Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-Up

Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-Up Melissa Thomson

Keena's in BIG trouble. She accidentally left her journal at Tiffany's house. Tiffany says that if Keena tells, or doesn't do exactly what Tiffany says, she'll tell EVERYONE what Keena wrote about them in her journal. Keena's written some not-so-nice stuff, like how her mom's new haircut makes her look like an old lady, or how she thinks Linney's lying about staying up all night at her slumber party, and that Eric was annoying her with all his bragging about going to a Washington Wizards game...

But, going along with Tiffany's plans just makes more problems and, to top it all off, Keena's brother Brian is getting in trouble at school and saying that he wants to move in with their dad.

But, this is Keena, so she faces her problems with a good dose of humor. We get a lot more of Tiffany and Linny in this book, and man, do I really like Linny. That's a girl who has her head on straight. I also really like the relationship between Keena and her brother. They tease and fight and annoy each other, but when Keena needs him, Brian is there with good advice.

I love, love, love me some Keena Ford. I'm always throwing these books at kids (metaphorically, not literally. We have a "no throwing books in the library" rule.) It's a pretty easy sell at work-- it's about a girl who lives in the area and has pretty universal issues. Frank Morrison does a great job illustrating the books and frankly, most of my girls are sold on the covers alone. The boys need a little more selling. Luckily, she's pretty funny.

I did not know why Brian was in so much trouble for being a clown at school. Clowns are funny. I wrote that I didn't like the way Mrs. Harris talked about Brian maybe going to jail when he grew up. It was mean of her to say that, and I have never heard of anyone having to go to jail for being a clown. You might have to go to the circus if you are a clown, but I don't think you have to go to jail.*

Keena has one of my favorite voices in children's literature. I love the fact that the official website for her books is written by her, so you get things like this

...the book about my field trip is a PAPERBACK book now. A paperback book is a book that costs less money than a hardback book and it has a cover that is kind of floppy.

Keena is the perfect book to give to your Clementine fans. (Which I also pair with Ramona and Allie Finkle although those books are slightly older, not so much in content, but in reading level.)

And, if that doesn't sell you on the book, on her personal site, Melissa Thomson has a list of reasons why Keena Ford and the Secret Journal Mix-Up is like Mockingjay.

*Quoted from the ARC, so it might have changed, but I hope not.

ARC Provided by... the author, for review consideration.

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

You Won't be Bored if you Vote for Keena Ford!

Keena Ford and the Field Trip Mix-up Melissa Thomson

YAY! Keena's back and just as hilarious! This book has a student council election, an accidental partial haircut, and a hijinks filled (but realistic hijinks that will get you in trouble with your teacher, but not picked up by security) trip to the Capitol building.

Now, I've never fallen down the steps inside the capitol building, but I've been afraid of it every time I've been there (especially when I'm wearing dress shoes, which is every time I've been as an adult. Those stairs are all worn and slick stone. In a word, deadly. I'm surprised more Congress-people haven't broken their necks.) I laughed out loud when that became an issue in the book. Ok, I laughed at loud throughout most of the book. Especially the part with the thesaurus.

Everything I loved about the first Keena Ford book is true for this one, too. I also really liked the relationship between Keena and her brother. Thomson hits that balance just right of caring and loving for each other, all while teasing and driving each other up a wall. And oh, how Keena thinks it's so important to be the last person in line because Ms. Campbell calls that person the caboose? Such a stupid thing to care about, but oh!, what a realistic thing for a second grader to care about! Such early elementary school drama. I hope there are many more Keena stories to come. I love this series both as a librarian and as a reader, and the kids I work with love Keena, too.


Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Rainy Wednesdays

All it's done this week is rain. I'm busy reading, reading, reading, reading for this presentation next week. I'm probably throwing 180 books at my audience (not literally, and seriously, if you're going to the Maryland Library Association next week, please come!) I've read most of the titles, but am trying to get through as many as possible. Read Read Read Read Read!

Keena Ford and the Second Grade Mix-up Melissa Thomson

Here are 2.5 reasons to love this book off the bat:

Keena is African American, but the book has nothing to do with race. Sadly, this is rare in children's literature.

Also, her parents are divorced and, once again, it has nothing to do with the story, except that she has to wait until the weekend to get her dad's input on things.

And .5, if you work where I do. This book takes place on the Maryland/DC border, which is right where my library is. My kids *love* books that take place locally (I assume most do) and I'm really lucky that there are quite a few that take place in DC. But, to get one that takes place in Maryland, just outside DC? EVEN BETTER.

Keena's excited to be starting a new school year, but disappointed to learn that boys will be in one class and girls in another! She won't be with her best friend Eric! Luckily, Keena has the best second-grade teacher ever. On everyone's birthday, they'll get a special crown and a cake! When she has to write down her birthday on the first day of school, Keena decides to try the new numbers only method that her brother taught her. Only... Keena messes up. She says her birthday is on 9/2 instead of 2/9, so her teacher is planning her special day for TOMORROW. Keena knows she should say that her birthday's in February, but she just... can't.

Big complications and hilarity ensue. A great book at the early reading level about friendship, lying, parents, and school.