by Jim Benton (Illustrator)
Read the hilarious, candid (and sometimes not-so-nice), diaries of Jamie Kelly, who promises that everything in her diary is true -- or at least as true as it needs to be. Jamie is crushing on Hudson. Someone too-gross-to-be- named is crushing on Jamie. And Hudson is crushing on . . . Princess Turd of Turdsylvania (a.k.a. The Prettiest Girl in the World). Middle school may be grim, but it's no fairy tale. And crazy doesn't even begin to cover it.
Format: Illustrated
Pages: 160
Edition: Illustrated
Publisher: Scholastic US
Published: 01 Jun 2005
ISBN 10: 0439629071
ISBN 13: 9780439629072
Children’s book age: 9-11 Years
From Our Editors The Barnes & Noble Review
The hilarious author of the Franny K. Stein, Mad Scientist books zaps fans with another new series, this time about a girl braving the trials and tribulations of middle school. Told in knee-slapping diary entries, the first installment of Jamie Kelly's tales begins as the worst thing that can happen to you in middle school almost occurs: getting a nasty nickname (for all of you uneducated souls out there). From there, Jamie goes on to describe a schoolmate's misfortune of using ChocoMint lip smacker; her interest in almost-hunk boy Hudson Rivers; and most of all her unkind feelings toward Angeline, a pretty blonde girl who Jamie's sure is scorpion-like beneath her sweet exterior. But when a mysterious culprit smacks the school's cafeteria monitor in her neck blubber with meatloaf, Jamie takes the heat and winds up almost-pals with Angeline. Jim Benton delivers a wonderfully silly series that combines his knack for knowing what kids love to read with fun illustrations. Young audiences will eat up Jamie's diary descriptions of stealing Angeline's hair out of the wastebasket, her glazed cousin, and just about every other crazy event that happens, while parents are sure to see their kids beg for more Dumb Diary books. As the subtitle suggests, we can pretend this never happened, but in reality we're sure happy it did. Shana Taylor
This book's witty and satiric sense of humor is sure to resonate with kids and make these books a must-have. BIG BLUE DOT Trend Update
From the Fans
omg u totally rule!!!! i luv happy bunny! and i read dear dumb diary... its so hillarious!lol --dani
yo mr.benton, u r totally AWESOME!!! I'm totally trying to get my mom to buy me the 2nd dumb diary book!! they r hilarious!! (but true!!!): ) -- sk8erbear
dear dumb diary is an awesome book I did that for my book report. Keith
I'm going to start collecting your books. I'll call it, My Collection of Books By Jim Benton. -- Olivia L.
Thanks for making reading so much fun! --Jennifer L.
My daughter recently purchased your first edition of your Dear Diary books at a school book fair. I must admit. . . I don't know who enjoyed the book more, my daughter or me. (I am 31 and my daughter is 9!!) I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard! It was hysterical! Congrats on a great new series! --Marisa W.
My 9-year-old daughter loved your book! She actually laughed out loud
while reading it! It is qui