Book Crush Journal

Young girls in the 5th though 8th grades are among the most rabid consumers of books. Their enthusiasm for and devotion to particular authors, series, and characters can only be compared to a crush. Like a secret diary, this journal encourages girls to record their innermost thoughts — but for books, not boys. Combining the smarts and savvy of Nancy Pearl with the fun of a MySpace page, Book Crush Journal allows girls to personalize, record, expand upon, and interact with books long after they've stopped reading. It goes far beyond the usual “my favorite” this’s and that’s — there's entries for the reader’s first book crush, current book crush, character they most want for a friend, authors they’d like to meet, favorite historic time and place, potential pen names, and lists of books that are really boring, despite what everyone else says. A wonderful gift for any young lady, the journal helps develop writing ability and critical thinking while fostering a love of reading.

Librarian Nancy Pearl’s One City–One Book program at the Seattle Public Library has been replicated across the country and around the world. Kerry Colburn is a former editor for Chronicle Books. Both live in Seattle.