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Owl Diaries #4
Eva and the New Owl
There's a new owl in Eva's class. Will Eva make a new friend?
In book #4, a new owl named Hailey starts in Eva's class at school. Eva is always happy to meet new people, and she's excited to make a new friend! But the new owl befriends Lucy instead of her. So Eva gets jealous. Lucy is Eva's best friend! Will Eva lose her best friend? Or can Eva and Lucy BOTH make a new friend?
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
In book #4, a new owl named Hailey starts in Eva's class at school. Eva is always happy to meet new people, and she's excited to make a new friend! But the new owl befriends Lucy instead of her. So Eva gets jealous. Lucy is Eva's best friend! Will Eva lose her best friend? Or can Eva and Lucy BOTH make a new friend?
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line called Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
80 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2016
312 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Elliott
213 books299 followersRebecca Elliott is the author and illustrator of the best-selling Owl Diaries series (Scholastic US) & over 20 picture books including Just Because, Sometimes, Naked Trevor and Zoo Girl, for which she was nominated for the 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal.
Her new series The Unicorn Diaries (Scholastic US) & her first YA novel 'Pretty Funny ' (Penguin Random House) are out now.
Her new series The Unicorn Diaries (Scholastic US) & her first YA novel 'Pretty Funny ' (Penguin Random House) are out now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
October 8, 2016
i liked it because they got to go to the movies and i like electronics. And I also liked it and felt sad for Eva cause she didn't get to be friends with the New Owl much. But at least she got to talk to her. And she was kinda nice to her. And she gave her a necklace. And she gave her a guide about Wingtropolis. And it was nice.
April 9, 2016
Eva and the New Owl is the fourth book in Rebecca Elliott's Owl Diaries series. If you've read any of the previous books in the series, you know what to expect from this one. If you're unfamiliar with the previous books, you could probably pick up any book in the series and catch up. Eva, the heroine, is an owl who keeps a diary. She has strong opinions, and, is thoroughly likable. Puns abound as do illustrations. The illustrations and puns may both be on the cutesy style. But there is something about the series that I think will appeal to young girls--think ages five to eight. Each book focuses on school life and home life with relationships between friends and family being very important.
There are two main stories in this one. First, Eva's class has started a newspaper. Eva is a reporter. Other classmates have other jobs for the paper. Second, Eva's class will be welcoming a new owl, Hailey. Eva really, really, really, really wants Hailey to be her friend. In her mind, the two are already close friends. Eva makes her a welcome necklace and a special drawing--a map. But when her plan to change seats so that Hailey can sit by her backfires--Hailey chooses to sit in Eva's old seat, the one by Lucy, Eva's best-best friend, Eva is left confused and frustrated. No matter how hard she tries, Hailey is not becoming her best friend. And Lucy and Hailey are becoming closer and closer and closer. Eva finds herself alone...
Can Eva learn an important lesson about friendship?
I think the theme of this one is true to the age of the audience. I think young girls understand all too well about the ups and downs and ins and outs of friendship. Friendship can be confusing and frustrating!
There are two main stories in this one. First, Eva's class has started a newspaper. Eva is a reporter. Other classmates have other jobs for the paper. Second, Eva's class will be welcoming a new owl, Hailey. Eva really, really, really, really wants Hailey to be her friend. In her mind, the two are already close friends. Eva makes her a welcome necklace and a special drawing--a map. But when her plan to change seats so that Hailey can sit by her backfires--Hailey chooses to sit in Eva's old seat, the one by Lucy, Eva's best-best friend, Eva is left confused and frustrated. No matter how hard she tries, Hailey is not becoming her best friend. And Lucy and Hailey are becoming closer and closer and closer. Eva finds herself alone...
Can Eva learn an important lesson about friendship?
I think the theme of this one is true to the age of the audience. I think young girls understand all too well about the ups and downs and ins and outs of friendship. Friendship can be confusing and frustrating!
February 7, 2017
Never overlook your "old" friends when trying to make "new" friends.
April 18, 2024
1. I loved the picture that they took at the movies.
2. I really loved when Eva gave Hailey the necklace.
3. I learnt that old friends and new friends are the best.
4. It's a nice book to read.
Review by Ikshvaku, 5 years old.
2. I really loved when Eva gave Hailey the necklace.
3. I learnt that old friends and new friends are the best.
4. It's a nice book to read.
Review by Ikshvaku, 5 years old.
May 26, 2019
A series offered by Scholastic's Branches imprint of early chapter books. Lots of visual support for the text, making it perfect for emergent readers and children transitioning from picture books into chapter books. The diary format produces text in a conversational style, further enhanced through the abundant use of speech bubbles. The protagonist, Eva, is a likable, creative problem-solver who likes to involve and support her friends. Each volume contains comprehension questions at the back of the book.
In this fourth title in the series, Eva is so enthusiastic about making friends with the new owl in class that she forgets about her existing best friend, Lucy. Meanwhile, Lucy and the new owl, Hailey, befriend one another, leaving Eva out. In the end, Eva learns that old friends are just as important as new ones, and all friends must be treated as special.
In this fourth title in the series, Eva is so enthusiastic about making friends with the new owl in class that she forgets about her existing best friend, Lucy. Meanwhile, Lucy and the new owl, Hailey, befriend one another, leaving Eva out. In the end, Eva learns that old friends are just as important as new ones, and all friends must be treated as special.
April 22, 2022
It was a hoot of a book. I like the bat, he is so cute ;)
July 15, 2022
Okay, so this book is about an owl named Eva who writes in a diary. What could go wrong? (Spoilers ahead)
So, Eva's class is making a newspaper and they each get jobs. This has barely anything to do with the plot, but the author wastes 2/3 of a chapter talking about it. Then Eva finds out that a new owl named Hailey will be coming to school. She's really excited, and wants to welcome the new owl.
So Eva has a busy weekend, doing homework and getting a feather-cut as well as getting a couple things ready for the new owl. She's so busy that she doesn't have time to hang out with her best friend, Lucy. Lucy completely understands that sometimes people have busy weekends. That entire sentence was a lie.
Then on Hailey's first day, Eva asks if she and Lucy can sit at different desks so Hailey doesn't have to sit next to the mean owl, Sue. That's a bit rude, but it makes since.
So Hailey winds up sitting next to Lucy, and they become friends. Not only that, but Lucy shuns Eva for the rest of the week. The reason given is mostly because Eva had a busy weekend and couldn't hang out with Lucy.
Hailey treats Eva rudely on a couple different occasions. First, when Eva gives Hailey a necklace that she made, Hailey thanks her, but then says that she can't wear it because she has to wear a new necklace from her dad all week (I don't understand this part). Come one, Hailey! If someone gives you a gift, you say thank you. Not that you can't use it. It's just basic etiquette!
Then Eva gives Hailey a guide to her town. Hailey says thank you again, but without looking at it says she doesn't need it because she's already taken a tour of the town. But Eva's guide could have other stuff that you don't know, Hailey. Never judge a guide by it's cover.
Yeah, so Lucy continues shunning Eva until Eva basically publicly announced that the situation was entirely her fault and that she's sorry. Lucy is like, okay, we can be friends again, but doesn't apologize for being mean to Eva because her weekend was busy.
I'm not sure about this book. I don't like Eva, but it makes me mad how the other characters treat her and then let her pin the blame on herself.
I don't know.
So, Eva's class is making a newspaper and they each get jobs. This has barely anything to do with the plot, but the author wastes 2/3 of a chapter talking about it. Then Eva finds out that a new owl named Hailey will be coming to school. She's really excited, and wants to welcome the new owl.
So Eva has a busy weekend, doing homework and getting a feather-cut as well as getting a couple things ready for the new owl. She's so busy that she doesn't have time to hang out with her best friend, Lucy. Lucy completely understands that sometimes people have busy weekends. That entire sentence was a lie.
Then on Hailey's first day, Eva asks if she and Lucy can sit at different desks so Hailey doesn't have to sit next to the mean owl, Sue. That's a bit rude, but it makes since.
So Hailey winds up sitting next to Lucy, and they become friends. Not only that, but Lucy shuns Eva for the rest of the week. The reason given is mostly because Eva had a busy weekend and couldn't hang out with Lucy.
Hailey treats Eva rudely on a couple different occasions. First, when Eva gives Hailey a necklace that she made, Hailey thanks her, but then says that she can't wear it because she has to wear a new necklace from her dad all week (I don't understand this part). Come one, Hailey! If someone gives you a gift, you say thank you. Not that you can't use it. It's just basic etiquette!
Then Eva gives Hailey a guide to her town. Hailey says thank you again, but without looking at it says she doesn't need it because she's already taken a tour of the town. But Eva's guide could have other stuff that you don't know, Hailey. Never judge a guide by it's cover.
Yeah, so Lucy continues shunning Eva until Eva basically publicly announced that the situation was entirely her fault and that she's sorry. Lucy is like, okay, we can be friends again, but doesn't apologize for being mean to Eva because her weekend was busy.
I'm not sure about this book. I don't like Eva, but it makes me mad how the other characters treat her and then let her pin the blame on herself.
I don't know.
February 7, 2025
So flipping cute, all the time! Probably one of the best young chapter books for kids just learning to read on their own.
Eva is a fun character. She does things differently in each book with different themes and different solutions, cause conflict happens and emotions can get high. So in this book, 4th in the series, Eva wants so badly to make friends with the new girl that she neglects the feelings of her best friend Lucy. I like how she resolves it by apologizing in a creative way, wanting to give Lucy and the new owl the prize tickets she won, and put her friend first instead of herself by the end of the book.
It's heart warming, fun. The pictures are colorful and unique and I think the wording in here that Rebecca has created, like "Flap-tastic" makes me giggle.
I highly recommend reading. I'm an adult and I had a good time reading this. I wish I was a child again when books like this make me so happy.
Eva is a fun character. She does things differently in each book with different themes and different solutions, cause conflict happens and emotions can get high. So in this book, 4th in the series, Eva wants so badly to make friends with the new girl that she neglects the feelings of her best friend Lucy. I like how she resolves it by apologizing in a creative way, wanting to give Lucy and the new owl the prize tickets she won, and put her friend first instead of herself by the end of the book.
It's heart warming, fun. The pictures are colorful and unique and I think the wording in here that Rebecca has created, like "Flap-tastic" makes me giggle.
I highly recommend reading. I'm an adult and I had a good time reading this. I wish I was a child again when books like this make me so happy.
June 24, 2023
I got this from the library because it’s just about right for my Spanish reading level currently.
I’d say this series would be okay for girls who aren’t yet ready for chapter books. Not great, but not horrible.
I’d say this series would be okay for girls who aren’t yet ready for chapter books. Not great, but not horrible.
April 16, 2021
The lesson learned in this book is important. The discussion kodi and I had was very good.
April 20, 2025
I like how Eva tried to do the best she could do and get a new friend. That’s all.
January 29, 2020
Her heart was in the right place. She just forgot her friend while trying to make another feel welcome.
January 28, 2022
My 4 year old daughter loves Owl Diaries and so do I!
September 25, 2020
3.5 stars. Book #3 for my niece. This is #4 in a series, but works fine as a standalone. Colorful, modern illustrations of owls are appealing. I think the diary format will work well for an early reader (1st-2nd grade). There's a mix of standalone sentences and short paragraphs, interspersed with illustrations. The characters didn't seem particularly distinct in terms of personality and I found it hard to distinguish between them visually, though through reading the series or over multiple readings, I think they'd become more visually recognizable. Length is good, it feels like a full story, but isn't too long.
Where this book shines is in the subtle and realistic conflict, as heroine Eva gets so excited about making friends with a new owl, she neglects and hurts her best friend's feelings, then has her own feelings hurt and must work through it. The emotion is subtle, which I think will make the story identifiable and thought-provoking as a young reader processes it. Seems a good one to talk about after.
Update: My niece loved this book, it was her favorite of all of the ones I bought her and she immediately wanted to read more books in the series.
Where this book shines is in the subtle and realistic conflict, as heroine Eva gets so excited about making friends with a new owl, she neglects and hurts her best friend's feelings, then has her own feelings hurt and must work through it. The emotion is subtle, which I think will make the story identifiable and thought-provoking as a young reader processes it. Seems a good one to talk about after.
Update: My niece loved this book, it was her favorite of all of the ones I bought her and she immediately wanted to read more books in the series.
September 20, 2017
{My thoughts} – I enjoyed the nice little lesson in this book. Eva learns that their class is getting a new classmate. She decides to put all her time and energy in trying to win the new classmates friendship. However, in doing so, she starts ignoring her best-friend Lucy.
It turns out that the new classmate and Lucy end up becoming friends and Eva starts to feel left out. However, Eva had caused Lucy to feel left out when she was planning everything for the new classmate.
In the end they all end up becoming friends together, which is even better then Eva could have imagined.
The lesson in this story is that it’s okay to make new friends, but you shouldn’t leave out or forget about the friends that you already have. It’s not nice to make your current friends feel like they are less important because you’ve decided you want to make a new friend.
I really enjoy these books. The illustrations are colorful, the stories are simple and the lessons are easy to understand. I also like that at the end of each book are discussion questions that can be used to help the reader further understand the content within the book.
It turns out that the new classmate and Lucy end up becoming friends and Eva starts to feel left out. However, Eva had caused Lucy to feel left out when she was planning everything for the new classmate.
In the end they all end up becoming friends together, which is even better then Eva could have imagined.
The lesson in this story is that it’s okay to make new friends, but you shouldn’t leave out or forget about the friends that you already have. It’s not nice to make your current friends feel like they are less important because you’ve decided you want to make a new friend.
I really enjoy these books. The illustrations are colorful, the stories are simple and the lessons are easy to understand. I also like that at the end of each book are discussion questions that can be used to help the reader further understand the content within the book.
October 31, 2017
Owl Diaries: Eva and the New Owl
Elliott, R. (2016). Owl Diaries: Eva and the New Owl. Scholastic.
A new owl will be in Eva’s class. Her name is Hailey. Eva is excited to meet Hailey and become
her friend. But, Hailey becomes friends with Lucy, Eva’s best friend. This makes Eva a bit
jealous. What should Eva do? Can her and Lucy both make a new friend?
2nd Grade
Discussion Questions:
1. What would your perfect job be for the Owl Times and why?
2. Do you agree with the advice Eva’s Mom give Eva about friendships? Why or Why not?
3. How would that make you feel if you found out your best friend invited the new girl to sleepover and not you? What would you have done after you found out?
4. What should have Eva done instead of trying to impress the new owl?
5. If you were Eva how would you apologize to you best friend for ignoring her all week? What would you say?
May 9, 2019
I started this series a while ago and I just had to pick it up again. It's such a strong series for early chapter book readers! The book is funny, heartfelt, and the illustrations are beautiful. There's a lot to enjoy here. I liked the pacing of the book and how Eva has to deal with some friendship issues here. I think it's resolved in a very idealistic way, but the fantasy works well for the type of book.
For: fans of owls; readers wanting a diary format and fun illustrations; readers looking for a book that deals with friendships, both negative and positive.
Possible red flags: catty bullying (brief); friendship angst.
For: fans of owls; readers wanting a diary format and fun illustrations; readers looking for a book that deals with friendships, both negative and positive.
Possible red flags: catty bullying (brief); friendship angst.
April 7, 2018
Eva y la nueva lechuza, de Rebecca Elliott, es especialmente divertido, porque la clase de Eva hace un periódico. Antes de trabajar como bibliotecaria, trabajé como editora de un periódico. Eva y la nueva lechuza es un libro en la serie Diario de una Lechuza.
(Eva and the New Owl, by Rebecca Elliott, is especially fun, because Eva's class makes a newspaper. Before working as a librarian, I worked as a newspaper editor. Eva and the New Owl is a book in the series, Diary of an Owl.)
(Eva and the New Owl, by Rebecca Elliott, is especially fun, because Eva's class makes a newspaper. Before working as a librarian, I worked as a newspaper editor. Eva and the New Owl is a book in the series, Diary of an Owl.)
February 23, 2022
Like the other Branches books, this has strongly visual elements with lots of colour pictures, lists, diary notes, speech bubbles etc. A strong message about friendship and thinking about others.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
January 12, 2018
Great artwork and easy for the youngest to read. The story line is interesting, too. This was a book I ordered on a book swap network for a holiday gift for a young family member. However, it arrived in January. Nevertheless this book is a nice choice for a beginning reader.
May 24, 2018
I read this out loud to my 4-year old. I would read a little of the Spanish and then translate it for her. She got a huge kick out of hearing familiar Spanish words in context ("That owl said Hola!"), and she loved the bright pictures.
May 11, 2017
My 4yo daughter loves these!
July 19, 2017
Hard lesson learned: don't ignore the best owl you have in order to win the friendship of the new owl in town. So many hurt feelings. But all is resolved by the end.
October 10, 2017
I like how Eva and Lucy become friends and Haley too!!!
November 3, 2017
Cute
This is a really cute story and compliments the series nicely. Great for beginning chapter book readers. The illustrations are fun and colorful.
This is a really cute story and compliments the series nicely. Great for beginning chapter book readers. The illustrations are fun and colorful.
November 14, 2017
Sweet story of making new friends, but keeping the old. Reminded me of my Girl Scout days.
November 27, 2017
Cute early chapter book about owls, best friends, jealously, and finding a way to get along. Colorful, playful illustrations add to these wildly popular books for beginning readers.
December 30, 2017
Yes. I am absolutely cheating to get my reading challenge completed.
The art was super cute.
The art was super cute.
May 23, 2018
A good message about true friendship and how to be a good friend.
December 6, 2018
I love owl diaries
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews