Julep O'Toole series
Confessions of a Middle Child
BOOK 1
How do you get noticed in a world where everyone else is plaid, polka-dotted, and tiger-striped and you're beige? That's how Julep feels: bland, boring, and invisible. To make matter worse, Julep's siblings seem to have it all figured out.
When the most popular girl in school invites Julep to a Halloween party, Julep can hardly believe her luck. Finally, her chance to get noticed and join the 'in' crowd! But a disastrous event forces Julep to choose between the girl she longs to be and the girl she knows she truly is.
MISS INDEPENDENT
BOOK 2
How do you convince your mom you're old enough to wear make-up, choose your own clothes, and be responsible with a cell phone? That's all Julep wants - just a little freedom to stretch her wings, but every time she tries her mother seems to be right there to clip her wings. When what was supposed to be a dream shopping trip with her mom turns into a humiliating nightmare, Julep begins to wonder if she'll ever connect with her mom.
An invitation for a week away from home gives Julep the independence she craves. It also gives her an idea. Maybe, just maybe, there's a chance for mother and daughter to find their way back to each other.
what i Really want to do is direct
BOOK 3
And the Oscar goes to . . .
The promise of extra credit to improve her English grade, prompts a reluctant Julep to try out for the school play. After flubbing her audition (so humiliating!) Julep ends up on the stage crew painting trees (even more humiliating!). When fate takes an unexpected turn and Julep ends up leading the cast as the assistant director, she has found her calling! Yet, just days before the play opens, everything begins to unravel. It'll take plenty of courage, determination, and ingenuity to pull it all off, but if anyone can do it, count on spunky, sassy Julep!
"This realistic, well-drawn combination of scene, character, and plot strongly reveals the heart of a tween coming to grips with herself, her world and her family."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Julep's voice is bright, witty, and thoughtful, and her story will ring true for many a budding adolescent." - School Library Journal
Art by Dan Yaccarino © 2021
" . . . Julep's perky diary entries, peppered throughout the narrative, bring intimacy to the wry, often heartfelt story, which stresses that growing up doesn't necessarily mean growing apart from family."
- Booklist
"Ms. Trueit has created a truly warm, funny, and honest character that readers will come to really care about."
- Missouri State U. Libraries
"Trueit displays a deft hand for zingy comic writing that easily hits her target audience. Typical middle school types, including faculty, get just a touch of extra eccentricity in this non-stop romp through insecurity, bravado, and sheer panic ... Pure fun."
- Kirkus Reviews
