Secrets Out

The Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine #2

by Julie Sternberg, Johanna Wright (Illustrator)

In this second book in the Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine series, ten-year-old Celie discovers that keeping secrets is hard . . . really hard. And even though she tries her best, she runs into some sticky situations.
 
Celie’s grandmother has moved in with her family, and Granny’s forgetfulness is starting to worry Celie. In the meantime, Celie can tell her parents are keeping secrets, but she can’t talk to her best friend, Lula, or her sister, Jo, because they’re both keeping secrets, too! Why isn’t Lula sharing with Celie? Who is Jo texting all the time? And what is Celie supposed to do when special time with her grandmother becomes much more complicated—and possibly dangerous—than Celie can manage on her own? 
 
Once again, Celie turns to her diary as she tries to sort this all out, filling the pages with humorous, heartfelt entries, notes, drawings, and pages from her top-secret spy notebook.

Genres: Childrens

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2015

About the author

Julie Sternberg is the author of the best-selling LIKE PICKLE JUICE ON A COOKIE and its sequels. Her latest book, SUMMER OF STOLEN SECRETS, is a middle-grade novel coming out in 2021 from Viking. She also wrote THE TOP-SECRET DIARY OF CELIE VALENTINE series and the picture books BEDTIME AT BESSIE AND LIL’S and PUPPY PUPPY PUPPY. Her books have received a number of awards. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband; her younger daughter, who is almost but not yet old enough to abandon her; and her dog, Clementine, who basks in pools of sunlight in the apartment and occasionally heaves a deep sigh.
www.juliesternberg.com

Reviews

[Jada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book called “The Top Secret Diary of Celie Valentine” by Julie Sternberg and illustrated by Johanna Wright, is an amazing book this sometimes kind of reminds me of the books “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” because in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Greg always rights in his diary/journal and in “The Top Secret Diary of Celie Valentine” Celie always rights in her diary. Also, in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Greg always talks about his troubles in school and at home, also Celie does to she talks about her troubles at school like why her and her best friend aren’t friends right now. But, that’s all I’m gonna tell you about the comparisons of both book and I hope you enjoy the book and also see the comparisons of the two books. ENJOY!!

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second installment of Celie Valentine is as strong and true as Book 1. Julie Sternberg has a knack for capturing the feelings, worries, and probable mistakes a fourth grader would make as she navigates life's ups-and-downs in friendships and family relationships. Celie is the youngest in the Valentine family, and she often feels that she is wronged because so much is going on: the Grandma she adores seems to be suffering from early Alzheimer's, her 6th grade sister has a cellphone now and spends even less time with Celie, her sister is also a pre-teen and prone to tantrums and dramatic outbursts, and her Mom and Dad are overwhelmed with Grandma's rapidly deteriorating mental health. Celie hopes to find comfort in her friendship with Lula, but as we witnessed in Book 1, Violet is wedging herself between Lula and Celie, trying to take Celie's place. So what is Celie to do? Celie reacts badly to so many situations that seem to be more than she can handle, and she writes it all down in her diary, which the reader gets to read as well as admire Celie's artistic interpretation of what she is feeling and what is going on around her. Celie handles friendship and family as best she can, she makes mistakes, has someone to point her down the correct path, she gets angry, she apologizes, she learns from her mistakes, and through it all, the reader gets to empathize, make connections, and learn from Celie's experiences, that are realistic because of their every day family and school life likeness.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possible a 4.5--see http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2019... for details.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Top-Secret Diary of Celie Valentine. Told in diary form, this book continues the saga of Celie's worries about her best friend, big sister, and grandmother. Like an updated version of Harriet the Spy, Celie has to deal with the consequences of spying on her family and friends. Although the plot is predictable and doesn't totally stand alone, the relationships are comforting and will leave readers ready for the next installment.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in journal format, students will identify with the friendship and family problems that Celie shares. I like the straightforward way that the grandmother's memory problems are addressed. This review is based on an ARC.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friendship is challenging! Figuring out how you fit when your family and your friends' families are changing can make it even more difficult. But if you forgive and honestly pay attention to each other, things do get better - easier even.

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with adorable illustrations.