Dork Diaries: Tales From a Not So Fabulous Life

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

Author Website: http://www.dorkdiaries.com/

Brief Annotation: Nikki Maxwell embarks upon eighth grade at Westchester County Day School, and tries to

The Invisible Rules of Zoe Lama

The Invisible Rules of Zoe Lama. By Tish Cohen. Penguin, 2007. 208 pages.  Tr. $15.99 ISBN 978-0-525-47810-2

Summary: Crowned as a guru by a recess monitor when she dispelled a bully during kindergarten, the advice of Zoe Monday Costello continues to inspire countless students and teachers. Zoe’s advice is readily accepted by her seventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Patinkin, on everything from picture days to dealing with obstreperous students. Others run to Zoe in the hall, questioning her about friendships, boys, and fashion. Zoe is also called upon to help with her grandmother deal with her Alzheimer’s, and to keep this information from her overworked single mother. She is adamant that she will not allow her grandmother to live in a nursing home. However, she’s worn thin with homework, counseling, and her involvement as the chairgirl for the Winter Dance Committee. Does she have what it takes to balance this incredible workload?

Critical Review: Zoe’s rules will have tween girls laughing non-stop. Her compassion and empathy for others makes her a superb role model, as does her appreciable confidence and self-esteem. Tish Cohn deals with difficult issues like Alzheimer’s disease with aplomb, in a manner that speaks to young readers. Zoe’s grandmother is eventually placed in a nursing home, however, Zoe’s mother patiently explains the necessity of this step and the nature of her mother’s disease. Tweens with unconventional (i.e. single parent families) will relish Cohen’s heroine and will look for other books within the series.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Reading/Interest Level: 11-14 years

Reviews: Booklist (2007, October 1); School Library Journal (2007, August 1)

Series: Zoe Lama Series

Similar Materials: Tish Cohn’s The One and Only Zoe Lama; Marrissa Moss’s “Amelia” series

Subjects/Themes: multigenerational families; single-parent families; Alzheimer’s disease; school and education; interpersonal relations; parents; grandparents; mothers and daughters; friendships

Character Names: Zoe Monday Costello; Susannah Barnes; Laurel Sterling; Riley Sinclair; Mrs. Patinkin; Massie Robbins; Brianna Simpson; Smartin Granitstein

Author Website: http://www.tishcohen.com/

Brief Annotation: A seventh-grade girl functions as her school’s guru, and also compassionately contributes her senile grandmother’s well being.

Discovering Pig Magic

Discovering Pig Magic. By Julie Crabtree. Milkweed, 2008. 144 pages. Tr. $16.95 ISBN 978-1571316837

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Matilda and her friends Ariel and Nicki find a magic book, and follow a magical recipe to remove problems from their life by burying a ceramic pig, an antique spoon, and a mother-and-daughter doll. Matilda worries about her agoraphobic mother, and longs for the day when her long-departed father will return. Ariel dreams of becoming a famous chef, and Nicki longs for the day when a cure will solve her brother’s chromosomal abnormality. Will the magical spell help keep their friendship alive?

Critical Review: The magical formula initially unleashes a storm of problems. Matilda’s mother’s agoraphobia becomes more severe, and Nicki’s brother’s disorder becomes critical. Ariel is publically humiliated for unknowingly entering another’s recipe in a chef contest. Fortunately, the girls’ problems are only temporary. Niki’s brother survives the traumatic, near-death experience, and Matilda’s mother becomes better. The girls learn that there is no magical solution that will resolve their dilemmas. It is by supporting each other and individual agency that the girls are able to successfully confront their problems and overcome them.

Genre: Fantasy; Humor; Friendship

Reading/Interest Level: 8-13 years

Awards: Milkweed Prize for Children’s Literature, 2008

Reviews: School Library Journal (2009, June 1)

Similar Materials: Ingrid Law’s Savvy; Fanny Billingsley’s Well Wished

Subjects/Themes: friendship; school and education; fantasy and magic

Character Names: Mattie (Miss M.); Ariel; Nicki

Author Website: http://www.julie-crabtree.com/books.html

Brief Annotation: Three tween girls learn a magical lesson when they cast a spell to solve their problems.

The Bad Beginning

The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events #1. By Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. Harper Collins, 1999. 162 pages. Tr. $12.99 ISBN 978-0064407663

Summary: The three Baudelaire children are now orphans, their parents having perished in the house fire. They stay for a while with the well-meaning Poe family, however, they soon long for a place of their own. Their banker and family friend, Mr. Poe, bequeaths Violet, Klaus, and Sunny to a distant cousin, Count Olaf. Olaf’s home is in complete disarray, and he forces the children to work for him by cleaning, cooking, and acting in his company’s theatricals. Their kind-hearted next-door neighbor, Justice Strauss, allows them free reign of her library, however, can she save them from their evil-hearted cousin?

Critical Review: Lemony Snicket’s “Series of Unfortunate Events” has garnered a great deal of praise. Critics have compared him to Charles Dickens or Roald Dahl. My feelings are torn: it is clear that Mr. Snicket is an extremely talented writer, however, his book was far too depressing to me. I cannot imagine reading this book as a child, and would only recommend the series with caveats. The Bad Beginning is a wonderful book to supplement tween’s vocabularies, without it feeling like a lesson. However, a particular audience is needed, one that will not become disgruntled to find that nothing positive happens in the lives of the Baudelaire children under the pen of Lemony Snicket. Just in this book alone the children face a number of extremely unpleasant situations, starting with the death of their parents. With the exception of their neighbor, who desperately wanted to adopt them, they are without caring adults. Their uncle abuses them, and incompetent Mr. Poe is of no help. Not only were the children unwanted and unloved, they were abused by their supposed guardian who was only after their money. Attempts to find others to help them escape their predicament were unfound, which tore at my heartstrings. I cannot fathom reading another morsel of this series, if the series is a continuation of negativity, without a morsel of sunshine in the mix.

Genre: Humor

Reading/Interest Level: 8-12 years

Reviews: Kirkus Reviews (1999, July 15); Publisher’s Weekly (1999, September 6); Library Journal (1999, November 1)

Series: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Similar Materials: Roald Dahl’s The Witches and Matilda; Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations; Lemony Snicket’s following books in “ A Series of Unfortunate Events”: The Reptile Room; The Wide Window; The Miserable Mill; The Austere Academy; The Ersatz Elevator; The Vile Village; The Hostile Hospital; The Carnivorous Carnival; The Slippery Slope; The Grim Grotto; The Penultimate Peril; The End 

Subjects/Themes: orphans, child abuse, brothers and sisters, plays, acting, death

Character Names: Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire; Mr. and Mrs. Poe; Edgar and Allan Poe, Count Olaf, Justice Strauss

Author Website: http://www.lemonysnicket.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.bretthelquist.com/

Booktalking/Programing Idea: Encourage children to read the books, and then watch the movie (http://www.unfortunateeventsmovie.com/nonflash.html). Compare the book to those of Roald Dahl and Charles Dickens, and perhaps even Lois Lowry.

Brief Annotation: Three children deal with the death of their parents, and adjust to life with their wicked, abusive relative.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Ramona Quimby, Age 8. By Beverly Cleary. Illustrated by Tracy Dockray. Harper Collins, 1981. 208 pages. Tr. $16.99 ISBN 978-0-688-00477-4

Summary: The sixth book in the Ramona Quimby Collection, Ramona Quimby, Age 8, follows Ramona as she embarks upon the third grade. Ramona is excited to be starting at a new school, and to be among the oldest students. It is also special for Ramona to be apart from her older sister, Beezus, who is starting middle school. However, Ramona’s school year doesn’t work out exactly as planned. She hits a raw egg against her head during lunch, and becomes the school laughing stock. Danny, a classmate, steals her eraser and is a perpetual menace throughout the school year. Family troubles also cause some tension, and Ramona’s feelings towards her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Whaley, are mixed. 

Critical Review: The accompanying pictures and large text make this a novel that some tween readers will cherish. This warm-family tale ends with Ramona and her family being bought dinner by a total stranger, who decides that they are the epitome of a wonderful family. Tweens understand that nothing is perfect, but that warm, loving families will always be able to weather hardship by binding together. Ramona is forced to make some sacrifices. Her family depends on her to cheerfully acquiesce with four-year-old Willa Jean’s every plan, so that Mrs. Kemp will continue to babysit Ramona while her mother works. As an avid reader, Ramona especially covets Sustained Silent Reading time, however, her feelings towards her teacher dramatically alters when she hears Mrs. Whaley call her a troublemaker and “show-off”. Not wanting to cause extra trouble for her teacher, Ramona throws up during class, and feels especially sorry for herself. Time at home helps, however, and Ramona returns to school feeling confident and rejuvenated. Ramona’s courage, integrity, humor, and positive nature are assets that other tween girls will want to emulate.

Genre: Realistic Fiction; Humor

Reading/Interest Level: 8-12 years 

Awards: Nominated for the Newbery Award, 1982

Reviews: Booklist (December 15, 1989)

Series: Ramona Quimby Collection

Similar Materials: The following books in the Ramona Collection: Beezus and Ramona; Ramona and Her Father; Ramona and Her Mother; Ramona Forever; Ramona the Brave; Ramona the Pest; Ramona’s World

Subjects/Themes: Financial Hardship, Families, Schools

Character Names: Ramona Quimby; Beezus (aka Beatrice) Quimby; Mr. and Mrs. Quimby; Mrs. Kemp; Willa Jean; Mrs. Whaley

Author Website: http://www.beverlycleary.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.tracydockray.com/

Brief Annotation: We follow Beverly Cleary’s award-winning character, Ramona Quimby, into third grade. 

Beezus and Ramona

Beezus and Ramona. By Beverly Cleary. Illustrated by Tracy Dockray. Harper Collins, 1955. 160 pages. Tr. $16.99 ISBN 978-0688210762

Summary: It seems that whatever Beatrice Quimby does, she cannot get away from her annoying little sister, Ramona. Ramona follows her big sister to the library and art class, and wreaks havoc at home by butting into chess games. Whatever can Beatrice do to rid herself of her pesky sister? Or is she simply stuck with her?

Critical Review: Although more than fifty-years old, this story continues to enchant all those who suffer from an annoying little brother or sister. In the end of the story, Beatrice realizes that her feelings towards Ramona are normal, and grows to love her little sister. Her Aunt Beatrice explains that, as a young girl, she also nurtured similar feelings towards her younger sister (i.e. Beatrice’s mother), but that these feelings didn’t prevent her from developing a warm-relationship later in life.

Genre: Friendship; Humor; Realistic Fiction 

Series: The Ramona Collection

Reading/Interest Level: 8-12 years

Author Website: http://www.beverlycleary.com/

Similar Materials: The following books in the Ramona Collection: Ramona and Her Father; Ramona and Her Mother; Ramona Forever; Ramona Quimby, Age 8; Ramona the Brave; Ramona the Pest; Ramona’s World

Subject/Themes: Imagination; Friendship; Sisters; Family life

Character Names: Beatrice Quimby (aka Beezus) and Ramona Quimby; Mr. and Mrs. Quimby; Aunt Beatrice; Henry Huggins; Ribsy

Brief Annotation: Nine-year old Beezus deals with her pesky little sister, Ramona, in Beverly Cleary’s classic novel for tweens.

Booktalking Ideas: I would pair the novel with the movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493949/) and ask students to compare/contrast the two. Beezus and Ramona can be used to discuss family experiences, especially having a younger brother or sister. Tweens can contribute whether Beezus’s trials mesh with their experiences, and can receive/exchange advice on how to deal with difficult younger siblings. 

The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys. By Lois Lowry. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2008. 176 pages. Tr. $16.00 ISBN 978-0618979745

Summary: Lowry’s tale is a modern twist on the old-fashioned orphan story. The Willoughby children – twelve-year-old Timothy, ten-year-old twins Barnaby and Barnaby, and six-and-a-half-year-old Jane – are so repulsive to their parents that they decide to abandon them while on a trip to Switzerland. Their relationship with Commandeer Melanoff, the misanthropic, multi-million-dollar candy inventor, and Nanny, offers readers a pleasant, laughter-filled story.

Critical Review: Lowry’s tongue-in-cheek novel holds appeal to even the youngest of readers. She brilliantly parodies old-fashioned gothic and orphan stories, including Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, P. L. Travers’s Mary Poppins, The Bobbsey Twins Series, L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events Series. Tweens’ vocabularies will be greatly expanded through reading this engaging novel. A glossary is appended.

Genre: Humor

Reading/Interest Level: 8-14 years

Reviews: Voice of Youth Advocates (August 1, 2008)

School Library Journal (August 1, 2008)

Booklist (February 15, 2008)

Publishers Weekly (February 4, 2008)

Author Website: http://www.loislowry.com/

Similar Materials: Polly Horvath’s My One Hundred Adventures (2008); Lemony Snicket’s The Austere Academy: A Series of Unfortunate Events (Book 5, 2008)

Subject/Themes: Family, Siblings, Orphans and Foster Children

Character Names: Timothy (the eldest child, who acts as family leader); Barnaby A and Barnaby B (ten-year old twins, who are generally referred to as A and B); Jane (incredibly shy, Jane is the youngest Willoughby); Commandeer Melanoff (a retired candy maker, who lives alone and laments the loss of his son); Baby Ruth (a foundling anonymously gifted to Mr. Melanoff); Nanny (hired when their parents leave on vacation, Nanny later takes on the role of the Willoughby's mother and helpmate to Mr. Melanoff); Hans-Peter von Schlusseldorf (a Swedish postmaster)

Brief Annotation: Lowry parodies classic orphan prose, through the humorous exploits of the Willoughby children.

Word Nerd

Word Nerd. By Susin Nielsen. Tundra Books, 2008. 256 pages. Tr. $ 18.95 ISBN 978-0887768750

Summary: Twelve-year-old Ambrose Bukowski lives with his single, overprotective mother in Vancouver, Canada. Within his lifespan, they’ve moved frequently, which hasn’t helped Ambrose make friends. Couple that his peanut allergy, his curious fashion sense, interest in words, and ability at choosing the worst words at the worst possible time, and you have the makings of a nerd. With his correspondence course beginning, Ambrose is even more removed from those his age. Will he ever develop the courage to stand up to his mother’s plans, or will his life forever be ruined by her neurotic protection?

Critical Review: Word Nerd is relatable to tweens whose lives differ from the majority, especially those who are home-schooled, nourish unusual interests or aspirations, and who find it difficult to make friends. Ambrose successfully develops friendships with members of all ages from the Scrabble Club. Through his neighbor, Cosmo, Ambrose learns the power that comes with looking beyond individual differences. Above all, Ambrose understands that we all have problems, but that we can learn to move beyond them.

Genre: Realistic Fiction; Humor; Friendship

Reading/Interest Level: 9-12 years

Awards: Winner of the 2010 Red Maple Award; Winner of the 2010 Rocky Mountain Book Award; Winner of the 2010 Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards; Winner of ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year - Silver 2008 Juvenile Fiction; Nominated for the 2010 Golden Oak Award; Nominated for the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award; Shortlisted for the 2009 Canadian Library Association Book of the Year Award; Shortlisted for the 2009 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards; One of The Globe and Mail's "Susan Perren's Top 10 Children's Books for '08"; Shortlisted for the 2010 Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Willow Award

Reviews: School Library Journal (December 1, 2008)

Booklist (Nobember 1, 2008)

 Author Website: http://www.susinnielsen.com/

Similar Materials: Dear George Clooney: Please Marry my Mom - Susin Neilsen (2010)

Subject/Themes: loneliness; overprotective parents; peanut allergies; scrabble clubs; correspondence schools; mothers and sons; single parent families; conformity; friendship; Vancouver, British Columbia; Canada 

Character Names: Ambrose Bukowski; Irene Bukowski; Mr. Acheson; Mr. and Mrs. Economopouloses; Cosmo Economopouloses; Amanda Svecova; Silvio

Brief Annotation: A lonely twelve-year old Vancouver boy finds genuine friendship by joining a scrabble club.