The Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not so Fabulous Life. By Rachel Renee Russell. Illustrated by the author. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2009. 288 pages. Tr. $12.99 ISBN 978-1416980063
Summary: When her father loses his job, Nikki Maxwell is alarmed to be enrolling in Westchester County Day School for eighth grade. Her mother adds to her misery by bringing home a diary instead of an Iphone. Now she’ll never be able to fit in with her designer-clad classmates. Within the pages of her diary, Nikki confides the loneliness and angst she feels about her new school. Will her unpopularity make it impossible for her to make friends and win the new art competition?
Critical Review: Rachel Renee Russell’s “Dork Diaries” series holds the same place for girls that Jeff Kinney’s “Wimpy Kid” series does for boys. Russell accurately depicts tween’s use of technology. The book begins with Nikki lamenting the fact that her mother will not purchase her an Iphone. With the loss of her father’s job, money is incredibly tight in the Maxwell household. Nikki’s parents cannot afford to purchase designer clothes or expensive phones, making it difficult for her to fit in with her snobby classmates. Russell emphasizes the overarching need of many girls to fit in and be popular. Nikki’s friends are uniformly unpopular among their peers, but they shine through their multifaceted interests. Not only are the girls interested in typical tween pastimes such as boys and fashion, but they also enjoy reading and drawing. Nikki aspires to become an artist, and takes first place at her school’s competition. Her maturity and confidence springs off the pages.
Genre: Humor; Realistic Fiction
Reading/Interest Level: 9-13 years
Awards: Children’s Choice Book of the Year, 2010
Reviews: School Library Journal (2001, June 1)
Series: Dork Diaries
Similar Materials: Jeff Kinney’s “Wimpy Kid” series
Subjects/Themes: art; friendship; school and education; diaries; popularity; comics
Character Names: Nikki J. Maxwell; MacKenzie Hollister; Chloe Christina Garcia; Zoeysha Ebony Franklin; Brandon Roberts; Brianna Maxwell; Jessica; Violet Baker; Theodore L. Swagmire III
Brief Annotation: Nikki Maxwell embarks upon eighth grade at Westchester County Day School, and tries to
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