March 14, 2009

Review: Dork Diaries: Tales From A Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell



Eighth grader Nikki Maxwell candidly shares with us the journaling of her no-so-fabulous days at her new private school Westchester Day School. Nikki's father, being the new exterminator, earned her a scholarship to a school where she doesn't fit in with the rich and snobby CCP (Cute, Cool & Popular) clique led by the snarky Mackenzie.

Nikki knows that in order to dazzle the new crowd into accepting her she needs a new iPhone but her `rents stubbornly refuse to buy her one. Her Mom even goes so far as to tell her that if she really wants one she'll have to save up and buy it with her own money. Ugh!

Just when everything seems to be doomed the school announces a school-wide art competition where the first prize is $500!! Nikki knows she's totally got this since she's an artist with plenty art camp experience. Nikki runs to the school office to sign up and who does she run into??? None other than Mackenzie. No way is she brave enough to compete against the queen bee of WDS. Can she turn one disaster after another into triumph?

Dork Diaries is simply fabulous! I've been in Nikki's shoes a time or two as I changed schools 8 different times while growing up so I can totally sympathize with being new girl on the block. At least my Dad didn't drive me to school with a giant roach on top of his van.

The entire book is Nikki's diary filled with hilarious stories and amazing drawings (also illustrated by Rachel Renee Russell). It's the perfect read for young girls who agonize over not being part of the in-crowd like I used to. Nikki goes from the zero to a hero and then finally settles nicely into her niche as a typical teen. I recommend this read for all YA lovers.

3 comments :

Becky W. said...

This sounds really good! Thanks for your great review! I'll check this out!

Anonymous said...

I think at one point in all our lives, we felt like Nikki. This sounds like a great read for my teen and I would like to read it myself! Thank you Monica for this site, otherwise I may have never wanted to read such a book!!!

tigger58 said...

Monie, this was such a fun book. I'm still cracking up about the "Thriller Ballet" too funny!!! Very well written. Life through the eyes of a teenager and we've all been there!! My 16 yr old is going to read it next. I'm sure she'll relate. I enjoyed it very much!