The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
	The Bulletin Dozen is a monthly theme-based booklist available as an online-only Bulletin feature. Since we're awfully fond of bakers here at the Bulletin, we thought we'd adopt their philosophy of generosity and throw in an extra one or two when we have them to offer--so don't expect an even dozen. Please feel free to copy, download, or link to these lists. We ask only that you cite the source. See the archive for lists from previous months.
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Dear Diary:  A Journal Dozen --selected by Kate Quealy-Gainer, Assistant Editor Who doesn't want to get a sneak peek into someone else's diary?  This month's dozen features books in journal format – some funny, some heartbreaking, but all offer the unique opportunity to see the world through another person’s (or creature’s) point of view.

• Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian; illus. by Ellen Forney. Little, Brown, 2007. Gr. 7-10
  After Junior decides to transfer from the high school on the rez’ to the nearest all white school, he becomes an outcast in both places and must negotiate his cultural heritage and hopes for the future. (BCCB 10/07)
   
  
  
• Amato, Mary. Please Write in This Book; illus. by Eric Bane. Holiday House, 2006. Gr. 2-5
  When Mrs. Wurtz leaves a blank journal in the Writer’s Corner for her students to write in, the result is a collective memoir of the classroom experience and includes an epic battle of the sexes and eventual reconciliation. (BCCB 03/07)
  
  
  
• Boas, Jacob, ed. We Are Witnesses: The Diaries of Five Teenagers Who Died in The Holocaust. Holt, 1995. Gr. 8-12
  The diaries of five teenagers from vastly different backgrounds are excerpted here to give an intimate and compelling look at each individual’s struggle through the horrors of the Holocaust. (BCCB 09/95)
  
  
  
• Creech, Sharon. The Wanderer; illus. by David Diaz. HarperCollins, 2000. Gr. 5-8
  Sailing across the Atlantic aboard the Wanderer, thirteen-year old Sophie and her cousin Cody struggle with their own journeys toward self-discovery as they battle cramped quarters, rough seas, and family secrets. (BCCB 04/00)
  
  
  
• Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a Worm; illus. by Harry Bliss. HarperCollins, 2003. Gr. 2-4
  Photos and mementos accompany the giggle-worthy diary entries of the plucky, baseball-playing Worm to present a complete picture of a day in the life of this creepy crawly. (BCCB 10/03)
  
  
  
• French, Jackie. Diary of a Wombat; illus. by Bruce Whatley. Clarion, 2003. 5-8 yrs
  In this delightful picture book, a rotund little wombat recaps his action packed week of eating, sleeping, and bothering his new human neighbors. (BCCB 11/03)
  
  
  
• Garfinkle, D.L. Storky: How I Lost My Nickname and Won the Girl. Putnam, 2005. Gr. 7-10
  Gawky and bird legged, Mike has low expectations for his freshman year but nonetheless records all the angst, peer pressure, and social awkwardness of adolescence as he navigates the perils of high school. (BCCB 05/05)
  
  
  
• Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days; illus. by James Noel Smith. Bloomsbury, 2007. Gr. 6-9
  As a maid to the captive Lady Saren, young Dashti describes their attempts to survive as supplies dwindle in their tower prison and makes plans for a harrowing escape.  (BCCB 10/07)
  
  
• Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's journal; written and illus. by Jeff Kinney. Amulet, 2007. Gr. 6-8
  Greg is convinced he is an unrecognized genius and so chronicles his (often failed) attempts to get his bratty older brother, controlling parents, and ignorant classmates to appreciate his brilliance. (BCCB 06/07)
  
  
• Ma, Yan. The Diary of Ma Yan: The Struggles and Hopes of a Chinese Schoolgirl; ed. by Pierre Haski; tr. from French by Lisa Appignansi; tr. from Mandarin by He Yanping. HarperCollins, 2005. Gr. 5-8
  An impoverished peasant girl, Ma Yan is the first in her family to attend school but she must still battle hunger, guilt, and failure if she is to bring honor to her parents. (BCCB 09/05)


• Pfeffer, Susan Beth. Life As We Knew It. Harcourt, 2006. Gr. 6-9
  Miranda’s life goes from everyday ordinary to a struggle for survival when a large meteor knocks the moon out of orbit and the resulting tsunamis and earthquakes devastate Earth. (BCCB 12/06)
  

This page was last updated on September 1, 2009.