The All-New Amelia by Marissa Moss

 

I don't read a lot of children's books but I have fond memories of this series from when I was a kid, even though I never actually owned any of the books. One of my teachers had some in her class library and I remember really relating to Amelia, who is rather adorably self-conscious and uses her journals to obsess over the things that most kids her age worry and fret over (am I cool enough? what if I like things others don't? how can I get people to like me? why are my siblings so annoying? etc.)

In this book, Amelia wants to befriend the cool British girl who has come to her school. She also gets to go on an archaeological dig to look for Native American tools and pottery. There's usually a message in these books and here, it's basically that people like you best for being yourself (although her friend is pretty mean to her about trying to explore her identity). I liked the art a lot and love how Marissa Moss captures the voice of a young girl. She is for little kids what Meg Cabot was for so many teens. Love.

4.5 out of 5 stars