Dork Diaries is a series of 15 realistic fiction comedy books for children, written and illustrated by Rachel Renée Russell. The books are written in diary format and contain drawings, comic strips, and doodles.
More than 5 million copies of the Dork Diaries books have been printed in the United States.
Publishing rights for the series have been sold in 42 countries, and the books have been translated into 38 different languages.
The series has been on The New York Times Best Seller list in the Children’s Series category for more than 43 weeks.
A movie adaptation was planned for 2014 but canceled in 2021 because of COVID-19.
Rachel Renée Russell’s Biography
Rachel Renée Russell is an American cartoonist and author who was born on March 13, 1959.
She is popular for her children’s book series titled Dork Diaries and its spin-off, “The Misadventures of Max Crumbly.
All the books in the Dork Diaries series have been on the New York Times bestseller list for the children’s category.
Rachel has two children and is a resident of Chantilly, Virginia.
Who is Nikki Maxwell?
The protagonist of the Dork Diaries series, Nicole Julianne Maxwell, is a 14-year-old girl who goes to Westchester Country Day on her scholarship.
She is a self-proclaimed dork. Nikki develops a crush on her classmate Brandon Roberts. Her best friends are Chloe Garcia and Zoey Franklin, and her enemies include MacKenzie Hollister, Tiffany Davenport, and Jessica Hunter.
Nikki is the 9th most unpopular girl at her school, according to her list. She dislikes MacKenzie, whom she calls ‘a shark in lip gloss’. Both of the girls like Brandon and compete for him, and Brandon seems to return Nikki’s feelings.
Nikki writes in her diary almost every day. She is an amazing dancer, singer, and actress.
She gains more confidence as the series progresses. Although overdramatic at times, Nikki is usually a kind-hearted and thoughtful girl.
Dork Diaries Series in Order
The series contains 17 books, of which 15 focus on the story. Book 3.5 is a guide on how to make one’s diary fun, and book 6.5 is a journal.
The first book in the Dork Diaries series is titled Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life, and it was published in 2009.
The latest book is titled Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure and is to be released in 2023.
1) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life (2009)
Published on June 2, 2009, Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life is the first book in the Dork Diaries series. The book has been released in two forms, the original and the Super Squee Edition, which contains slight changes in the images, plot, and book cover.
Nikki Maxwell is a 14-year-old girl. She is not happy when her father arranges for a scholarship to send her to a private school called Westchester Country Day.
Nikki does not fit in with her wealthy classmates and spends most of her time alone. Thankfully, she has a diary with her. But MacKenzie, a popular girl in her class, names Nikki “poopy pants” and picks on her whenever she gets the chance.
Nikki soon befriends two girls, Chloe and Zoey. Trouble starts when they take part in a school competition and face MacKenzie as their main competition.
2) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl (2010)
Published on June 8, 2010, Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl is the second book in the Dork Diaries series. It has 279 pages.
Nikki is hoping that her crush, Brandon, will ask her for a Halloween dance. But then she overhears MacKenzie Hollister brag about how Brandon asked her to dance with him instead.
A heartbroken Nikki now plans to help her little sister with ballet, and serve on the dance clean-up committee with her best friends. But later, Brandon asks her for a dance, and she realizes that MacKenzie was lying.
She forgets about her plans and agrees to dance with him, but now she needs to wear three costumes at the same time and handle two events simultaneously.
3) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star (2011)
Published on June 7, 2011, Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star is the third book in the Dork Diaries series. It contains 311 pages.
Nikki Maxwell’s father works as the school’s exterminator for her scholarship, and she will do everything she can to keep this fact a secret.
When this secret is almost about to leak out, an unexpected but perfect opportunity arrives. A talent competition is to be held at Nikki’s school, and the top performer will be awarded a scholarship.
Nikki thinks about performing a song. A lot of hilarious but heartwarming events take place, and Nikki might get a chance to go out with Brandon!
3.5) Dork Diaries: How to Dork Your Diary (2011)
How to Dork Your Diary is not a story but a guide from Nikki Maxwell on how to make your own Dork Diary. It is book 3.5 in the series and a New York Times bestseller like all the other books.
How to Dork Your Diary was released on October 8, 2011, and although it is basically a guide, it contains a brief incident narrated by Nikki.
Since the first day of her new school, Nikki Maxwell has been writing in a diary. But now she has lost it somehow, and she can’t find it even with the help of her best friends.
Her first suspect is Mackenzie, naturally. Failing to find her diary, Nikki resorts to making lessons on diary-keeping. She also gives tips on how to make one’s diary fun.
How to Dork Your Diary contains plenty of space left for the reader to fill in.
4) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess (2012)
Published on June 5, 2012, Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess is the fourth book in the Dork Diaries series. This book is also called Skating Sensation, and it contains 344 pages.
Nikki finds out that her crush Brandon volunteers at an animal shelter and doesn’t find it surprising at all.
One day Brandon tells her that the shelter is soon about to close, and after learning about a secret about Brandon that makes keeping the shelter open more important, Nikki decides to do whatever she can to keep the shelter from closing.
She, along with her best friends, enters an ice skating competition to gather enough money for the shelter. But somehow Mackenzie has the same idea. Of course, Nikki can’t let that happen. She just needs to get more creative this time.
5) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All (2012)
Published on October 2, 2012, Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All is the fifth book in the Dork Diaries series. It is also called Dead Dork and contains 321 pages.
Nikki Maxwell suddenly feels like joining student journalism, and it might have something to do with her nemesis MacKenzie starting to write gossip columns, and Nikki doesn’t want her to spread some secrets about her crush Brandon.
She becomes an advice columnist and finds answering kids’ letters interesting. But after some time, the letters begin to overflow, and she rushes to her best friends, Chloe and Zoey, for help.
6) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker (2013)
Published on June 4, 2013, Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker is the sixth book in the Dork Diaries series. It is written by Rachel Renée Russell, Erin, and Nikki Russell.
The book is also known as Holiday Heartbreak, and it contains 340 pages.
Nikki wants to ask Brandon out for a sweetheart dance, but she is afraid that he might have already agreed to dance with MacKenzie, her nemesis and the most popular girl in her class.
She also plans to collaborate with Trevor Chase on her band Dorkalicious’ original song titled Dorks Rule. But Trevor tells her later that he won’t be able to record the song.
6.5) Dork Diaries: OMG! All About Me Diary! (2013)
The book was published as book 6.5 in the series. It is not a story but a journal on how to know oneself. The book includes a question to be answered every day of the year.
It also includes answers from Nikki. The journal was published on October 1, 2013, and it contains 267 pages.
Nikki Maxwell believes that the best way to know yourself is to maintain a journal. So here it is, a journal where you can weave your very own story.
Answer the questions each day of the year, enjoy the artwork, and read Nikki Maxwell’s quotes!
7) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star (2014)
Published on June 3, 2014, Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star is the seventh book in the Dork Diaries series. It is also known as TV Star. The book contains 320 pages.
Nikki and her friends have become crazy famous after the success of their song. A reality TV crew started following them. Plus, Nikki needs to deal with her Karate lessons, voice lessons, and, of course, family problems too.
But she is confident that she can handle everything. This fame might cost Nikki her time with Brandon. She also joins the school’s karate class, but the teacher turns out to be mean.
8) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After (2014)
Published on September 30, 2014, Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After is the eighth book in the Dork Diaries series. It is also known as Once Upon a Dork. The book contains 298 pages, and the events of the story take place in April.
On April Fool’s Day, Nikki’s nemesis MacKenzie throws a dodgeball at her in gym class, which knocks her out. Everybody is worried except MacKenzie.
Meanwhile, Nikki has a wild dream where she, her best friends Chloe and Zoey, her crush Brandon, and her enemy MacKenzie all appear in the roles of some familiar-looking fairy tale characters.
9) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen (2015)
Published on June 2, 2015, Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen, often shortened to Drama Queen, is the ninth book in the Dork Diaries series. The book contains 333 pages.
Nikki Maxwell’s worst nightmare turns real when her nemesis, the popular and mean MacKenzie, finds her diary. MacKenzie also has some words of her own to share.
10) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter (2020)
The tenth book in the Dork Diaries series comes out on October 20, 2020. It is called Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter.It is also known as Puppy Love and contains 291 pages.
Nikki and her crush Brandon find seven puppies in front of the pet center, and now Nikki has to take care of them. But it is not so simple.
She needs to hide these puppies from her two parents, her school, and most importantly, the mean girl MacKenzie, who is out for revenge. Nikki tries to pet these adorable puppies amid hilarious challenges.
11) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy (2016)
The eleventh book in the Dork Diaries series came out on November 15, 2016. It is called Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy.It is also called “Frenemies Forever,” and the book contains 243 pages.
Nikki Maxwell must have the worst luck, because now she is stuck in this school called North Hampton Hills for her student exchange program, and NHH is Mackenzie’s new school. But things might get spicier as there is someone meaner than MacKenzie at NHH.
At least Nikki has the diary to help her record the drama. Can Nikki survive a week at North Hampton Hills, or will it end up a dorky disaster?
12) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe (2017)
Published on October 17th, 2017, Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe, often shortened to Crush Catastrophe, is the twelfth book in the Dork Diaries series. It contains 256 pages.
Nikki’s school year is coming to an end, but the drama continues. She has a lot of questions, starting with how she will spend her summer. Plus, she is facing a crush catastrophe.
A new visiting student seems to have a crush on her, but Nikki is afraid that hanging out with the new guy might ruin her relationship with Brandon and her best friends.
13) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday (2018)
Published on October 16, 2018, Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday is the thirteenth book in the Dork Diaries series. It is also called Birthday Drama and contains 295 pages.
Nikki is turning 15 soon, and she has a lot of plans for her birthday. She is hoping to throw an expensive pool party, but her mom does not agree with her, and wants the expenses to be within $100. How will her birthday turn out?
14) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever (2019)
Published on October 22, 2019, Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever is the fourteenth book in the Dork Diaries series. The book is also called Spectacular Superstar, and it has 295 pages.
Nikki and her friends are going on a tour with the popular band Bad Boyz. But then she meets her old nemesis, MacKenzie Hollister, there. MacKenzie was invited as a social media intern.
Even worse, MacKenzie is now her roommate. The tour has already turned awful, how will Nikki go through all this drama?
15) Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure (2023)
The fifteenth book in the Dork Diaries series, Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure, is scheduled to release on September 26, 2023.
Collections
1) Double Dork Diaries
It contains the first two books in the Dork Diaries series, Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life and Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl.
2) The Dork Diaries Collection
It contains the first 3 books of the Dork Diaries series.
3) Deluxe Dork Diaries
It includes the first 3 books and Nikki’s guide titled How to Dork Your Diary.
4) Dork Diaries Audio Gift Set: Books 1-4
The audio gift set contains the audiobooks of Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life, Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl, Tales From a Not-So-Talented Pop Star, and Tales From a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess.
5) The Dork Diaries Set: Dork Diaries Books 1, 2, 3, 3 1/2, 4, and 5
It contains the first 5 books and book 3.5 titled How to Dork Your Diary.
6) Dork Diaries Box Set
It contains the first 6 books.
7) Double Dork Diaries 2
It contains the third and fourth books titled Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star, and Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess.
8) Dear Dork/Holiday Heartbreak
It contains the fifth and sixth books titled Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All, and Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker.
9) Tales From a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess / Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All / Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
This box contains the fourth, fifth, and sixth books in the series.
10) TV Star / Once Upon a Dork
It contains the seventh and eighth books titled Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star and Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After.
11) Dork Diaries Books 7-9
It contains the seventh, eighth, and ninth books in the series.
12) Drama Queen / Puppy Love
It contains the ninth and tenth books in the series Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen and Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter.
13) Dork Diaries 8 Books Slipcase Collection
It contains the first six books in the Dork Diaries series plus How to Dork Your Diary and OMG! All About Me Diary!
14) Dork Diaries Collection Pack Set
It contains the following books:
- Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
- Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl
- Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star
- How to Dork Your Diary
- Tales from a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
- Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All
- Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
- OMG! All About Me Diary!
15) Skating Sensation, TV Star, Holiday Heartbreak, Dear Dork, Omg All About me Dairy, Dork Diaries, Party Time, Pop Star, How to be a Dork WBD
It contains the first 8 books in the Dork Diaries series.
16) Dork Diaries Box Set
It contains the following books:
- Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
- Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl
- Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star
- How to Dork Your Diary
- Tales From a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
- Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All
- Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
- Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star
- Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After
- Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen
17) Dork Diaries Collection
It contains the following books:
- Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
- Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl
- Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star
- How to Dork Your Diary
- Tales From a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
- Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All
- Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
- Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star
- Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After
- Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen
- Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter
18) Dork Diaries Books 1-11
It contains the following books:
- Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
- Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl
- Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star
- How to Dork Your Diary
- Tales From a Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess
- Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All
- Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
- Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star
- Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After
- Tales from a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen
- Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter
- Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy
19) Puppy Love, Holiday Heartbreak, TV Star, Pop Star, OMG, Skating Sensation, Party Time, How To Dork Your Diary, Drama Queen, Dear Dork, Once Upon a Dork, Dork Diaries
It contains the first 12 books in the Dork Diaries series.
20) Dork Diaries: Friendship Kit
It contains the book Dork Diaries: Party Time, and other items like a friendship bracelet craft set, a notebook, cool stickers, and friendship cards!
21) Dork Diaries Friendship Box
It contains friendship cards, a bracelet craft set, a notebook, a pen just like Nikki’s, stickers, and the Squee Edition of Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life.
22) Dork Diaries Books 1, 2, and 6.5
It contains 3 books, titled:
- Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
- Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl
- OMG! All About Me Diary!
23) Dork Diaries Books 13-15 (Boxed Set)
It contains the following books:
- Tales from a Not-So-Happy Birthday
- Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever
- Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris
24) Dork Diaries Series Rachel Renee Russell Collection Special Gift Box 4 Books Bundle
The book contains the following books:
- Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All
- Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
- OMG! All About Me Diary!
- Tales from a Not-So-Glam TV Star
25) Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter / Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy / Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastrophe
It contains the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth books in the Dork Diaries Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Dork Diaries?
How many Dork Diaries books are there?
There are 15 books in the Dork Diaries book series.
What does Dork Diaries stand for?
Also answers:
1) What is the main message of Dork Diaries?
What age is Dork Diaries appropriate for?
Dork Diaries are best for children of the age 8-14 years.
What is the grade level of Dork Diaries?
Dork Diaries is appropriate for the grade level 3-8 grades
Is Dork Diaries good for kids?
The books are funny as Nikki feuds with another student Mackenzie Hollister as they fight over their classmate Brandon.
Can an 18 year old read Dork Diaries?
Dork Diaries are most appropriate for 8-10 years old. A 18 year old may enjoy it though some may find it childish.
Also Answers:
1) Can a 16 year old read Dork Diaries?
Why Diary of a Wimpy Kid is better than Dork Diaries?
Both are unique in their own way. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a kid who deals with dysfunctional family and school bullies. In Dork Diaries, Nikki has her adventures dealing with school, friends, and being a teenager.
Many readers have mentioned that they find DOAWK more relatable and funny while DD is exaggerated. Some readers are also of the opinion that Nikki is an unlikable character.
That said, both the series are best sellers and loved by millions of children world over.
