Mira's Diary: Lost In Paris (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I chose to give Marissa Moss’s Mira’s Diary a five star rating because throughly enjoyed reading it. I read many other books over the break and in this new semester but I thought Mira’s Diary was one of the best. It is about a young preteen girl named Mira taking place in Paris. It is a very easy read that is not long and captivates your attention. Throughout the book there is many plot changes and twists that you definitely don't expect. Mira’s character development is exceptional she starts off as pouting girl living in America to independent girl who runs all over Paris, in a different century to find and bring home her mom. Mira is strong and courageous even though she doesn’t believe it. Here’s an example:I thought the woman would freak, but she didn’t. She scowled, her perfect face blackening with a scary flash of anger. Before she could do anything, I dashed in front of her and snatched what Mr. Walrus had hidden on the altar. Like what I’d found under Degas’s dancer, it was a narrow slip of paper. I gripped it tight in my sweaty hand and turned to go. ( Moss pg 48)Mira was following a man who she saw with her mom and a woman who was following that man. The woman wanted to take the paper the man had that might have a clue where her mom is, but Mira sprinted to grab it before her, thus proving her quick thinking and bravery she begins to doubt later in the book.Mira’s Diary by Marissa Moss is not always a happy adventure. She faces many struggles and the fact that it took place in a realistic setting and dealt with the serious topic of discrimination based specifically on Religion and the falling of the French government made the reading more powerful and inspiring to the reader. Heres a piece of one of Miras many obstacles:The roar became words and as I understood what they were saying, a horrible dark fear plummeted through me. “Kill the Jews! Kill the Jews! Kill the Jews!” This wasn’t the right time for the Holocaust, and I thought pogroms were something that happened in Eastern Europe, not France. What horrible moment of the past was I trapped in? (Moss pg 78)Mira time traveled to January 1895 and was caught up in this growing crowd in front of what they called their Military college chanting Kill the Jews while a soldier accused of treason stood up front and guarded.The book is narrated by the Main character Mira and is written as it took place in the book. Mira’s Diary might fool you into thinking its just another young girls diary but it isn’t, the book is not written in a diary format but instead first person perspective. Though you may find she holds dear a certain sketchbook from the past. Mira loves her family and thats her main motive threw out the book to find her mom and bring her home to her waiting Father and older brother. I was glad when read this passage that the mere preteen Mira had a support system:“Sounds like we need to do some research,” Dad said, changing the subject. “I’ve heard the name ‘Dreyfus,’ but I don’t know anything about him really. Maybe we’ll find something that will help you or Mom. If you can get back to her.” It seemed like a pretty big if. (Moss pg 124)Her Dad and brother were completely on board, when they learned of the situation and Mira’s new found ability.I got my copy of Mira’s Diary from my Aunt for Christmas I think it was a excellent recommendation and I might even pass it on to my Aunt’s daughter Elska when she grows older. I recommend Mira's Diary to the adventure loving, explorers who may have an interest in history and architecture and time travel. They all flow together making the plot more complex and unique. Mira’s Diary by Marissa Moss shows that people should never give up on what they believe in or anything they set out to do in life. Original middle grade story with a fun premise, but most of the potential gets lost in the history-heavy story. Reading this feels more like a history lesson than a middle grade novel, and I'm 27 years old. I can only imagine how it seems to readers of its' target audience. There were several events that led me to heavily suspend my disbelief (which I understand you have to do anyway, with a time travel novel), and some things that just kind of came off as creepy. Lots of questions were left unanswered.I liked that the book was trying to teach young readers about injustice and fighting for what's right, but I don't think the lessons were executed in the right way.
What do You think about Mira's Diary: Lost In Paris (2012)?
It was a bit perhaps boring but taught me things about History which I liked :)
—barnam69
