Categories: Books

Young People’s Pavilion: Dork Diaries 5

Read more at http://www.youngpeoplespavilion.com/

My oldest daughter, an intermediate grade reader, and a lot of her friends love and relate to the protagonist of this book. Eighth-grader Nikki Maxwell is already more than a little cynical. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who curls up with a diary and a box of Godiva chocolates,” she writes.

Nikki develops a sudden interest in student journalism that may or may not (okay, definitely does) have to do with the fact that mean girl Mackenzie has started writing a gossip column. And there just might be some juicy info involving Nikki’s crush, Brandon, that Nikki doesn’t want Mackenzie reporting to the world. So Nikki joins the school newspaper staff-and ends up as an advice columnist! It’s fun at first, answering other kids’ letters. But when Miss Know-It-All’s inbox is suddenly overflowing with pleas for guidance, Nikki feels in need of some help herself.

Fortunately she has BFFs Chloe and Zoey on her side-and at her keyboard! In Dork Diaries 5: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All, author and illustrator Rachel Renee Russell presents a well detailed narrative in the tradition of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, a series it has been heavily compared to.

Reviewer John Hogan wrote that “Rachel Renée Russell’s Dork Diaries is a charming and funny look at young life in and out of school. Russell has a great kid-friendly voice and uses it to make Dork Diaries both funny and authentic. The rivalry between Nikki and Mackenzie is never too horrible, and the girls’ personalities are allowed to shine through. In a YA field swimming with kid protagonists as outsiders, Dork Diaries manages to stand out, mostly because of its thoroughly enjoyable lead and keen ear for funny, authentic dialogue.”

Dork Diaries 5 is hilarious! Nikki is a great character and I highly recommend this reading for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans. On Amazon.com, one reader said, “this book was amazing. I’ve read the whole Dork Diaries series. I love the way she writes, just like the minds of a normal preteen. When I read these books I feel as if I were Nikki Maxwell, and I know how she feels. Thanks Rachel for bringing the inner dork out of me!”

I love the sweet and beautiful message threaded through Dork Diaries: stand up for yourself and don’t be afraid to express your feelings. This is accomplished with joyful humor. Have you read all the other Dork Diaries? The series is most enjoyable: funny and entertaining.

Dork Diaries 5: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All is just as good as the rest.