Tales From a Not-So-Glam TV Star (Dork Diaries, 7)

Tales From a Not-So-Glam TV Star
by Rachel Renee Russell
with Nikki Russell and Erin Russell
Aladdin
2014
320 pages
ISBN: 9781442487673


Rachel Renee Russell just keeps getting it right; this time, with the help of her two young daughters. They each co-wrote the book with their mother and their voice shines through and captivates. This Dork Diaries delivers!

Nikki Maxwell is back and she's true to her loveable dorky self. When she gets a phone call from famous  television producer Trevor Chase to meet him at the local Bad Boyz concert to discuss recording her band's song, Nikki accepts back stage passes for herself and her BFFs Zoey and Chloe. The girls are told to pick up their passes at the box office. There's only one problem: MacKenzie! Mean girl MacKenzie just happens to be at the box office when they show up and she swipes their passes and masquerades with her friends as Nikki's entourage. A cranky security guard denies Nikki and her BFFs access into the concert, even though they tell him their passes are either stolen or missing. The girls sneak in and are mistaken as backup dancers and glammed up by the make up and hair team. An outrageous run in with all parties  backstage turns into a true melee until Trevor Chase shows up and sorts everything out.

He offers Nikki a reality tv show, much to MacKenzie's seething chagrin! Everywhere Nikki goes with cameras following her, MacKenzie is sure to show up and try to steal Nikki's thunder. Lucky for Nikki, each time she ends up  on top with more and more fans.

Even though being a pop princess and a reality show star sounds glamorous, Nikki can't find time for Brandon without cameras following her. As she becomes more famous, she is pushed away from Brandon and she worries about it.

Girls will cheer on Nikki! It's nice to see the underdog achieve success and trump the beautiful and evil girl. Nikki is charming, adorable, and dorky. She will encourage all of us to embrace our inner dork. The Dork Diaries series picks up speed with each book, gaining more and more of a worldwide following. It has everything a young reader could ask for: a perky, funny, captivating protagonist, an evil, manipulative villain--MacKenzie, two sidekicks who truly have Nikki's back, a cute and sweet love interest--Brandon, quirky parents--Nikki's father owns an extermination service and drives around in a van with a giant cockroach on top, and a cast of minor characters--each enriching the story and Nikki's character.

This is a winning book that is sure to please.

Highly, highly recommended grade 5-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Dork Diaries: OMG! All About Me Diary!

Dork Diaries: OMG! All About Me Diary!
by Rachel Renee Russell
Aladdin
2013
265 pages

Tweens and fans of the series will love filling in the pages of their very own diary. Funny and unstoppable Nikki Maxwell leads readers to write with prompts like, "Have you ever told someone a personal secret and the THEY told someone else? What was the secret and WHO told it?" and "OMG! You're working at a KISSING BOOTH to raise money for CHARITY? Name the first six people in line for kisses!"

Readers also get Nikki's comments on a variety of topics including: boys, of course, school, friends, food, fun, music and more. Russell's illustrations are spot on and bring Nikki to life. Each day of the year gets its own entry, so readers become writers! There are blanks for Year 1 and Year 2, so readers/writers can keep their diary and work in it for two years. Nikki says, " Maybe one day your diary will become a really popular book series! How cool would that be?"

Highly, highly recommended for any fan of the series. This is a great Christmas or birthday gift that will keep girls writing all year long. Grade 4-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Wimpy Pick: The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, book 7)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Third Wheel
by Jeff Kinney
Amulet
2012
217 pages (paperback)

Greg Heffley is back again with his trusted sidekick Rowley. This time, love is in the air and the Valentine's Day dance is just a few days away. Greg doesn't want to be the only one who goes stag, but he doesn't know how to ask a girl out. His mooch of an uncle tries to help him out. Uncle Gary has "...been married something like four times already, so he's an EXPERT on relationships" Greg realizes. Greg asks for advice from wise old Gary.

The illustrations in the seventh installment are just as funny as the earlier books. Kinney seems to have a natural talent for all things boy and all things wimpy.

Manny (the younger brother) is growing up but still has invisible friends and Greg finds it impossible to tell whether one of the invisible friends is sitting on the couch or not, so he avoids "hurting" one of Manny's friends. Rodrick, the evil older brother, makes a brief appearance as does Greg's dad, but the story revolves around Greg and his funny attempts to appear "date-worthy." No matter what he does, Greg seems to lose.

Uncle Gary finally wins the lotto and is able to leave the Heffley's couch. Rowley gets the girl, but Greg is okay with it. Middle school is rough for the wimpy kid, heck, it's rough for everyone. Middle school--it's not for sissies!

Highly, highly recommended grades 5-up. No language.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I purchased this book for my library. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)