When Emily receives a pack of note cards labeled "Flashcards of My Life" as an unexpected birthday present, she uses them as inspiration to journal and to untangle her knotted life. Includes illustrations by the author. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Emily, the likable if long-winded narrator of Harper's (Fashion Kitty) novel, receives as a gift a box of fill-in flashcards labeled with topics about which she is meant to record her feelings (friends, embarrassment, regrets, pet peeves, fate, etc.). The candid girl takes full advantage of this venue to vent her quite typical middle-school angst. She grapples with the hypothetical complications of having a boyfriend, wondering how one juggles a boyfriend and friends, yet admits, "I still want one!" When she discovers that her best friend concealed the fact that she's been dating one of Emily's longtime pals, the heroine is distraught. And Emily worries about her parents' chronic bickering and is subsequently perplexed when they suddenly start getting along. Finally, devastation sets in when she hears the rumor that Andrew, the boy she has a crush on, likes another girl. (A sticky-sweet resolution occurs when Emily and Andrew share a kiss in the park.) Amidst her exhaustive ruminations, illustrated with simple line drawings and chatty charts, Emily dispenses some nuggets that readers will find familiar and comforting: "Things always look worse at night, when it's dark. Tomorrow everything will be... less bad." And, referring to a pimple on her chin: "It's amazing how something so small can ruin your day!" Harper's tale will elicit nods of recognition and a few chuckles. Ages 8-12. (Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 5-7 Like many teens, Emily has tons of friends, thinks her parents are totally uncool, and wishes for a boyfriend. For her birthday, Aunt Chester sends her a set of blank cards called Flashcards of My Life. Each card has a label like Friends, Kiss, Identity different topics to spark some writing. Emily starts on the cards and, in the process, readers learn about her. Her best 24-hour friend, Sandra, doesn't like her school friends, Sarah W. and Sarah J., leaving Emily stuck in the middle. The girls all have crushes on different boys and there's the constant swirl of rumors of who likes whom. The story is full of early teen angst being uncomfortable in one's body, not sure why parents act like they do, crying over the smallest things. The style and language are aimed at younger readers; however, some of the topics make the story a better fit for older readers. For example, the girls think their gym teacher is a lesbian because of her roommate's picture on her desk. The font appears to be handwritten, and numerous doodles, charts, and diagrams adorn the pages. An entertaining but hardly earth-shattering look at junior high life. Diana Pierce, Running Brushy Middle School, Cedar Park, TX Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 5-8. During the course of five weeks, Emily fills out a set of journaling cards entitled, Flashcards of My Life. Each card has a journal-entry prompt, such as Friends, Kiss, or Things That I Hate. Using the cards, Emily chronicles the familiar ups and downs of junior high, which may seem small to adults but are monumental to some kids: juggling friends who don't like each other; wondering if Andrew, her crush, will return her affection; and dealing with her nosy, embarrassing parents. Emily turns to her flashcards in moments of crisis (when her friend Sandra reveals she's been hiding a secret boyfriend) and times of joy (when Andrew kisses her). Readers will be attracted to Emily's appealing handwritten pages, decorated with heart and flower doodles, as well as to her young, innocent voice and chatty, confidential tone. A good little sister to high-school favorites such as Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries books. JenniferHubert. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.