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 #51]

i love this book to the best 9f mii heart this is the first Book i read as goundn up as a kid lol they be so funny it and ppl wont to say tha anit cool be they really is anyway love this book more then every book in the world lol zacari was her amd always wil be here

[Comment #52]

these books r awsome i totsly can relate to them lol

[Comment #53]

I love, Can Adults Become Human? , My Pants are Haunted,I mean, I can't choose my favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #54]

I think u SHOULD read My pants are haunted. I have all ten!!!

[Comment #55]

ddd series has to be read!!! I'm so eager for book 11, okay, so maybe I do have super powers!!! I own the first ten already!!!

[Comment #56]

I'm waiting for book 12, and I bet it's the best!!!

[Comment #57]

jim benton is a very, very, very, gooood author!!!!!

[Comment #58]

I Love Dear Dumb Diary !!!!!!!!!They are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #59]

ilove dear dumbdiary

[Comment #60]

Read #1 or #2 or The Worst things in life are also free.

[Comment #61]

what is the genre

[Comment #62]

luv them

[Comment #63]

My favorite is Me! Just like you only better #12
Jim benton..... YOU ROCK!!! well your books rock.but anyway keep up the good work and i can't wait until the new top secret dumb diary

[Comment #64]

Interesting