Dork Diaries 1: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this Wimpy Kid-like book is filled with references to pop culture, including fashion labels and designers, celebrities, TV shows, food products, makeup, and magazines. While some side characters prove to be good friends, the main character, Nikki, is fairly shallow, dramatic, and self-centered. The blend of short text with illustrations may make this book appealing to reluctant readers. Parents could use it to talk about popularity and materialism with their kids.
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User Reviews
Very Shallow, Uninteresting, Girl Rip-Off of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"
Bad for Girls!
GR8 Book
I Really Liked It!!!!
What's the story?
When Nikki Maxwell starts eighth grade at a new school, her mother gives her a diary, Nikki would rather have a new iPhone so she can impress her schoolmates, but instead, she begins to chronicle her life through words and drawings. Readers learn about Nikki's irritating little sister, her crush on Brandon, her friends Chloe and Zoey, the popular mean girl, MacKenzie, and her tattoo art project for the art competition. The book does not follow one particular plotline, but instead, meanders through the daily life dramas of angst-ridden Nikki. It does culminate with some exciting developments -- both at the art show and with her heartthrob science lab partner.
Is it any good?
This book and its sequels may draw in fans of Wimpy Kid books, but while the formula is similar, the protagonist here is not as appealing. While some kids may find Nikki's daily dramas humorous, her obsession with fashion, tech gadgets, pop stars, TV, and makeup make her come across as shallow. Even at the book's end, it is hard to know what is actually likable about Nikki. Other characters remain stereotypes: the jocks, the mean, popular blond girls, the irritating little sister, the embarrassing parents, the dorky good friends, the one honest guy. Reluctant readers may appreciate the relatively short chapters interspersed with drawings -- and the book may provide short-term light enjoyment for some tweens. But is not likely to leave a meaningful or lasting impression.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about popularity. What makes a person popular? How do material things -- like the iPhone Nikki wants -- impact status?
What do you think about the book's title? Why do we often hear stories told by outsiders, like dorks and wimpy kids? What can their stories teach us?
Book details
- Author: Rachel Renee Russell
- Illustrator: Rachel Renee Russell
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Aladdin
- Publication date: June 2, 2009
- Number of pages: 288
For kids who love coming-of-age stories
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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.