Families who loved Dork Diaries: I Love Paris! 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 middle-schooler is navigating the rocky waters of social competition, friendship insecurity, or the 'fear of missing out.' It provides a humorous, relatable outlet for children who feel like they do not always fit in with the 'cool' crowd. The story follows Nikki Maxwell as she travels to Paris for a photoshoot, only to find her dream trip complicated by her rival MacKenzie and the introduction of a new boy, Andre, who creates tension in her relationship with her crush, Brandon. It is an ideal choice for normalizing the chaotic feelings of early adolescence, such as jealousy and self-doubt, while maintaining a lighthearted and fun tone. The diary format, complete with doodles, makes it highly accessible for reluctant readers aged 9 to 13 who need a low-pressure way to explore complex social dynamics.