Kid reviews for Dork Diaries 1: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life (2023)

Kid, 11 years old

This review is for EVERY Dork Diaries book in existence, not just the first one.I just came here to say how disappointed I am in this series. Every book is filled with overused and unrealistic stereotypes, such as how every "mean girl" has blonde hair and blue eyes. And this is completely not a coincidence. In the first book, Nikki, the main character, states how MacKenzie and her best friend both have blonde hair and blue eyes. And they were both considered "mean girls" to Nikki. Not EVERY mean girl has to have blonde hair and blue eyes. There are SOME, but there are as many as those who have brown eyes and brown hair. "2D" characters2D characters are people who are either "perfect" or "mean". This is so unrealistic, I can't even find some reality in it. What makes a good character is someone who has a balance of good and bad, and has a unique personality. Let's just say, NO ONE in the ENTIRE SERIES is a good character. Maybe except for Brianna, Nikki's little sister. But that's it. All the other characters are too cliche and simple. For example, Nikki's crush, Brandon. He is so perfect, it's embarrassing. Brandon has this kind, caring and generous personality. Brandon IS a good person, but not a good character. He has no flaws whatsoever, and he being one of the main characters, it just makes the series less enjoyable. Nikki, the main characterNikki is an overdramatic brat who whines for everything and gets it in the end. She treats other people like a landfill, and calling them names in her diary. I understand that it's a diary, and that you can write anything down in your diary, but younger kids might get bad ideas, hence why I rated this book ages 13 and up. Some of the other reviews said that after their kids read the book, they started acting mean and whiny to other people. I actually feel sorry for MacKenzie for all the times Nikki treated her badly.I believe that books should send you a positive message, like, "Love your family", or, "Don't be mean to other people", and I also believe books should bring a great pleasure or joy to read. Sadly, this series had missed that mark by a mile.I'm sorry I ever read this.

Too much swearing

Too much consumerism

I remember when I was in fifth grade, me and my classmates were literally OBSESSED with this book but it was because of a girl who was bragging about her dork diaries collection and was showing off the glittery cover page which got me interested in them but I never realized how cringy it was, mostly because Nikki Maxwell says "SQUEEEE!" The whole time and other girly things. It's not great for kids since Nikki always uses short forms like "A.K.A", "BTW" and "OMG!" which spoils our vocabulary. Nikki is very selfish and rants about her "bad" life when she has very supportive best friends and family but she never shows the same to them. And she once literally wrote in her diary that her little sister needs a therapist when she's just six years old. Of course, six-year-olds will trouble their older siblings and it'll eventually change after a few years but Nikki's toxic about it. Then she has a "crush" called Brandon and she'll do ANYTHING to get him. To be honest, kid's books shouldn't have all this romance unless it's for the appropriate ages. It's honestly a big ripoff of DOAWK (Diary of A Wimpy Kid), the main character, Greg Heffley isn't as lucky as Nikki. He has a very weird family who never spends time for him and a friend called Rowley who sometimes breaks friendship with Greg when he finds better friends but Greg never has a mental breakdown like Nikki and at the end, Greg and Rowley becomes friends again. I do know that Greg is sometimes a jerk, a sociopath and always tries to hang out with different girls to get a girlfriend but he isn't as annoying as Nikki. Plus, dork diaries stole many ideas from wimpy kid so I recommend reading Wimpy kid instead.

I used to adore this book as a third-grader, not understanding the actual blandness of the book. I thought it was amazing and believed that middle school was like this. It wasn't. First of all, this girl complains her heart out for every little mistake. At times Nikki was being a queen but this queen shatters her crown WAY too quickly. She reminds me of your typical anime girl that's really dense. The characters: Nikki- This girl is utter garbage. She isn't main character material and thinks too much of boys and popularity. Her friends are helping her and being really nice to her but she's out here ranting about every little thing Mckenzie does. Her family owns a bug-killing business and she's embarrassed by it, understandable I guess, BUT THEN SHE GOES OUT AND MURDERS HERSELF BECAUSE OF THAT?! Like girl what was the reason. She goes out and complains about every single thing like dang missy calm down. She isn't that great of a character if you ask me. (she doesn't deserve Andre or Brandon overall)Chloe and Zoe- These girls are too good for Nikki. They deserve a better friend lowkey. I loved these characters as an 8-year old, and I still do, but they do not deserve to be with that Mary Sue of a middle schooler. Brandon- the only thing I have to say about this guy is he's a literal anime protagonist with brown or black hair. Super dense and doesn't deserve the girl(s) simping for him. Mckenzie- this girl is a queen. Sure she bullies that mary sue of a person, but she bullies that mary sue of a person! You need to give her an award for that. Overall, if you're easily influenced, do not get this book series. As much as I loved it before, it didn't deserve the hype it got in 3rd grade.

First of all, Nikki Maxwell is a whiny teenager that acts like everyone should treat her perfectly just because. She always acts like she's so special and unique than the other girls, She acts as if all girls like shopping and gossip and the colour pink . The problem is all girls are a mix of different things, cause everyone has a different personality . I , for instance like the colour purple , paleontology and DC comics, but also like shopping at the mall and Princesses . I'm not special . I'm just a girl with a PERSONALITY! But in Dork Diaries, Everything is a clìché , A Low-income " Quirky" teenager who moves to a private school and gets picked on by a "blonde" "blue eyed" "rich" Girl who's purpose in life is ruining the "quirky" teen girl's life but out of nowhere, The "perfect" "hot" "kind" boy comes . And SURPRISINGLY ALSO THE BLONDIE HAS A CRUSH ON HIM AND NOW BLONDIE HATES HER MORE !!Second of all that girl has absolutely No respect to her family, and she keeps bashing/making fun of her dad's job as an exterminator, She even called her mom BRAIN DEAD!?!?! Why would you call your mom that just because she didn't get you a cell phone? Her poor sister, Brianna is deprived of her sister's love, support, and attention but Nikki is so busy thinking about ✨ Brandon ✨ Her Sister's like 6 or something and she's being toxic cause she's um.......Acting like a six year old??????And then the worst thing of all is ...Drumroll Please🥁🥁🥁THE UNREALISTIC WAY THEY PORTRAY MIDDLE SCHOOLI'm in the 8th Grade ( just like Nikki) and let me tell you that middle school is absolutely nothing like that! The Author didn't write about the ACTUAL middle school, the suffering, the tests, the struggles and all that .Also the main character is really cringey . She's always making popular brands / pop culture references ( wanting a sponsor much?) Nikki never learns her lessons and still thinks she is the best teachers ever with the worst life ever ! All the books go like thisNikki wants to do something but she's not qualified, Makenzie ( bully) enters the same competition, except she's actually qualified. Nikki tricks her friends and crush ( all books) even if they're genuinely trying to help so she cries and blames Makenzie and wins competitionAlso she doesn't stand up to Makenzie which doesn't make sense!

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Too much consumerism

Ok, i liked this book when i was seven, but now i see it properly. It is rude to portray all 'mean girls' with blue hair and blonde eyes. my sister has those and when she read the book, she was seriously offended. No meaningful moral of any sort, i find it a waste of time, and stop with the crap slang language, it makes me sick! Advice to try wimpy kid or something along the lines of that as it is funnier and better. Seriously DOWNGRADED version of the beloved classics.

Too much swearing

Too much consumerism

Kid, 12 years old

Parents, you should not buy your children this book. It centers around a girl named Nikki Maxwell who absolutely hates her family, manipulates people, talks about make-out of all kinds, has bad language such as retarded, cr*d, keeps on saying OMG and Squeeeee. The main character also judges people using stereotypes. The main character is very rude and shallow, cares only about this boy named Brandon, called her mom brain dead because she wouldn't get her a cellphone.Dork is another word for idiot. I have seen many normal people turn into mean, gossipy spoiled brats obsessed with boys and popularity. Not to mention it's a ripoff from the diary of a wimpy kid.Dork diaries is horrible for children's growth mindset. This will encourage them to ignore focusing on studies and education, focusing on more optional things like popularity.______________________________________________How to decide_______________________________________________ To decide if they are mature enough, start by looking at the intense moments.Try letting them read one book and see how they act later.I would not recommend this to ages under 10.If you think you're daughter is mature enough, explain to them that everything in the book is fictional and played for laughs and shouldn't be done outside.Try telling them about what dork diaries have and tell them why it is inappropriate.Most of the parents, librarians and teachers were talking about how horrible dork diaries are People think it's really cringe.

Too much violence

Too much sex

Too much swearing

I don't like their stereotypes. Mackenzie Hollister is the popular girl who has blonde hair, icy blue eyes, and is wealthy and mean. And the main character, Nicki Maxwell is black and from a not-so-rich family. Other than that, I love the books! I grew up reading them 😃 And it's a good read.. If you are a lil kid who believes stereotypes.

I couldn't bear the fact that Nikki says bad language like "crud" and "seriously mentally ill".SHE is seriously mentally ill for saying that language! Nikki is boy crazy, obsessed with popularity,and most of all, a CRYBABY!!! I couldn't even finish the book! -A ranting girl that rants for a reason

Too much sex

Too much swearing

Too much consumerism

Kid, 11 years old

These books are really dumb. I guess they're OK for kids who know not to copy characters but there were some things that were just dumb and stupid about this book. First of all, Nikki is absolutely mean to her parents. She called her mom BRAIN DEAD! She is ashamed of them in many ways and goes on and on about how dumb she thinks they are. 2nd, she is too focused on boys. Yes, it is important to have a boyfriend, but your whole life can't just be about having a boyfriend! She's a shallow, insecure, jerk!You have to have friend and alone time too! 3rd She is not the best role model, and if your kids start acting like her, well that is just bad Also Nikki just wants to be popular, she whines too much, and says things like Squeeeeeeee! She goes over the top and is annoying. I liked this book when I was in 3rd grade, but now I think it is SO dumb. I guess you could read it, as long as your kids know not to act like that! I think you shouldn't even bother

Too much swearing

Too much consumerism

Some of my classmates were obsessed with it so I borrowed two books. They were AWFUL. Nikki is a shallow, self-centered jerk and the book is built on stereotypes. Brandon, Nikki's crush, doesn't have a personality at all. Zoe and Chloe are too good for Nikki. If you think your child is mature enough, explain to them that everything in the book is fictional and played for laughs and shouldn't be done outside. Try telling them about what dork diaries have and tell them why it is inappropriate.

Too much swearing

Too much consumerism