Dear Dumb Diary, It's Not My Fault I Know Everything (#8)

Benton, Jim. (2009) New York: Scholastic. 978-0-439-82597-9

PLOT SUMMARY

Through daily entries in a diary, Jamie Kelly relates the intricacies of her life as a know it all middle school girl, eventually discovering through the help of her best friend Isabella and her worst enemy Angeline, that she doesn't really know it all.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

The strength and attitude of the main character kept this story moving along at a steady clip. Because the main character is an angst ridden tween, there is a definite appeal for young girls. Even the format--short diary entries--makes this book an inviting option for girls looking to find a character with whom they can relate.


READER'S ANNOTATION

Many things irritate Jamie Kelly: the trials and tribulations of her relationships with her best friend Isabella, her worst enemy Angeline, boys that might like her, and school of course. She makes daily entries in her diary and discovers that perhaps not everything is so black and white, and maybe she really doesn't know everything.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Benton was born October 31, 1960 and is an established author and illustrator. He has created several children's series and received various awards for his artwork including a nomination in 2009 to the National Cartoonist Society Book Illustration for Cherise the Niece.

GENRE

Humor

CURRICULUM TIES

Have students keep a diary for several weeks in which they include not only their daily activities, but also their plans for achieving any of their long/short terms goals for the year

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

What are some of the changes that the main character goes through? How does that affect the way you look at her? How would you react if you were her best friend and she was treating you the same way?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

9-12

CHALLENGE ISSUES

none

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

This book was so funny, from the illustrations to the way the main character is so self centered and quick to judge. It really takes into account the way girls are (or can be) and I feel that many of them would be able to relate to at least Jamie, the best friend Isabella, or Angeline.