The Dirt Diary

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Description

Now instead of spending her weekends trying out new baking recipes, Rachel has to clean the houses of some of the most popular kids in her grade. Yeah, that's bound to do wonders for her already loser-ish reputation. But being the new maid to the in-crowd puts her in just the right place to stumble on all kinds of secrets, which she records in her newly christened Dirt Diary. She never means to give up her secrets, but when the hottest guy in school pays her to spy on his girlfriend, she convinces herself it's for a good cause. She needs a plane ticket to visit her dad and make him come back home.

Reviews

""Confidently addressing a number of common tween troubles that include bullying, parental divorce, and peer pressure, Staniszewski introduces a determined eighth-grader desperate to get her separated parents back together in this humorous problem novel." " - Publishers Weekly
""Staniszewski neatly captures the pain of a shy young girl with newly separated parents . . .The quick pace and creative storyline will attract those in the mood for an undemanding, light read."" - Kirkus Reviews
""Rachel's situation and feelings ring true . . .This realistic read is likely to appeal to middle schoolers and reluctant readers." " - School Library Journal
""It's laugh-out-loud funny and one of the most fun books I've read all year." "an inspiring book for anyone who has ever been bullied."" - Justine
""Rachel's voice is entirely teen authentic in its self-centeredness . . .there is still heart and humor here, so readers looking for a heroine as flawed as themselves will commiserate with Rachel."" - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"another appealing series that promises more goofball humor blended with the real issues of early adolescence." - Booklist
"Anna Staniszewski, author, has done a magnificent job of creating a wacky yet serious character, Rachel, an eighth grader whose hokey expressions stick to your brain long after you're done reading the book... [The Dirt Diary] has secrets, heartbreak, romance, and humor-a great mix." - Writing Against the Wind

Author Bio

ANNA STANISZEWSKI lives outside of Boston with her husband and an adorably crazy dog. She was a Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and a winner of the PEN New England Discovery Award. She is also the author of the My Very UnFairy Tale Life series. When she's not writing, Anna spends her time teaching, reading, and not cleaning her house.