BRIANNA THE BRAT ☹!
I can’t believe this is actually happening to me! Not only did Brianna STEAL my diary, but she also wrote in it.
I’m so upset with her I could just…
SCREEEEEEEAM!!
Like, what if she revealed some of my deepest, secrets! I’m afraid to read the stuff she wrote about me.
Take a look at the short video below to see what happened after I realized my diary was missing.
What do you think I should do about this situation? Has anyone ever read YOUR diary? How did you feel about it? Please post your comments below.
NEW AMUSEMENT PARK THEMED DORK MAKER GAME
Now that we’re out of school, let’s kick off the SUMMER with our NEW AMUSEMENT PARK THEMED DORK MAKER GAME! 
Ever wanted to know what you’d look like if you were a character in my book series?! I have practically everything you would need to create your summer-licious one-of-a-kind ADORKABLE character. With over a MILLION different combinations, you’ll have a ton of fun channeling your inner DORK and mixing and matching all of the cool fashions, accessories, and colorful amusement park backgrounds.
I can’t wait to go to the amusement park to ride the Monster Rollercoaster which is the BIGGEST and FASTEST ride in the park! What’s your fav thing to do at an amusement park? What exciting plans have you made for the summer?! 
Please post your answer in the comments section below!
Quirky Question of the Month
Your teacher is making you watch a SUPERlong, SUPERboring documentary about SLUGS! EWW! Do you force yourself to pay attention, do you doodle in your notebook, or do you fall asleep?
This fun question was taken from our Dork Diaries 2-year, write-in journal called, OMG! ALL ABOUT ME DIARY!
Dork Diaries 16: Tales from a NOT-SO-Bratty Little Sister
Nikki has suddenly disappeared and all that’s left is her diary!
Can her bratty little sister, Brianna, solve the mystery?!
rachel russell author bio
About the Author:
Rachel Renée Russell
Rachel Renée Russell is an award-winning author of 20 consecutive New York Times best-selling books for children. Best known for her wildly popular Dork Diaries series and spin-off The Misadventures of Max Crumbly series, Russell is the best-selling Black author in the world, surpassing such acclaimed writers as Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Maya Angelou, and Alex Haley12. Russell’s books, which are filled with lighthearted humor, also contain an important message to young readers:
“Be your own person. Value yourself.”
And that empowering message has resonated. More than 55 million copies of Russell’s 17-book Dork Diaries series are in print today3. The books have been translated into 52 languages in 57 countries4, and Dork Diaries books have spent 331 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list for Children’s & Young Adult Series5. Russell has also been listed as #5 on the Forbes List for Top Earning Children’s Authors6.
Since her 2009 launch of the Dork Diaries — which chronicles the life and misadventures of middle school students Nikki Maxwell and her best friends Chloe and Zoey — Russell has been showered with numerous awards.
In 2015, Russell received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work-Children’s for book No. 4 in her series, Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After7.
Three of Russell’s books have received Children’s Choice Book Awards, given by the Children’s Book Council and International Reading Association. Children’s Choice Book Award winners are read and voted on annually on by 12,500 children and teens across the U.S.8 The awards, in the Fifth and Sixth Grade Book of the Year category, went to Dork Diaries books in 2011 (Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life)9 and 2013 (Tales From A Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess)10 and to a The Misadventures of Max Crumbly book (Locker Hero)11 in 2017.
Readers have also demonstrated their affection for Russell’s books. In 2010, Dork Diaries was among the nominees for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Book.12 And in 2014, Russell received the Milner Award, an Atlanta-area program based on student votes.13
In children’s literature, where male characters still far outnumber female ones,14 Nikki Maxwell’s unique personality, dorky moments, and triumphs have resonated deeply with readers. That said, affection for Nikki didn’t stop male readers from requesting a spinoff series featuring a boy as the protagonist. Russell responded with the best-selling series,151617 The Misadventures of Max Crumbly, launched in 2016.
In addition to her relatable stories, Russell is known for creating a sense of community for her readers, who have said they feel like her characters are their friends.18
Though Russell built a successful career as an attorney, writing has been a passion since her childhood in in St. Joseph, Michigan (she now lives in Northern Virginia). She wrote her first book in the sixth grade as a birthday gift for her younger twin brothers.
Russell’s Dork Diaries series was inspired in part by her own childhood years along with the middle school experiences of her daughters, Erin Russell and Nikki Russell, who illustrates the Dork Diaries series and is the namesake of protagonist Nikki Maxwell.
Russell wants tweens and teens to know that being a bit different and unique is something to embrace. That has been her ongoing message as a writer, as a speaker, and during interviews with daughter, Nikki, on such programs as Good Morning America,19 CBS Mornings20, and Great Day Washington.21 One of Russell’s greatest rewards as a writer has been to hear from readers, including some who are now adults, about how much her books have inspired and encouraged them through tough times in their lives.22
In 2013, when The New York Times asked Russell if she was running out of dorky incidents to share with her readers, her response was an emphatic “no!”23 That answer remains the same today, she says, and Russell is more committed than ever to inspiring and empowering children, especially girls.
- “Meet the Women behind the International Sensation, ‘the Dork Diaries.’” 2023. Wusa9.com. October 6, 2023. https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/meet-the-women-behind-the-international-sensation-the-dork-diaries/65-53e664b4-3f65-4fa6-bbcd-e7df522f78fa.
︎ - —. “List of Black New York Times Best Selling Authors.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Black_New_York_Times_Best_Selling_Authors. Accessed 20 Dec. 2019. ︎
- Lodge |, Sally. 2020. “The Votes Are In: ‘Dork Diaries’ Fans Select New Book’s Cover.” PublishersWeekly.com. April 21, 2020. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/83110-the-votes-are-in-dork-diaries-fans-select-new-book-s-cover.html. ︎
- “Rachel Renée Russell.” n.d. Simon & Schuster. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.simonandschuster.net/authors/Rachel-Renee-Russell/49850702. ︎
- The New York Times. 2024. “Children’s & Young Adult Series Books – Best Sellers – Books – Jan. 7, 2024 – the New York Times,” July 1, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2024/01/07/series-books/. ︎
- Robehmed, Natalie. 2016. “The Top-Earning Children’s Authors 2016 – 2016-07-06 – the Top-Earning Children’s Authors 2016.” Forbes. July 6, 2016. https://www.forbes.com/pictures/577d0960a7ea436bd18c260e/the-top-earning-childrens/?sh=62270e4364f4. ︎
- Wikipedia Contributors. 2023. “NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. March 23, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAACP_Image_Award_for_Outstanding_Literary_Work_%E2%80%93_Children#Multiple_wins_and_nominations. ︎
- “Choices Reading Lists.” n.d. Www.literacyworldwide.org. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/get-resources/reading-lists. ︎
- “The Children’s Book Choice Awards: 2010 Winners and Finalists.” Www.cbcbooks.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/2010-winners/. ︎
- “The Children’s Book Choice Awards: 2013 Winners and Finalists.” n.d. Www.cbcbooks.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/2013-finalists/. ︎
- “The Children’s Book Choice Awards: 2017 Winners and Finalists.” Www.cbcbooks.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/2017-finalists/. ︎
- ———. 2024. “Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Book.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. April 11, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids%27_Choice_Award_for_Favorite_Book. ︎
- “Previous Recipients – the Milner Award – Student Voted.” n.d. The Milner Awards. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://themilneraward.org/about-us/previous-recipients/. ︎
- Casey, Kennedy, Kylee Novick, and Stella F. Lourenco. 2021. “Sixty Years of Gender Representation in Children’s Books: Conditions Associated with Overrepresentation of Male versus Female Protagonists.” Edited by Jennifer Steele. PLOS ONE 16 (12): e0260566. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260566. ︎
- “Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – July 9, 2017 – the New York Times.” The New York Times, 9 July 2017, www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/07/09/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/. Accessed 28 May 2024. ︎
- “Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – Oct. 8, 2017 – the New York Times.” The New York Times, 8 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/10/08/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/. Accessed 28 May 2024. ︎
- “Children’s & Young Adult Series Books – Best Sellers – Books – June 23, 2019 – the New York Times.” The New York Times, 23 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2019/06/23/series-books/. Accessed 28 May 2024. ︎
- Lodge |, Sally. 2020. “The Votes Are In: ‘Dork Diaries’ Fans Select New Book’s Cover.” PublishersWeekly.com. April 21, 2020. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/83110-the-votes-are-in-dork-diaries-fans-select-new-book-s-cover.html. ︎
- America, Good Morning. 2023. “New ‘Dork Diaries’ Promotes Anti-Bullying.” Good Morning America. October 19, 2023. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/gma3/video/new-dork-diaries-promotes-anti-bullying-104142228. ︎
- “Watch CBS Mornings: ‘Dork Diaries’ Authors on New Book – Full Show on CBS.” 2023. Www.cbs.com. September 25, 2023. https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/lzVNtRRUADWsS3Qe9r60N9rfeN92D1K2/. ︎
- “Meet the Women behind the International Sensation, ‘the Dork Diaries.’” 2023. Wusa9.com. October 6, 2023. https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/meet-the-women-behind-the-international-sensation-the-dork-diaries/65-53e664b4-3f65-4fa6-bbcd-e7df522f78fa. ︎
- Comment, Amanda MacGregor Leave a. “An Interview with Rachel Renée Russell, the Author of Dork Diaries 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure.” Teen Librarian Toolbox, 26 Sept. 2023, teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/09/26/an-interview-with-rachel-renee-russell-the-author-of-dork-diaries-15-tales-from-a-not-so-posh-paris-adventure/. ︎
- Kaufman, Leslie. 2013. “The Grown-up behind a Tween Phenomenon.” The New York Times, March 25, 2013, sec. Books. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/books/dork-diaries-by-rachel-renee-russell.html. ︎
LET’S CELEBRATE ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY!
In my science class this month we’ve been studying various animal species and which ones are categorized as endangered, vulnerable, and threatened. Since I’m totally into animals I wanted to help raise awareness of the importance of Endangered Species Day and what we can do to prevent an animal from becoming extinct. My lab partner, Nikki, had the most brilliant idea to help me spread the news about endangered animals. She signed us up to compete in the Westchester Country Day Endangered Species Chalk Art Contest and she helped me create a really fun quiz for us to share with our classmates.
The best part about this whole project was:
- Having the perfect excuse to hang out with Nikki!
- Learning how to draw a really cool tiger!
- Finding out how animals got placed on the endangered list!
- Celebrating and taking action to protect threatened, vulnerable, and endangered species!
- Sharing fun facts about endangered species with my classmates!
- Winning the chalk art competition with the best lab partner ever!
Who knew chalk art would be so much fun!
Speaking of fun, check out our quiz to see how many facts you know about endangered species. Hey, maybe you can even find a chalk art competition in your community!
Which animal would you draw to celebrate Endangered Species Day?
WHICH FLOWER ARE YOU?!
YAY! It’s SPRING which means warmer weather, chirping birds, baby animals, more rain showers, and longer days with lots of sunlight. And of course, let’s not forget everything is in BLOOM, especially FLOWERS!!
We’re really happy and buzzing with excitement for you to play our new quiz to find out which flower best represents your personality. Want to know more about yourself? Take the colorful quiz to find out which flower are you!! 
If you had a garden which flower would you plant and why?
NEW SPRING DORK MAKER!
It’s SPRING and the perfect time to play our NEW SPRING DORK MAKER. Check out all of our fun fashions and new accessories that you can mix and match!
What does Springtime mean to you? Please post your answer in the comments section below!
DORK DIARIES SPRING POSH PARIS BOOK TOUR
Meet Rachel and Nikki as they celebrate the release of their newest book Dork Diaries Book 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure!
Snag cool swag, like Dork Diaries stickers, pencils, and bookmarks (while supplies last). Your favorite Dork Diaries and Max Crumbly books will be available for purchase. Don’t miss your chance to meet Rachel and Nikki and get your books autographed!
San Antonio, Texas
WHAT: The San Antonio Book Festival
WHEN: Saturday, April 13th
WHERE: Central Library and UTSA Southwest Campus (The University of Texas at San Antonio)
The Perfect Christmas Gift!
Searching for a SPECIAL, one-of-a kind gift for the holiday?! Purchase an autographed and personalized Dork Diaries or The Misadventures of Max Crumbly book online at BookPeople.
Click on the link below for exclusive access to our order page. Get your book TODAY so you’ll have it in time for Christmas!
https://www.bookpeople.com/signed-books/author/rachel-renee-russell
