Title: Dork Diaries: Tales From A Not-So-Happily Ever After
Date: 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Writer: Rachel Renee Russell
Artist: Rachel Renee Russell
This is (clearly intentionally) similar in format to Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which I've read quite a few of because my son enjoyed them. The narration is prose with frequent illustrations.
The main character, Nikki, is considerably more likeable than the Wimpy Kid protagonist, but is also a bit on the bland side. It feels like the author is trying so hard to make Nikki relatable that she's afraid to give Nikki much in the way of distinctive traits, quirks, and flaws.
This story was an homage/parody of The Wizard of Oz, with elements of other fairy tales sprinkled in, as Nikki gets knocked out playing dodgeball in the midst of a bad day at school, and dreams up (is transported to) a fairytale adventure.
She meets fairytale versions of people she knows in her own world, has some adventures (the supporting cast could use a bit more diversity), makes some friends and some enemies, gets in trouble, and gets rescued by her friends.
She also resolves a bit of conflict with her younger sister, in a scene that is genuinely tender.
There's nothing awful here, but nothing all that distinctive either.
Rating: 5/10
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