Starring Jules #3: Starring Jules (super-secret spy girl) Hardcover – February 25, 2014

My 9-year-old daughter writes:This book is great because it is so unpredictable and surprising. Jules is a great and silly character. Jules starts as a normal girl then turns into a famous actress. She has a brother who she calls Big Henry he has lots of rubber ducks.My favorite part is when she (Jules) turns into a famous actress. It is really sweet when she tries to help her friends like in the moving up play.This book was so exciting that I had to read it in two nights.I can't wait till Jules 4 !!!!!!!!

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I loved it. I would recommend this book. This book is awesome. If you haven't already read this book please do

Our daughter really enjoys the book series.

granddaughter loves these books

My 8 year old daughter loves this series!

sucks you in and you can't stop love it.

Here's why I very much liked this book - of the many elementary school heroine tales I've read, Jules has the best balance of humor, insight, moodiness, cheerfulness, snark, spirit and vulnerability. She is like a perfectly balanced version of the ideal, but real and normal, second grade kid. Usually these sorts of stories go off the rails at some point, but this book was consistently authentic, (if idealized), good humored, and entertaining.The plot is neither promising nor unpromising. As a prospective reader you read the summary and take a wait and see attitude. Jules finishes second grade and then leaves, with her family, to travel to Canada to film her first movie, in which she will be the plucky little kid who gets involved in a spying scheme. The stars will be a sports-star-turned-movie hero and a female teen idol.Now, what does our author do with that premise? Well, Jules is prone, as part of her narrative, to make lists, (which works really well to keep the action going, move the plot along, and keep the young reader up to speed on what's happening). Here's my list of what the author does well: Jules' description of the last day of second grade, her summer farewell to her BFF, and her summer escape from the sort-of mean girls is funny, sharply observed, touching, and very engaging. Jules' family is affectionately introduced, warts and all. Jules has a melt down when she learns that the family is driving rather than flying to Canada. The meltdown is realistically described, and effectively reminds us that Jules is a kid. From there, we get a funny road trip, some pretty tart observations about movie stars and film making, some movie magic, a few ups and downs for our heroine, and a charming and satisfying happy ending for everyone.My point is that while the book touches on all of the teen angst hot buttons - mean girls, feelings of dorkiness, fear of failure or inadequacy, the confusion and dismay that is part of growing up, the sometimes fleeting and sometimes solid and comforting bonds of friendship, disappointed expectations and surprising pleasures - it is all done with a light touch, a positive outlook, honest regard for the virtues of friends and family, and a fundamental sense of optimism. None of this is preachy or laid on too heavily.So, it's funny; it's appealing; it's wise and knowing, on second grader terms. A nice find.Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.