Lottie Brooks VS the ultra mean girls by Katie Kirby

This is book 8 of the Lottie Brooks series.  I have not read any of the others, so this was my first introduction to the group of friends and others.  I feel that reading the books in order would help you to understand some of the backstories and references but even without this I really enjoyed the story. 

Lottie is a funny and loyal character who experiences similar friendship issues to the reader. Lottie is in Year 8, and her friendship group is in turmoil as her best friend has joined the “mean girls” group and Lottie and her other friends are feeling the betrayal fiercely, but they have a plan to get Amber back before it is too late. Lottie is also facing some other issues with her family, and this contributes to the realness of the story, with readers either remembering or experiencing the angst of teenage life that is impacted by puberty, friendship issues and the expectation of responsibility. 

The language used is reflective of current teenage language and this adds to the diary feel of the book, as do the illustrations and cartoons that fill the pages along with the main story. 

Lottie Brooks diary series is an excellent way for readers to see that their experiences are normal and that their struggles are often felt by other tween/teenagers who are dealing with similar issues.  I really enjoyed the relatability of the story and the diary style of the writing and would recommend this to any tween/teen readers who are looking for something to make them laugh while still supporting them to see they are not alone.  I loved that Lottie is naïve and loyal to her friends and tries to always be true to herself even when she is making mistakes and getting it all wrong.  A fabulous book and a series that I would recommend investing in.

Themes: Family, Friendship, Bullying, Growing-up.

Mhairi Alcorn