📖 Overview
Julia DeVillers is an American author known for writing children's and young adult literature. Her most notable work is "How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller," which was adapted into the Disney Channel Original Movie "Read It and Weep."
DeVillers has written several successful book series, including the Liberty Porter, First Daughter series about a young girl whose father becomes president, and the Maddie Ziegler series co-authored with the dance performer. She has also collaborated with her twin sister Jennifer Roy on multiple books, including the Trading Faces series.
Her bibliography spans various genres and age groups, from graphic novels like the UltraSquad series to practical guides such as "GirlWise" and "The College Dorm Survival Guide." DeVillers holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Ohio State University and has lived in various locations, including Tbilisi, Georgia, though she now resides in New Albany, Ohio.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently rate DeVillers' books between 3.5-4.2 stars on Goodreads and Amazon, with her middle-grade fiction receiving the highest ratings.
What readers liked:
- Relatable characters and realistic dialogue for the target age group
- Humor that appeals to both children and parents
- Clear writing style that keeps younger readers engaged
- Positive messages about friendship and self-confidence
- The Liberty Porter series gets specific praise for making politics accessible to children
What readers disliked:
- Some find the plots predictable
- Older readers note the books can be simplistic
- A few reviews mention character development could be deeper
- Some parents felt certain books were too focused on social media/popularity
Ratings breakdown:
- "How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller" - 3.8/5 (Goodreads, 2,100+ ratings)
- Liberty Porter series - 4.1/5 average (Amazon, 500+ ratings)
- Trading Faces series - 3.9/5 (Goodreads, 800+ ratings)
- GirlWise - 3.7/5 (Amazon, 300+ ratings)
Common reader comment: "Perfect for reluctant readers aged 8-12"
📚 Books by Julia DeVillers
How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller - A 14-year-old girl's private journal accidentally gets published and becomes a bestseller, leading to unexpected consequences.
Trading Faces - Identical twins Emma and Payton switch places at their new middle school but discover maintaining the deception is harder than expected.
Liberty Porter, First Daughter - A nine-year-old girl navigates life in the White House after her father becomes President of the United States.
GirlWise - A practical guide for teenage girls covering topics from friendship and school to self-esteem and social situations.
The College Dorm Survival Guide - A comprehensive handbook providing practical advice for students transitioning to college dormitory life.
Take Two - Two girls who look identical but aren't twins meet at a summer performing arts program and discover an unexpected connection.
UltraSquad - A graphic novel series following a group of young superheroes as they develop their powers and protect their city.
Trading Faces - Identical twins Emma and Payton switch places at their new middle school but discover maintaining the deception is harder than expected.
Liberty Porter, First Daughter - A nine-year-old girl navigates life in the White House after her father becomes President of the United States.
GirlWise - A practical guide for teenage girls covering topics from friendship and school to self-esteem and social situations.
The College Dorm Survival Guide - A comprehensive handbook providing practical advice for students transitioning to college dormitory life.
Take Two - Two girls who look identical but aren't twins meet at a summer performing arts program and discover an unexpected connection.
UltraSquad - A graphic novel series following a group of young superheroes as they develop their powers and protect their city.
👥 Similar authors
Meg Cabot writes books about young girls navigating school, friendship, and unexpected life changes similar to DeVillers' protagonists. Her Princess Diaries series and middle-grade novels feature diary-style narratives and humor comparable to DeVillers' work.
Jenny Han creates stories centered on sister relationships and coming-of-age experiences that mirror DeVillers' themes. Her To All the Boys I've Loved Before series and The Summer I Turned Pretty showcase family dynamics and personal growth narratives.
Ann M. Martin developed the Baby-sitters Club series focusing on enterprising young girls and their friendships. Her writing style and focus on realistic pre-teen experiences align with DeVillers' approach to middle-grade fiction.
Rachel Renée Russell writes the Dork Diaries series featuring diary entries and illustrations about middle school life. Her books share similar formats and themes with DeVillers' work, including friendship challenges and school experiences.
Sarah Mlynowski creates stories about magic, family relationships, and school life in her Whatever After series. Her mix of reality and fantasy elements, combined with sister relationships, parallels aspects of DeVillers' writing style.
Jenny Han creates stories centered on sister relationships and coming-of-age experiences that mirror DeVillers' themes. Her To All the Boys I've Loved Before series and The Summer I Turned Pretty showcase family dynamics and personal growth narratives.
Ann M. Martin developed the Baby-sitters Club series focusing on enterprising young girls and their friendships. Her writing style and focus on realistic pre-teen experiences align with DeVillers' approach to middle-grade fiction.
Rachel Renée Russell writes the Dork Diaries series featuring diary entries and illustrations about middle school life. Her books share similar formats and themes with DeVillers' work, including friendship challenges and school experiences.
Sarah Mlynowski creates stories about magic, family relationships, and school life in her Whatever After series. Her mix of reality and fantasy elements, combined with sister relationships, parallels aspects of DeVillers' writing style.