This new book in diary format is a compelling look at a 12-year-old girl trying to fit in. Written by Australian author Fiona Harris, I was a bit confused as Gracie Sparks had just turned 12 and was going into high school. A little research discovered that is what they call secondary education from 7th grade and up in Australia. None of that middle school stuff down under. The emotional journey of growing up though is still ever present.

Gracie is starting her first year at Middleton Grammar. Her previous school is where she became the top of her class, and was not only popular but cool. Doing the same in 7th grade is a much tougher road to follow. None of her friends are going to her new school and the only people she knows are her obnoxious, self centered older sister, Imogen, and Margot, a boring girl from her last school.

The diary format is a perfect and engaging way to relay and understand Gracie’s struggles. The entries begin on January 18th and continue through May 29th of the next year. Her biggest challenge is finding a new group of friends. She can’t get any guidance from her mom since she passed away several years prior. A person she still misses dearly.

Girls ages 10 and up will enjoy Gracie’s story and find familiarity with the family and friend drama. Boys will be a much tougher draw. These days most seem obsessed with graphic and sports related books and may not be the best audience. In the U.S., THE EMBARRASSING CONFESSIONS OF GRACIE SPARKS is currently only in e-book format but would still make a great gift for the young person in your world.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: March 31, 2026 PAGES: 304

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE EMBARRASSING CONFESSIONS OF GRACIE SPARKS by Fiona Harris

1. Gracie loves playing her electric guitar and she is good at it. Many real artist and groups are highlighted as her favorite, making them more familiar to the intended audience of readers.
2. Amiel becomes a new friend for Gracie and is the type of friend everyone should have. Honest and supportive he becomes a big part of Gracie’s growth.
3. The character arcs for Gracie, Imogen. and many of the other female characters were crafted in an excellent way. You’ll be cheering at the results for each.
4. Gracie’s voice was authentic and always sounded like a 12-year-old girl. A difficult thing for authors to do but Fiona Harris pulled it off beautifully..
5. The positive message you get from reading the diary that it is okay to be yourself and every experience in those growing up years, whether it be good or bad, help shape the fantastic adult you have the ability to become.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fiona Harris is an award-winning author, scriptwriter, and performer with more than twenty years of experience across publishing, television, and theatre. She has written over 40 books, many of them for children. The Embarrassing Confessions of Gracie Sparks is her debut middle grade novel. (Fiona’s Website)

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