Read Series: California Diaries
by Author Ann M. Martin
Maggie: Diary 1 (1997)
Because she writes the babysitter's club series, I figured this may be an easy read for some of my 7th grade girls. I couldn't get into it, and I'm 3/4 finished. The protagonist is really into singing, is an over-achiever, goal-oriented, and totally rich. She writes and revises her own songs t...
Maggie: Diary #2 (1998)
If only I could be perfect.If only I could lose 10 pounds.Then I'll be happy; then everything will be perfect.Maggie's got an eating disorder, and it's getting worse.
Dawn: Diary 2 (1998)
Dawn is no longer Sunny's best friend. She is no longer Daddy's little girl. All the old pieces are falling away. Is there anyone new underneath?
Sunny: Diary 1 (1997)
I hate my life.Despise it. That's all I have to say. Good night. Living. Dying. Run. Sunny wants to be anywhere but home. Her mom is dying of cancer. So she cuts school, hangs out at the beach, and considers leaving home...for good.
Ducky: Diary 1 (1998)
While he once considered Jay and Alex to be his best friends, Ducky begins questioning the friendships when he sees Jay sacrificing everything for popularity and Alex following paths that he himself would avoid.
Ducky: Diary 3 (2000)
Sunny up and kisses Ducky. Hoo boy. Here we are. Spoilers ahead, I'm not going to use tags.I think it's important to note that, while I'd read some of the early California Diaries several years ago, I was reading everyone's Diary 2 and 3 fresh right before reviewing, so I had not read ahead to th...
Amalia: Diary 2 (1998)
In her first California Diary, Amalia revealed the pain of dealing with her boyfriend James, who was abusive and threatening. Now she's over James. But she still feels the pain.
Sunny: Diary 3 (1999)
Since the beginning of the series, readers have known that Sunny's mother is sick. Now, Mrs. Winslow's struggle with cancer reaches its final chapter and Sunny is left with many unresolved issues. Presented in a personal, first-person journal format.
Dawn: Diary 1 (1997)
This isn't your big sister's goody-goody baby-sitters club. This is REAL. This is RAW. This is CALIFORNIA.I was so confused when I learned, at age 24 or so, that California Diaries existed--confused and delighted. You mean there is a BSC spinoff series where they are in high school? And they're d...
Ducky: Diary 2 (1998)
Ducky works hard to be the best friend possible. But when it comes to Alex, who is very depressed, Ducky doesn't seem to be able to do enough.
Amalia: Diary 3 (2000)
Amalia is hate crimed.Amid various party-related plotlines (Amalia and Isabel are planning a party for their family, Sunny and Ducky are planning a going-away party for Dawn as she prepares to spend another summer in Stonybrook), Amalia is assaulted by some drunk girls who call her racist names a...
Amalia: Diary 1 (1997)
With a unique diary page design, the "California Diaries" series is an intimate look at preteen life in the '90s. Amalia Vargas is the new girl in school, and she's fitting right in. With a new group of friends, living by a new set of rules, Amalia's life is spinning in a whole new direction--esp...
Dawn: Diary 3 (1999)
Dawn and Sunny used to be best friends. But now they're history. Still, they share one major concern: Sunny's mom, who's dying of cancer. No one else understands what they're going through. That just may be enough to reunite them.