Secret Diary

Reach for this book when your child is starting to navigate the awkward, bittersweet bridge between childhood and adolescence. It is an ideal pick for kids who are beginning to feel the weight of social hierarchies at school or who share an intense, sometimes messy bond with a single parent. Secret Diary follows Lou, a creative and observant young girl living with her quirky, video-game-loving mother. Together they navigate crushes, friendship shifts, and the arrival of a new neighbor. Beyond the humor, the story provides a gentle mirror for children experiencing the 'middle years' transition. It normalizes the feeling of being more mature than your parents at times, while still needing their comfort. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's inner life and the complexities of modern family dynamics without losing a sense of whimsy and charm.