Book Review: Dear Dumb Diary
Unless you've been living in a cave, most of you avid readers have probably heard of the Dear Dumb Diary series by Jim Benton. (I mean, we've only written about it on Ink Splot, like a zillion times!) Recently I crawled OUT of MY cave to discover this series! At first I thought, “Oh cool, another cute middle school series” but after reading it — WOW — these books have some bite! And I am hooked.
Jamie Kelly is your average middle-schooler with an average (but evil) best friend, Isabella, and an average (but sickeningly beautiful) nemesis, Angeline. Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic, but Jamie is dramatic . . . and did I mention hilarious?
In the Dear Dumb Diary books (there are 8) Jamie warns us not to read her diary in disclaimers such as, "Only a super gross person reads another person's diary." And, "If you are Angeline, I did NOT give you permission, so stop it." Each book is like a mini-journal which follows something going on at the time in Jamie's life.
Like right now, I just finished Book 4: Never Do Anything Ever in which Jamie starts collecting money for an online charity to channel her “inner beautiosity.” Which is basically because Angeline has been collecting money for charities and Jamie wants to outdo her (and attract the attention of her super-cute crush, Hudson). It backfires, thanks to Jamie's aforementioned friend Isabella — but I can't reveal exactly how things go wrong! You'll just have to read it for yourself!
Besides an overall entertaining story, each of the little daily occurrences and descriptions are wickedly funny. For instance, Jamie is paired with a bunch of misfits on her team in gym class, and she refers to one guy as “That Ugly Guy Whose Name I Forget” . . . or as she calls him for short, “TUGWNIF.” You feel like you are reading something slightly naughty or mean . . . but then you remember this is someone's "diary" and you're not supposed to be reading it . . . and somehow it's okay! It's hard to describe, so I can only recommend you read the series!
And if you've already read any Dear Dumb Diary books, give me a shout! What are your favorite books of the series? Let me know which ones I should check out next!
— Ratha, STACKS Writer
thats is a nice story WOW!
Comment #1 | Posted by: whitney on October 07, 2009 at 09:02 AM
LOVE DEAR DUMB DIARY!!!! THEY ARE SO AWESOME!!!! I have read them all!!!!
Comment #2 | Posted by: grtw on October 07, 2009 at 01:26 PM
i loooooooooooooooooove dumb diary ihave every book published thank god for the author!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #3 | Posted by: ta on October 07, 2009 at 03:47 PM
i know that book is awsome
Comment #4 | Posted by: snigglefritz on October 07, 2009 at 05:35 PM
Those books are some my favorite! Rock on Scholastic!
Comment #5 | Posted by: ocelotbrush on October 07, 2009 at 07:14 PM
i hate english!!
Comment #6 | Posted by: manga eyes on October 07, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Wow, I just finished that book too! I love it. I am in 5th grade and all of my friends are reading it. My friends are giving out nicknames to everyone from that book. Im Colette :D She comes in the 6th book. Well have fun reading :D
Comment #7 | Posted by: Kiki on October 07, 2009 at 08:44 PM
I Think The Book Looks Boring
Comment #8 | Posted by: Anthony on October 07, 2009 at 09:32 PM
I have read the Dear Dumb Diary books, and I love them! [sorry to be saying dumb,
but I had to say the title.] I think they are hilarious, and recommend them to everybody over 6. I said over 6 because they have some really big words that I don't think anyone six or under could read or understand. Otherwise, this is a great book!
Comment #9 | Posted by: elizabeth on October 07, 2009 at 10:43 PM
OK Let me just say...THEY ARE TOTALLY FUNNY! I think if you are have trouble wth something or just want a good laugh the "Dear Dumb Diary" series is just right for you! read!
Comment #10 | Posted by: stacksrlesfrevr on October 10, 2009 at 02:54 PM
The books are okay. Easy and short to read. Enjoyable, too! :D
Comment #11 | Posted by: Andy on October 10, 2009 at 08:53 PM
my favorite book is um?????????????????i forgot oh yeah its the one where the girl is looking in the mirror and her reflection is a frog in a dress could you check that one out for me thanks
Comment #12 | Posted by: mila on October 10, 2009 at 09:29 PM
I love love love love ddd books! I couldn't live without all 9! Jim Benton NEEDS to make more!
Comment #13 | Posted by: CuttieKat22498 on October 11, 2009 at 09:47 AM
I. LOVE. Dear Dumb Diary. Books!!!!!!
Gawd, they r the best. if u're wondering which to check out, i have an one word answer. ALL!!!
i've read all of them (or i'm pretty sure i did) and i loved them all! they r SO hilarious and funny. Jamie, Isabella, and Angeline are a hoot of laughs. lolz. u have just got to check them out! You know, Jim Benton made Happy Bunny, too. These books r perfect for anyone up for laughs! ;)
Comment #14 | Posted by: Sweet_Heart13 on October 11, 2009 at 02:49 PM
This is a cool book.
Comment #15 | Posted by: Simone' on October 11, 2009 at 06:59 PM
THIS BOOK IS RELY COOL!
Comment #16 | Posted by: Simone' on October 11, 2009 at 07:00 PM
i think dear dumb diary is very funny. it has parts in it that makes you laugh for almost 3 minutes straight. the author makes the book look good because of the illustrations that she uses
Comment #17 | Posted by: Jianni on October 13, 2009 at 12:48 PM
These books are so funny. they're great for a bit of light reading. It's like a female version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Comment #18 | Posted by: book_worm_ on October 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM
wow, nice books!! I read all but #8, can someone tell me how good it is??
Comment #19 | Posted by: Mathwiz124 on October 14, 2009 at 09:17 PM
I love this book!!!!!!!!!!My favorite is "The Problem With Here Is Thats Where I'm From"!I LOVE DEAR DUMB DIARY!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #20 | Posted by: Waterlily5055 on October 18, 2009 at 02:15 PM
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are the best books ever!!!!!! I own all of them even the planner and journal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment #21 | Posted by: warrior-catgirl on October 18, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Yes i love this series and book_worm_ you're so right, this series is like a female version of the Diary of a Wimpy kid series. that's exactly what i thought. and guys i'm making a new series, the first book's called Ventura Village. it'll probably be out in stores in mid November. please read it! I'm begging you! it'll really help me. Thanks.=)
Comment #22 | Posted by: K.L. H on October 19, 2009 at 01:31 AM
I have been meaning to start reading this book so I started reading 2 weeks ago and I havent stoped reading it is soooooooooo good.
Comment #23 | Posted by: amber on October 23, 2009 at 11:28 AM
THESE BOOKS ARE THE BEST AND THE FUNNIEST!
Comment #24 | Posted by: Leah on October 24, 2009 at 08:16 AM
i love those books there awesome you should read :Its not my fault I know every thing:
Comment #25 | Posted by: rockci22min on October 31, 2009 at 12:19 PM