Families who loved Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All by Rachel Renée Russell often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the sting of school gossip or navigating the 'mean girl' dynamics of early middle school. It provides a safe, humorous space to explore the anxiety of protecting your reputation and the impulse to retaliate when someone targets you. Nikki Maxwell's relatable diary entries validate the very real stress of social hierarchies while modeling how to lean on loyal friends for support. Through its characteristic doodle-heavy format, the story addresses the pressure to be 'perfect' and the fear of social exposure in a way that feels accessible rather than preachy. It is an ideal pick for ages 9 to 12, offering a lighthearted yet empathetic look at the complexities of friendship, jealousy, and self-advocacy in the digital-adjacent world of school newspapers and gossip columns.
