About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-grade child is struggling with the 'compare and despair' trap of pre-teen friendships or taking a low-stakes competition way too seriously. Part of the Dear Dumb Diary series, it captures the cynical, hilarious, and often dramatic inner monologue of Jamie Kelly as she navigates a bet with her best friend, Isabella. It speaks directly to the emotional needs of children feeling the pressure to prove themselves or feeling a sting of jealousy when others seem to have 'super' luck. While the plot revolves around a school Fun Fair bottle toss, the story is truly about the messy reality of friendship and the awkwardness of growing up. Jamie's voice is snarky and unfiltered, making it highly relatable for ages 8 to 12. It serves as a great tool for normalizing feelings of embarrassment and the occasional urge to compete with those we love, all wrapped in a fast-paced, illustrated format that keeps even reluctant readers engaged.
