Amelia Rules! True Things (Adults Don’t Want Kids To Know)

Amelia is turning 11 years old and is in for a big surprise at her birthday party, which she is dreading. Famous singer/songwriter Aunt Tanner, who hasn’t written a song in over a year, writes and sings a song for Amelia at the party. But later, Tanner fills in for Amelia’s mom as a school speaker and creates a buzz among classmates—and she even asks a teacher out on a date, which causes a huge row between Tanner and Amelia’s mother. The fight takes Amelia back to when her parents were divorcing and sets off some bad behavior by Amelia, including an embarrassing scene at the mall. Amelia finds a way to express herself in a positive manner through her journal writing assignment for English class, shown through prose. Gownley’s clear line drawings have plenty of character expression and humor in this seventh series installment—the fight scenes jump off the page with bold lettering and facial expressions. Readers will easily identify with Amelia and her growing pains. Ages 7–12. (Oct.)