SYNOPSIS
That’s what she told me. The old fortune-teller at the school carnival.
I thought I was doing the right thing … with the magic journal she gave me. But nothing could prepare me for what happened next.
Or, for what I unleashed.
At a school carnival, a mysterious fortune-teller gives twelve-year-old Angela Ashby a journal and warns her to use it wisely. Nothing prepares Angela for the journal’s power—when she pours her heart onto its pages her desires come true.
She tests the journal by conjuring a gnome, a unicorn, and a farting fairy and then uses it to stop the school bullies in their tracks. But the unintended consequences alienate her best friend and puts her favorite teacher in danger of losing her job.
After she shares her deepest desire of all—that her parents get back together—her adversary steals the journal, and Angela fears she will use it to bring mayhem to the entire school if she doesn’t get it back.
Praise for THE JOURNAL OF ANGELA ASHBY
"Gardner has created a likable character in Angela, who faces off with the class bully in defense of herself and her best friend. Alternately full of sass and seriousness, Angela quickly learns that writing in her new journal may lead to some unintended consequences, some hilarious and some grave. An enjoyable tween romp about the familiar world of bullies mixed with a bit of magic, this one would be great for a class read or group discussion." ―Seattle Book Review
"The Journal of Angela Ashby is a middle grade fiction by Liana Gardner and is perfectly written for the target audience. A combination of magic, childhood troubles, social messages, and the need to think before acting is prevalent, and a lesson well ingrained into the pages, There is some good tension building, injections of humour, and character development. Angela and Mallory make a great team, perfectly complementing each other in the way close friends do. This is certainly a book I will read with my son when he is older, as I think it instills some important lessons and values,much like the old 80's and 90's cartoons used to do. While the book itself has a clear beginning and end, there are hints that a sequel may follow, and it's certainly something I would consider picking up. If you're looking for a story of friendship, childhood problems, and a healthy sprinkling of magic in everyday life, then look no further." ―K.J. Simmill, Award-Winning British Author
"The Journal of Angela Ashby by Liana Gardner is a charming story of action and consequence. Gardner presents her characters and their problems with an equal touch of magic and reality. This allows the message of the tale to come through while entertaining instead of preaching. Gardner does a great job of taking what could be a clichéd story and putting a few twists in it to keep it fresh and humorous." ―Kris Moger, Readers' Favorite
"The Journal of Angela Ashby is an engaging and fun coming-of-age story about a twelve-year-old girl who is suddenly the possessor of great power. I loved following as Angela began to appreciate her journal's powers and realized the importance of carefully considering everything she wished for.Throughout the story, Gardner addresses the issue of bullies and bullying, which is something all kids and most adults have to deal with at some point, and she shows how Angela learns to differentiate between solving the problem and descending into bullying behavior herself.Gardner also admirably addresses the stress and confusion felt by kids and tweens when their mom and dad get divorced. The Journal of Angela Ashby is a marvelous fantasy that brings up real-life issues without lowering the magic and fun potential for a moment, and Sam Shearon's illustrations really make it all come alive most brilliantly." ―Jack Magnus, Author
Excerpt:
Another thought hit. One I couldn’t stop giggling over. I grabbed the journal and scribbled quickly.
A fairy dressed in a lilac and purple dress, with short dark hair and rainbow wings stood next to Mallory and picked through the baggies of food. Mallory didn’t notice.
And I wasn’t going to tell her. I waited.
The cat, nose to the ground, hind end held high, crawled out of the bushes. One stealthy step at a time, it stalked the fairy as she checked out Mallory’s lunch. I held back a snicker.
Mallory’s nose wrinkled. “What is that obnoxious smell? Angela, did you fart?”
I broke out laughing. “No.”
But then the smell reached me and my laugh turned to a cough. Definitely foul.
“Then what is that smell? It’s horrid.” Mallory plugged her nose and her eye lit on the fairy. “What did you do, Angela?”
I took a deep breath to try to get my laughter under control. I nearly choked, which stopped the laughing.
“You’re always saying fairy farts, so I thought I’d give you real ones.”
I doubled over laughing at the look of outrage on Mallory’s face.
She got to her feet and backed away from the fairy. “Hey fairy, do you think you can keep your toots to yourself?”
The cat dodged Mallory to keep from getting stepped on. Before it could pounce on its target, the fairy drew herself up to her full height and flew into Mallory’s face.
“I do not appreciate being called fairy. Do you like it when someone calls you girl?” She hovered with arms crossed, waiting for a response.
“What’s your name, then?”
“Tatiana. And what may I call you?” Her arms dropped slightly.
“My name is Mallory and this is my friend, Angela.” Her lip curled in disgust.
Tatiana must have let another fart fly. The cat dashed over and sat next to my backpack, twitching its tale, but stayed aloof.
“How does something so small put out such a powerful, evil smell?” She pinched her nose again.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Tatiana’s cheeks turned pink.
Mallory took a few steps toward me to get away from the smell. “I thought fairy farts were supposed to smell like roses.”
I laughed so hard my side hurt and tears rolled down my cheeks. No matter where Mallory went, Tatiana followed.
“Angela, make her go away.”
I tried to catch my breath.
Tatiana yelped. “Mallory, I think that is very rude of you. I’m trying to make friends and you keep running away from me.” Her squeaky little voice sounded indignant.
“Look Stinkerbell, I don’t think this friendship is going to work. Maybe you can make friends with a skunk.”
“Stinker … Stinkerbell. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.” I literally rolled on the ground laughing.
Mallory picked up the journal and dropped it on me. “Angela, I’m serious. Write in the book and make Tatiana disappear. She doesn’t seem to be going the way of the gnome or unicorn.”
Liana Gardner is the award-winning author of 7th Grade Revolution and the Misfit McCabeseries. Daughter of a rocket scientist and an artist, Liana combines the traits of both into a quirky yet pragmatic writer and in everything sees the story lurking beneath the surface. Engaged in a battle against leukemia and lymphoma, Liana spends much of her time at home, but allows her imagination to take her wherever she wants to go.
She fostered her love of writing after reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and discovering she had a great deal in common with the character Jo. The making up of stories, dramatic feelings, and a quick temper were enough for her to know she and Jo would have been kindred spirits.
Liana volunteers with high school students through the International Trade Education Programs (ITEP). ITEP unites business people and educators to prepare students for a meaningful place in the world of tomorrow. Working in partnership with industry and educators, ITEP helps young people “think globally and earn locally.”
"Gardner has created a likable character in Angela, who faces off with the class bully in defense of herself and her best friend. Alternately full of sass and seriousness, Angela quickly learns that writing in her new journal may lead to some unintended consequences, some hilarious and some grave. An enjoyable tween romp about the familiar world of bullies mixed with a bit of magic, this one would be great for a class read or group discussion." ―Seattle Book Review
"The Journal of Angela Ashby is a middle grade fiction by Liana Gardner and is perfectly written for the target audience. A combination of magic, childhood troubles, social messages, and the need to think before acting is prevalent, and a lesson well ingrained into the pages, There is some good tension building, injections of humour, and character development. Angela and Mallory make a great team, perfectly complementing each other in the way close friends do. This is certainly a book I will read with my son when he is older, as I think it instills some important lessons and values,much like the old 80's and 90's cartoons used to do. While the book itself has a clear beginning and end, there are hints that a sequel may follow, and it's certainly something I would consider picking up. If you're looking for a story of friendship, childhood problems, and a healthy sprinkling of magic in everyday life, then look no further." ―K.J. Simmill, Award-Winning British Author
"The Journal of Angela Ashby by Liana Gardner is a charming story of action and consequence. Gardner presents her characters and their problems with an equal touch of magic and reality. This allows the message of the tale to come through while entertaining instead of preaching. Gardner does a great job of taking what could be a clichéd story and putting a few twists in it to keep it fresh and humorous." ―Kris Moger, Readers' Favorite
"The Journal of Angela Ashby is an engaging and fun coming-of-age story about a twelve-year-old girl who is suddenly the possessor of great power. I loved following as Angela began to appreciate her journal's powers and realized the importance of carefully considering everything she wished for.Throughout the story, Gardner addresses the issue of bullies and bullying, which is something all kids and most adults have to deal with at some point, and she shows how Angela learns to differentiate between solving the problem and descending into bullying behavior herself.Gardner also admirably addresses the stress and confusion felt by kids and tweens when their mom and dad get divorced. The Journal of Angela Ashby is a marvelous fantasy that brings up real-life issues without lowering the magic and fun potential for a moment, and Sam Shearon's illustrations really make it all come alive most brilliantly." ―Jack Magnus, Author
Excerpt:
Another thought hit. One I couldn’t stop giggling over. I grabbed the journal and scribbled quickly.
A fairy dressed in a lilac and purple dress, with short dark hair and rainbow wings stood next to Mallory and picked through the baggies of food. Mallory didn’t notice.
And I wasn’t going to tell her. I waited.
The cat, nose to the ground, hind end held high, crawled out of the bushes. One stealthy step at a time, it stalked the fairy as she checked out Mallory’s lunch. I held back a snicker.
Mallory’s nose wrinkled. “What is that obnoxious smell? Angela, did you fart?”
I broke out laughing. “No.”
But then the smell reached me and my laugh turned to a cough. Definitely foul.
“Then what is that smell? It’s horrid.” Mallory plugged her nose and her eye lit on the fairy. “What did you do, Angela?”
I took a deep breath to try to get my laughter under control. I nearly choked, which stopped the laughing.
“You’re always saying fairy farts, so I thought I’d give you real ones.”
I doubled over laughing at the look of outrage on Mallory’s face.
She got to her feet and backed away from the fairy. “Hey fairy, do you think you can keep your toots to yourself?”
The cat dodged Mallory to keep from getting stepped on. Before it could pounce on its target, the fairy drew herself up to her full height and flew into Mallory’s face.
“I do not appreciate being called fairy. Do you like it when someone calls you girl?” She hovered with arms crossed, waiting for a response.
“What’s your name, then?”
“Tatiana. And what may I call you?” Her arms dropped slightly.
“My name is Mallory and this is my friend, Angela.” Her lip curled in disgust.
Tatiana must have let another fart fly. The cat dashed over and sat next to my backpack, twitching its tale, but stayed aloof.
“How does something so small put out such a powerful, evil smell?” She pinched her nose again.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Tatiana’s cheeks turned pink.
Mallory took a few steps toward me to get away from the smell. “I thought fairy farts were supposed to smell like roses.”
I laughed so hard my side hurt and tears rolled down my cheeks. No matter where Mallory went, Tatiana followed.
“Angela, make her go away.”
I tried to catch my breath.
Tatiana yelped. “Mallory, I think that is very rude of you. I’m trying to make friends and you keep running away from me.” Her squeaky little voice sounded indignant.
“Look Stinkerbell, I don’t think this friendship is going to work. Maybe you can make friends with a skunk.”
“Stinker … Stinkerbell. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.” I literally rolled on the ground laughing.
Mallory picked up the journal and dropped it on me. “Angela, I’m serious. Write in the book and make Tatiana disappear. She doesn’t seem to be going the way of the gnome or unicorn.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She fostered her love of writing after reading Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and discovering she had a great deal in common with the character Jo. The making up of stories, dramatic feelings, and a quick temper were enough for her to know she and Jo would have been kindred spirits.
Liana volunteers with high school students through the International Trade Education Programs (ITEP). ITEP unites business people and educators to prepare students for a meaningful place in the world of tomorrow. Working in partnership with industry and educators, ITEP helps young people “think globally and earn locally.”
PHOTO CONTENT FROM LIANA GARDNER
TWITTER: @lkgg
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16959433.Liana_Gardner
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lianakgardner
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/liana.gardner/
- 1 Winner will receive an Award-winning 2017 MG, 7th Grade Revolution Swag (Mugs, Playing Cards, T-Shirts) by Liana Gardner.
- 1 Winner will receive a $25 Dollar PayPal/Amazon Gift Card.
That would be Pocahontas, Quite a few years ago. Thank you
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