Common Sense Media Review
By Kristen Breck
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Protagonist shows more depth here, but still pretty shallow.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Parents say that the book presents a mixed bag of opinions, with some noting that the main character serves as a poor role model due to her materialistic and selfish behavior, while others appreciate the relatability and humor of the protagonist's experiences. Despite concerns about negative influences and excessive consumerism, many children enjoy the series and find it fun and engaging, prompting requests for more books in the series.
- negative role model
- relatability
- fun read
- consumerism issues
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 42 kid reviews
What's the Story?
This book leaves off one day after the first book ends, just after Brandon asks Nikki to be his science lab partner. This volume focuses on the Halloween dance, which happens to be the same night Nikki has promised to work at a ballet party hosted by her little sister's friend. Readers will recognize the cast of characters here, including mean girl MacKenzie, who is in charge of the dance. When MacKenzie suddenly resigns from her job, the Halloween dance might get cancelled -- and if MacKenzie's plan works, the entire school will blame Nikki. Can Nikki and her friends figure out a way for the dance to go on? And can Nikki juggle going to the dance with her friends, secretly being Brandon's date -- and fulfilling her promise to work at the ballet party?
Is It Any Good?
The protagonist in this latest installment in the series continues to be dramatic, self-absorbed, and popularity-obsessed, but she does show some growth here. Nikki has a fleeting moment of compassion for her little sister when she freezes on stage, shows leadership by organizing the school dance -- and learns basic lessons about honesty and how to be a better friend when her best buddies discover her multiple commitments on the night of the dance. Even so, readers will have a hard time finding a character to relate to. Nikki overreacts to everything, and her "woe is me" attitude, constant irritation with her little sister, and flighty decision-making quickly grow tiring. Meanwhile, her nemesis MacKenzie remains a stereotypical enemy. Readers may find this book easy to read -- but other illustrated novels, like The Popularity Papers, will get them thinking deeper about themes like fitting in and friendship.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about self-image. Nikki's extremely self-degrading, calling herself "loser, "dork," and "pathetic." Is this something you hear your friends doing a lot? Does Nikki really mean what she says about herself -- or is she saying something else?
Lots of books, movies, and television shows talk about kids wanting to be popular. What are some other titles you can think of?
Do you think the media typically reflects how kids actually feel about the pressure to fit in -- or does it promote a shallow kind of popularity?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Rachel Renee Russell
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : June 8, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 13
- Number of pages : 288
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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