Good book for teachers to use as an example of an unreliable narrator and for learning to read between the lines. Also a handy glossary in the back for young American readers to learn some English dialect.

The main character is an English teenager who fancies herself a deep, intellectual person and sees her family as shallow idiots, when the opposite is true. It's fun piecing together the clues from Janet's anecdotes to figure out what's really going on. However, Janet's constant cluelessness may become tiresome for readres who want someone more intelligent as a main character. It's all in fun, though, so don't take it too seriously. I would have liked to see Janet figure at least one of the subplots out herself. The growth she has is minimal and only in the last few pages. I also wish more than one subplot had been resolved - the book felt incomplete for the sake of a possible series. The voice of Janet is relatable and appealing, so it's worth checking out if you're a teen or enjoy the occasional foray into the teen world. ( )

I think I relate to janet a lot. Like how she calls her parent mad cow and other silly things,i do the same thing. She acts such like a teenager. Her days at school and how she talks about her family and friends, she reminds me how were not all perfect. Janet is just a teenager her life is not all figured out as she says. Janets aunt has a fettish for hair and her mother is single and takes care of her three kids.

Janet's humor made me laugh her tone and her voice was both hilarious and confusingly depressing at times. Her life is more on the sad side and i felt bad for her. This book is her diary and i have read many diary books but this one caught my attention. Every page wanted to make me say "wow i know what she is feeling ". At the End of the book she has a small glossary for some of her words that were in british and i actually never learned form a diary book before. Over all this book was relative, inspiring,and well was awesome. ( )

Janet is a 16 year old girl living in London who decides, along with her best friend, to enter her Dark Phase. The DP consists of getting deep and thoughtful, trying new things. Written as a personal diary, the book was an easy and interesting read. Mostly true to a teen girls life, complete with annoying brother, crazy parents, cute boys, new experiences and major drama. Fun read, crzy storyline- just like life. Janet did get on my nerves though. Although I realize she is only sixteen, she seemed too immature (and obviously not as mature as she thought). She was extremely self-centered and selfish, sometimes to the point of hypocrisy. She bugged me often, but maybe I just am around too many anvanced teens. Otherwise good beach or rainy day book. Teens will definitely be able to relate. Some references to sex, drinking and drug use. ( )

This is the diary of teenage Janet Baldry who blithely descirbes herself and the people around her as she enters her Dark Phase. Reminiscent of Adrian Mole.