Talia Talk
Kid turns to podcasting to find her voice and dish advice.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that there's nothing to worry about in this book. It covers the topics of parental death, friendships, mean girls, and privacy.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Talia has enough on her plate. Her mother is the co-host of a talk show and shares all of Talia's most embarrassing moments with her audience every morning. Nothing is safe or off-limits really, but Talia is starting 7th grade and she can't have everyone knowing all her dirty laundry, but what's a girl to do? On top of mom drama she's got friend drama, too. Her best friend Bridget is loud, bossy, and sometimes really embarrassing. Her former bff's Meredith and Brynne are no longer talking to her and Bridget, and she doesn't know why. Now somehow she's a part of her own morning show; is this how middle school is supposed to work?
Is It Any Good?
Author Christine Hurley Deriso does a great job capturing the woes of middle school with a new twist. Instead of embarrassing things happening to Talia, Talia has to deal with having a mother who famously broadcasts her worst moments on television. That's a level of embarrassment that many kids couldn't begin to fathom. Deriso also covers timeless topics of friendship and dealing with friendships that change as you grow older.
There are some great moments that will keep readers laughing and that connect the reader to the characters in the book. One of Talia's columns talks about how dorky her mom can be when she acts as a school volunteer wearing holiday sweaters using old slang and getting kid's names wrong -- almost every kid can identify with that. Overall TALIA TALK is a fresh, funny book that both kids and parents will relate to. Kids may even learn a few lessons in the process.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how friendships change. Are you still friends with kids you were friends with in second or third grade? Why or why not? How do relationships change as people grow up? What are some of the good things Talia learned about friendship?
Book Details
- Author: Christine Hurley Deriso
- Genre: School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: November 11, 2008
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
- Number of pages: 192
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
Likely Story
Light, soapy summer read about a teen soap writer.
-
Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf
Seventh grader documents her struggles in clever scrapbook.
-
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Big dose of sibling rivalry in very funny sequel.
-
Top 8
Cautionary teen tale of gossip and social networking sites.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate