Dork Diaries

Dork Diaries (3 Titles, soon to be 4th)
1) Tales From a Not so Fabulous Life (2009)--978-1416980063
2) Tales From a not so popular Party girl (2010)--978-1416980087
3) Tales From a Not so Talented Pop Star (2011)--978-1442411906
by Rachel Renee Russell
Fiction

Nikki J. Maxwell is just starting a new, private school and like most new girls, is having trouble finding friends. Through her diary we hear all the trials and tribulations she endures as she tries to be friend the popular girl McKenzie, crushes on the hot boy, is denied a cell phone from her mom, plays tricks on her little sister, and finds friends that aren't her first choice, but are perfect for her. With black and white drawing and a narrative approach, this book is very similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney. Kinney’s popular series target boys, where as Dork Diaries is geared toward girls. In each of Russell’s diaries, we see how tween girls deal with the complexities of life and growing up. The fourth book will be released in June 2011, and a 5th in the fall of 2011. My final thought about the book is, although these books are highly popular, I was concerned that the main character, Nikki, acted out "mean girl" behavior. I do not feel this is a good message for tweens.