Double Dare You

Ella Diaries #1

by Meredith Costain, Danielle McDonald (Illustrator)

You are about to read my UTTERLY BIGGEST SECRETS. Can I trust you? OK then. I’m Ella, and this is my diary.It’s a new school year, and it’s perfect. Until class starts that is, and EVERYTHING goes wrong. Ella can’t believe that her absolutely WORST ENEMY EVER, Peach, is sitting next to her! No matter how far Ella moves her new pencil case across the desk, Peach is IN HER SPACE. Where’s her BFF Zoe?How can this year get ANY WORSE?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Lauren Hightower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally this book is okay for young girls. I really wish Ella would have been less fixated on disliking Peach and motivated to patch up their friendship. Her behavior is pretty typical of a 5th grader but not necessarily aspirational. However, this story does leave room for discussion about dealing with “frenemies” and how we should be proud of our accomplishments for ourself and not because someone else didn’t succeed.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Think it will be popular with Mid-Primary School girls.

The illustrations by Danielle McDonald really are as important as the text with this novel. She has a talent. Minimal lines, but super cute.

Lots of girls will relate to the trials and tribulations, misunderstandings & small time jealousies that go on in classrooms and playgrounds. There's a good message too.

Will be promoting this new series and look forward to more.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! It was funny at times! It is about a girl named Ella and her BFF.

[Emmy Teske · Rating 3 out of 5]

It honestly pretty short but it’s basically a diary version of a book

[Paula Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute for my kindergartner. We read it together.

[Jazzy ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm getting flashbacks to year 3 drama

[Ella Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sense my name is Ella this was really fun but that’s not the only reason I liked it. I bet like your
6 to 13 or 14 year old to read or read to. I bet that they would really enjoy that

[Emma Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. I sort of liked it.

[Mandee Mostrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I'm an Usborne consultant, and I wanted to see the type of book that made my 9 year old niece get excited to read on her own. From my 28 year old perspective, it was a cute little light into the stressful life of a young fifth grade girl. Although the protagonist wasn't always perfect and sometimes a little b-r-a-t-t-y, she had a sweet little benevolent soul that ultimately wanted to please people and didn't like to see people hurt. Sometimes these two characteristics collided throughout the diary, but in the end, she seems to find herself and gain confidence while balancing her people pleasing nature with her sensitivity to treat others with respect.

[Shania Heintze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was great but I think I need more of a challenge I will try something else next time. otherwise it was amazing!

[Selena]

I didn’t read the book yet

[lesemama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich las es allerdings auf deutsch

Zum Buch:
Ellas Ferien sind zu Ende und sie kommt in eine neue Klasse. Zum Schuljahresbeginn werden die Klassen neu gemischt und es ist immens wichtig, den richtigen Platz UND den richtigen Nebensitzer auszusuchen. Nur das Ellas Freundin Zoe an diesem ersten Schultag fehlt. So sitzt auf einmal die fiese Penny neben Ella ...

Meine Meinung:
Das Cover ist superschön gemacht und macht sehr neugierig. Dafür hat es alleine schon fünf Sterne verdient.
Nun muss ich gestehen, dass ich nicht der Fan von Büchern um Tagebuchstil bin. Greg hat es mir für alle Zeiten verdorben. Aber Ella macht es wieder gut, denn sie ist absolut bezaubernd. Sie ist nett, sie ist höflich und vor allem steht sie zu ihren Freunden und ist weder fies, noch macht sie Gemeinheiten.

Das Schriftbild ist gut für erfahrene Erstleser zu lesen, es macht Spaß, Ella durch ihren Alltag zu begleiten. Das Buch ist auch innen sehr anschaulich illustriert, genau so, wie es ein junges Mädchen, welches Tagebuch führt, auch machen würde.
Die Geschichte, die das Buch erzählt, ist wertvoll, denn wahre Freunde halten zusammen. Ella gelingt es ganz geschickt dafür zu sorgen, dass die Kinder nett und freundlich zueinander sind.
Für mich verfolgt das Buch damit ein gutes Ziel und ist außerdem sehr unterhaltsam.

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This early chapter book written in diary form is reminiscent of the Amelia diaries by Marissa Moss. The illustrations are simple line drawings rendered in black and red.

Ella is just starting fifth grade and things aren't going well with her ex-best friend making her life miserable. The squabbles are over simple things and the drama is pretty tame. Given the plot and reading level one would assume the characters were in third grade. (In fact, it was an eight-year-old who told me about this series.)

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this together aloud. I liked that the format was such that my daughter wasn't overwhelmed looking at print that was too small or dense. She was willing to read it! I also like it showed a girl in elementary school wanting to be industrious and learn things independently. I wish there were more parental influence in the book. I understand her diary is "the source," but I don't think it is likely that her parents would be as absent as they are.

[eeng]

not particularly my favourite ella diaries book,, however a good start. it's really interesting to see how all the characters developed and their relationships as they are. I think I don't like this book as much as the other ones because peach is the main focus. actually now that i realise it,, most of the books evolve around peach and her shenanigans with her friends.. huh. that's one funky realisation.

[Jamie Thomason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute book /Diary for a young reader or even old who enjoys this type of book. Ella shares funny daily stories in her diary about school, friends, and all the crazy things that young girls do. Very cute illustration as well. Originally bought this for my daughter but enjoy these from time to time and it's a series so I may go on to the second one for fun ! Fun quick read

[Isabel Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is tough choosing what to do and not going with the crowd. But I am glad that at the end Ella
loves Gymnastic as much as Ballet. I also think she should not try to quit ballet. Being not the star of a
cute bunny woodland ballet with babish parts besides the queen and king. Being part of a dance means being part of a team.

[Shraddha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was nice..was in a simple language...and I love the way Ella makes her stories..it's fabulous..😅..and her enemy Peach..when tries to embarrass her in front of the new class teacher..moments she spent with her best friend Zoe were absolutely fabulous..🥰🥰

[Isla Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A but childish, self centered,and she has too much confidence but reasonable book for early readers although very overused plot line the amount of books with the mean girl and the nice girl gets revenge

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. A little too old for my daughter when we read it but I think she will like it when she gets older. There is a fair amount of cattiness that I didn't love, but overall it was good an the moral in the end was nice.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

[Durrani Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I 'm the author.I love her writing the best.

[Kara Brazik-Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is... good. but it could use some work. Okay that's all i have to say.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT book! Really combats the typical "girl as victim of girl bullying." Highly recommend!

[Horizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 year old loves this series. I just finished this with my 6 year old and she also loved it. Funny social stories.

[Neha Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and interesting book, hilarious at times, but sends out a strong message against peer pressure. My daughter loves it, and is inspired to start writing a diary herself !

[Ananya]

Super series
So fun and well said from Ella s point of view

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Lilli B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Ella Diaries.

[Trinity-Ayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love your books!