The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris

Gracie Sparks has just turned 12, so why does her family treat her like she's five and allergic to independence? At least she'll be starting Middleton Grammar soon, where she's sure to continue her streak of being cool, popular and the top of her year.

Only Gracie is about to discover that becoming popular in high school isn't that simple. Especially when the only people she knows are her older sister Imogen and the boring Margot.

The debut middle grade novel of author Fiona Harris, this is a story about growing up, standing out and fitting in.

The story is told through Gracie's diary entries which I wasn't such a fan of personally. Not only is the date included, but Gracie uses time within each entry. Some just didn't feel realistic, with some entries just a minute or two apart. Diary entries also mean the reader only gets one person's point of view, which made some of the conflicts drag out and get a little tedious.

However, a diary entry format does allow readers to get intimate with Gracie, taking readers into some of her deeply personal moments.

The story covers some pretty heavy themes including the death of a parent and bullying. Harris handles the topics gently and realistically, giving her characters space to make mistakes, fail and ultimately grow. Gracie is full of heart and humour and a lot of honesty. 

While well out of the target market, Harris took me straight back to my own experiences as a young teenager and got me thinking deeply about what my tween daughters are about to experience. Younger readers will relate to almost every experience Gracie has. Through her diaries, readers will also learn some important truths about life - including that you never know what people are going through, about empathy, compassion and friendship, about how to move through the world with grace, and how we all experience awkward moments. 

From hairy toes to high school horrors, growing up is a tricky transition for anyone. The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks puts growing up centre stage and will resonate with and offer comfort to younger readers.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Affirm Press