Skrivnosti Neli Smrkolj
(Neli's Secrets) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
Neli moves from the city to the village, which means not only a new room in a new house, but also a new school, new classmates. How will she cope in her new environment? And what will happen when two new family members come to the house? Lots of changes heralding a colorful and wild year! There are alternating ups and downs, sadness and joy, bad and good moods – the latter, of course, prevails in the end. A cheerful and lively story, packed with secrets, doubts and sadness, but also exuberance, happiness, and joy. (source: publisher)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
An engaging problem novel that is lively and humorous, it brims with optimism, which is one of its greatest assets. Through Neli’s spirited first-person narrative, we follow the many changes and adventures in her life as her family of three children moves from the city to the countryside, into an old house with a patch of land that is set to become her mother’s vegetable garden, where the children discover that their mother is expecting twins. Hard of hearing since birth, Neli is often lost in her daydreams, which makes school a struggle and leaves her vulnerable to teasing from classmates. Still, ever resilient and optimistic, she shares her thoughts and worries only with her diary. Neli recounts events from the start of summer, through the year, and up to the end of the following summer holidays, when she turns thirteen and begins grappling with weightier thoughts and life questions, which she records in her little red notebook, Secrets. The charming illustrations add a touch of whimsy to the story. The book has received the Golden Pear Quality Badge.