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

Comments

[Comment #26]

OMG, I love the school planner!

[Comment #27]

omg i love dear dumb diary books their just so funny but i cant seem to find dear dumb diary, totally not boring school planner

[Comment #28]

its me again where can i find one (dear dunb diary, totally not boring school planner)? please write back !

[Comment #29]

that book is da bom

[Comment #30]

i love that book

[Comment #31]

i read all the dear dumb diary books in just 3 weeks

i love them :)

[Comment #32]

i love love dear dumb diary!!! i own all of them up to number eight and i heard they are making another one! i saw the cover online and it is so awesome!!! WHOOT!

[Comment #33]

hi it's me again, and jalo. i bought my dear dumb diary school planner at barnes in nobles. it's awesome, check it out! :D

[Comment #34]

Quick question. I'm looking for the Dear Dumb Diary Planner for my 7-year old daughter for Christmas. Is it the spiral that is titled "Our Dumb Diary - A Journal to Share" or is it something else? Let me know. Thanks so much!

[Comment #35]

This series ROKS!! I never get tired of reading these books. I love how Jamie(the main chacter) thinks shes so funny and Isabella(her best friend) is also funny: in one of the books Jamie fell down the stairs and brused herself. Jamie and her friend thought it was a new comer pimple. if u want to no more read the book!!

[Comment #36]

love dear dumd dairy i didnt read #8 but i bet it is grate

[Comment #37]

i luv those books! i read them since i was five and im 8

[Comment #38]

hey k.l.h about diary of a wimpy kid............ there is gonna be a movie on april 2 2010

[Comment #39]

read twilight its better

[Comment #40]

yuppers i love how some peple here think they r relly kool!!! lol!!

[Comment #41]

do any of u guys have uggs if u do wut kind/color n how many???

[Comment #42]

Like My friend has 1 of thouse and take it to school

[Comment #43]

i love da series and i read 1,2,4 and i loved all of them thanx for recamending this book 4 me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #44]

yea kira i agree!! lol n i have 12 pairs of uggs!! most of them are the classic tall/short!!

[Comment #45]

I LUV Dear Dumb Diary it the best book ever

i'v read all eight books
and i can't wait till read the ninth one the new one!!!!

[Comment #46]

Never read this book, but looks great!!!

[Comment #47]

I hate those stupid Dear
Dumb Diary books.

[Comment #48]

I know the books are about middle schoolers, but could someone tell me what grade the main character is in?

[Comment #49]

i want to buy all the dear dumb diary books

[Comment #50]

I luv these books they're great if you don't have anything to read and you just need a bit of light reading. They are SOOOO FUNNY my favorite one is probably "The Problem with Here Is That Its Where Im From."
Have you gone to the Dear Dumb Diary website?