I picked up Anna Staniszewski's The Gossip File hoping for a lighthearted, perhaps humorous, dive into the world of school gossip, secrets, and the social dynamics of middle school. The premise of a hidden file containing all the juicy details sounded like it could lead to some entertaining chaos. Unfortunately, while the concept had potential, the book largely left me feeling disconnected and underwhelmed.

The idea of a "gossip file" and its potential impact on a school community is inherently intriguing, and Staniszewski attempts to explore the consequences of rumors and secrets. There were brief flashes where the narrative hinted at genuine emotional struggles or the awkwardness of navigating social circles. For readers who enjoy very light contemporary stories focused on school life, some of the foundational elements might initially pique their interest.

However, the primary issue I encountered was the execution of both the plot and the characters. The pacing felt incredibly inconsistent; at times, it dragged endlessly with seemingly trivial details or repetitive internal monologues, while at others, it rushed through potentially significant developments without adequate build-up. The world of the school felt somewhat superficial, lacking the depth or authenticity needed to truly immerse me in the characters' daily lives or their social struggles.

The characters themselves, particularly the protagonist, struggled to truly resonate. Their motivations often felt unclear or inconsistent, making it hard to connect with their decisions or emotional journeys. The friendships and rivalries, which should have been a source of tension and relatability, often felt forced or underdeveloped, lacking genuine stakes. The dialogue, at times, felt cliché or unnatural, further hindering immersion. The plot, while having a central conflict, often relied on convenient resolutions or felt unnecessarily simplistic without a clear payoff.

Ultimately, The Gossip File felt like a book with a promising premise that didn't quite hit its mark. While it touches on themes of friendship, honesty, and the impact of gossip, the inconsistent pacing, underdeveloped characters, and often predictable plot made it a challenging and ultimately unrewarding read. It might appeal to a very specific niche of younger middle-grade readers, but for me, it simply didn't live up to its potential.

In this third part in the Dirt Diaries series, Rachel is off on holiday, to the house of her dad in Orlando, Florida. She expects a relaxing time, with her feet in the swimming pool or on the beach, and most of all a trip to Disney World. But when she has arrived, everything goes different. Her dad has a new girlfriend, Ellie, who decides that Rachel can help at the cafe of the vacation resort, as they are short staffed. hat’s when Rachel kinda sorta adopts a new identity to impress the cool, older girls who work there. Ava is everything Rachel wishes she could be. But when the girls ask “Ava” to help add juicy resort gossip to their file, Rachel’s not sure what to do…especially when one of the entries is a secret about Ellie.

Just as the previous two books in this series, The Gossip File is a fast paced and fun written story.Rachel gets herself in trouble again when she tries to get Ellie away from her dad. Her dad seems to have more time for Ellie than he ever did for Rachel, and Rachel wants to turn thing around for the better. Ofcourse her dad is not happy when he finds this out. And the boss of the cafe is not happy when wannabe-cook Rachel tries to get more customers to the always almost empty cafe by trying out some of her recipes. Because seriously who wants a cookie that tastes like garlic? In the end though, everything fall in two place. Rachel also tries to learn more about her Korean heritage from her dad, something he never talks about. If you are in again for a lot of fun after the first two books, and want to see (or read) Rachel's quirky character again, this just the book for you. Recommended!!