"A Peek Into Melanie's Diary as She Travels to Italy"

The following review was contributed by:LILY AZERAD with the assistance of NORM GOLDMAN

The whimsical jacket of the book The Diary of Melanie Martin: How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo, and The Leaning Tower Of Pizza illustrated by Marci Roth, informs the reader that Melanie has embarked with her family on an exciting trip to Italy. What's more, the reader is given the opportunity to peek into Melanie's diary without any guilt feeling.

Author Carol Weston has created a refreshingly normal family with delightful characters.

Mom is a teacher obsessed with art, and Dad is grumpy and stressed. Matt the brat, Melanie's brother, is being just that, her annoying little brother. And Melanie of course, the author of the diary, is a ten-year old busy body.

Carol Weston's wit keeps the reader smiling, if not laughing out loud. Learning a new language (Italian) becomes somewhat of a game for her readers. Weston has "invented" new phonetics by associating words. How can you not remember the name Michelangelo, when it is broken down as Michael Ann Jello?

Every chapter is enhanced with little doodles and handwritten notes.

Carol Weston's simple and clear style keeps the momentum of the story constantly in motion. She never toys with her characters' emotions, rather she laughs with them and not at them!

In addition, her readers are given a few art lessons. Giggling and laughing at "nude" pictures will make them even more memorable.

Ten-year olds, as well as seven year olds, can readily relate to sibling rivalry. There is much to be learned from reading this delightful little book, and a great deal to be felt.

It is certainly an excellent read or "eccelente" (Aye che len tey), as they say in Italian! Can't wait for the next Melanie's diary!

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Bookpleasures
Posted October 17, 2003

How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo, and The Leaning Tower Of Pizza

Summary

Dear Diary, You will never in a million years guess where I'm going....Italy! In Europe!! Across the ocean!!! I even have a passport. It's really cool, except I'm squinting my eyes in the photo, so I look like a dork. At least that's what my brother said. I call him Matt the Brat. You would too. Trust me....

When Melanie Martin heads to Italy on a family vacation with her art-obsessed mom, her grumpy dad, and her little brother, she has no idea what she's in for. As she discovers Michelangelo, Italian ice cream, and poetry, she also realizes how much her family means to her. Maybe she won't trade them in after all.