This Journal Belongs to Ratchet
by Nancy J. Cavanaugh
All Rachel, aka "Ratchet", wants is a semi-normal life and some friends. Being home-schooled and having a father that everyone thinks is crazy has left the eleven-year-old feeling isolated. In her language arts journal, Ratchet tells her story of growing up without a mother, her eccentric father's passionate attempts to protect the environment, and her struggles in trying to find friends and a sense of normal in her unstable world.
This is one of those books that I did not put down until I was done reading it! As soon as I began, I was drawn into Ratchet's story. It's a great realistic fiction that deals with friendship, fitting in, and family issues and the journal format will appeal to readers who enjoy books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Author's website: http://www.nancyjcavanaugh.com/
