Julie Tells Her Story by Megan McDonald

For Julie, her new school assignment to write about her life is exciting until she finds out that part of it includes a chapter on the worst thing that has happened in your life.   For most of her friends, it probably isn't anything that bad but Julie's parents are divorced and that is a terrible thing.  What else could she possibly claim as the worst thing in her life?  

As she struggles to determine how to write a chapter about the divorce without hurting her parents or her sister, her life is also revolving around her sisters boy troubles, basketball problems and the normal  troubles with scheduling issues between her dad's job as a pilot and their weekends together.  

Life for American Girl, Julie Albright, in 1974 San Francisco was great and exciting until her parents divorced.   This dramatic change means more changes such as moving to an apartment with her mom, leaving her dad and rabbit in their house, living above her mom's shop and moving away from her best friend, Ivy.   Ms. McDonald writes a series of 6 books for American Girl focused on Julie and her life as a changes from a 2 parent family to living with her mom, seeing her dad, and dealing with juggled schedules and so on.  

American Girl provides not only historical stories for girls but also stories that focus on issues that affect tween aged girls today.  Divorce is something that plays a part in almost every child's life today.  Whether it be divorced parents, a friend's divorced parents or other family members each child knows someone who is dealing with divorce.  Reading about Julie dealing with her families issues can provide an outlet for tween girls to help them.

Age range: 8 to 12

McDonald, M., Hunt, R., & McAliley, S. (2007). Julie tells her story . Middleton, WI: American Girl Pub..