she's at in her development as it's taking me back to where I was, and what things are like for her; not just as someone just starting secondary school, but as someone with separated parents (a situation I can't relate to). I know she's doing okay in school, and has some difficulties as well, so I appreciate that insight this book has provided me.
And a final note, I've shelved this as 'GSM/LGBT+' because the person Simone's completing the diary for and writing letters to (the masters student) is a man called Ben, who told her that while he doesn't have a girlfriend, he has a partner called Gareth. This book was published in the year 2000, when LGBT+ representation was much rarer and more difficult to come by than it is now, and I don't even remember this as an adult so I think it either didn't phase me when I read it (and it shouldn't phase anyone imo!), or I didn't realise. I remember being confused by Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 1 and having to flip back and forth to confirm that both people in the relationship were men, and I was older when I had that realisation (that two men and two women can be romantic with each other).
It's amusing to me that the school that had this in their library was a Christian one that called a student's parent in when a boy was caught kissing another boy in the playground as part of an innocent roleplaying game (it was unfortunately a different time, though I am happy to report that I was told the person's parent didn't care that he kissed a boy, as part of a game or otherwise). Regardless, I really appreciate this subtle and unexpected inclusion!
Overall, I did enjoy reading this. I'm not sure how relevant it is to kids today, I've found that social media and other things is sort of encouraging kids to grow up faster than they did in my day. I am curious about whether there's an updated book like this that would be helpful for kids to read and prepare for their next stage in life (moving from primary to secondary school).
I remember relating with Simone and finding some inspiration in her, she's organised and motivated but she has parents that sometimes let her down when she had homework that involved them, just as mine sometimes did. She was an overachiever, working hard, and struggled with her social life. I liked her quirk of making references to new words she's learnt (disembark was one, I found her comment about Chloe not disembarking because of the 'fit' bus driver really funny!) and explaining what they mean to the masters student she was writing to very relatable, I remember doing that when I was a kid! I remember stopping because adults would moodily tell me they already know, which shut me down. I think it's a common thing for kids to be excited about new information, and I try my best to embrace that whenever my niece and nephew share things with me. I want to encourage their thirst for knowledge and enthusiasm for new things.
That is another interesting thing for me, my niece is currently the age I was when I read this. It's given me some insight into where she's at in her development as it's taking me back to where I was, and what things are like for her; not just as someone just starting secondary school, but as someone with separated parents (a situation I can't relate to). I know she's doing okay in school, and has some difficulties as well, so I appreciate that insight this book has provided me.
And a final note, I've shelved this as 'GSM/LGBT+' because the person Simone's completing the diary for and writing letters to (the masters student) is a man called Ben, who told her that while he doesn't have a girlfriend, he has a partner called Gareth. This book was published in the year 2000, when LGBT+ representation was much rarer and more difficult to come by than it is now, and I don't even remember this as an adult so I think it either didn't phase me when I read it (and it shouldn't phase anyone imo!), or I didn't realise. I remember being confused by Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 1 and having to flip back and forth to confirm that both people in the relationship were men, and I was older when I had that realisation (that two men and two women can be romantic with each other).
It's amusing to me that the school that had this in their library was a Christian one that called a student's parent in when a boy was caught kissing another boy in the playground as part of an innocent roleplaying game (it was unfortunately a different time, though I am happy to report that I was told the person's parent didn't care that he kissed a boy, as part of a game or otherwise). Regardless, I really appreciate this subtle and unexpected inclusion!
Overall, I did enjoy reading this. I'm not sure how relevant it is to kids today, I've found that social media and other things is sort of encouraging kids to grow up faster than they did in my day. I am curious about whether there's an updated book like this that would be helpful for kids to read and prepare for their next stage in life (moving from primary to secondary school).
March 22, 2013
I found this book one of the most accurate books about high school and growing up. Having actualy been, this book was the closest to what my my high school exsperiance was actualy like.
When Simone falls out with her best friend Chole Simone is very upset but makes new friends (Peter and Clifford)and learn that just because you fell out with a friend does not mean they have to be an enemy.
This book isin diary form which makes it more relitable. It use relaxed laungage so it is very good for light reading.
When Simone falls out with her best friend Chole Simone is very upset but makes new friends (Peter and Clifford)and learn that just because you fell out with a friend does not mean they have to be an enemy.
This book isin diary form which makes it more relitable. It use relaxed laungage so it is very good for light reading.
September 26, 2017
Very reminiscent of a simpler time. I first read this at the ages of 10, then at age 12 and now again at 20. I'll always appreciate how this got me over the transition to high school.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews