Horniman, Joanne. Secret Scribbled Notebooks.

HORNIMAN, Joanne. Secret scribbled notebooks. Independent Publishers Group. 219p. c2004. 1-74114-406-X. $7.95. S

Secret Scribbled Notebooks is for readers who look up words in the dictionary to learn definitions and origins; for readers who connect their life situation to their current

reading; for readers who are so moved by a passage that they must write it down for safekeeping. It's also a great story about moving on from high school to college and from longing to acceptance. Kate O'Farrell is a 17-year-old graduate trying to make sense of her life through the pages of three notebooks. Combining dreams, streams of consciousness, and connections with books could produce a disjointed story, but there is a fluid, believable nature to her wild typewritten pages. Abandoned by her parents at an early age, Kate finally makes peace with her situation, her older sister, and Lil, who has loved her every step of the way. There is a love story, of sorts, but she doesn't let it consume her and in the end, she doesn't abandon anything to have the boyfriend. Her unconditional love is reserved for her young niece, Hetty, who proves to be a creative muse. This is a fun read, especially for those who read as writers. Heather Rader, Teacher Libn., Meadows Elem. Sch., Lacey, WA