I’ve been rereading the Dork Diaries since I remembered stopping over #10 because I think I grew out of it. But I also think it changed somewhat. It felt too hard trying to be hip with hashtags and such but that might just me being an old old person. Again, I guess I grew out of it.

However, now rereading it I’m struck by how nostalgic it is and some things I wished that stayed the same.

Part of my issue with the new books besides being obviously dragged out is that Nikki has so many things. She has a band, she’s getting a chance to go to Paris. While she’s still a dork, things are so much more dramatic. I mean I miss her absolute love for the Tyra Banks show, Sassy Sasha hairspray, and how interested she is in art like the art camp she has been building her portfolio on, how she wrote lovesick poems about Brandon and called the popular kids CC&P.

Also I miss this art style. It’s a bit more detailed than the usual cartoon one. See the contrast

Anyway, when I got to book 10, Tales from a Not So Friendly Frenemy I think that’s when the series starts to lose its charms. Or I just lost my nostalgia goggles. Anyway, after the big status changer of book 9, it is now May within universe. Thus only a few months before high school and before the series could end because if Nikki goes to high school, it will be out of the reader demographic age.

So Russell is forced to stretch out the time. The following books take place in the space of a week instead of a month thus dragging it longer, needing more unnecessary hijinks and miscommunications so the series can last longer. Now I understand why, it’s a popular series so they want to keep it going for as long as it can. But I’m doing that it loses its spark. Also it tries its best to spread important message like girls in STEM and cyber bullying which is admirable but sometimes it just feels inorganic and forced into the conversation rather than a natural flow of it like here in book 11.

“And why do you ate puppies?!” demanded Chase, “They’re so adorable!”

I was like, JUST GREAT!

“Um, that wasn’t me! It was some other girl named Nikki,” I lied, “She sounds like an AWFUL person. Personally, I love puppies!”

Sofia and Chase nodded in agreement.

I continued, “I was just wondering if you guys were interested in joining the science club. They’re having a membership meeting on Friday and will be planning exciting activities for next year. We need your ideas. It’ll be fun!”

“And girls in science, technology, engineering, arts and math are SUPERCOOL!” said Sofia.

“Right! S.T.E.A.M. rocks!” added Chase.” (Russell 153)

And of course by including the latest fads like duck faces and selfies, it definitely dates the book. Well it has done that since the beginning but I guess I see it more now. The previous books are dated but that’s different as it’s nostalgia geared to me an early 2000s kid.

I did notice that she made a continuity error in book 12 though. Nikki recounts a disastrous plane trip with Brianna last summer where her sister was terrified of her first plane ride so Nikki tries to bribe her with Princess Sugarplum on her phone. Incorrect because Nikki got her cellphone in December for Christmas. Big event for her. Of course, it’s understandable if the author forgot but also… kinda a big plot in books 1-4 with how much Nikki wanted and complained about having a phone.

Also tiny bit annoyed with the new love triangle being introduced for drama when things had been going so well with Brandon and Nikki. And that Nikki and Brandon have reached 12 books and still haven’t gotten to the point to admitting they like each other and Mackenzie has no chance. I am tired.

Anyway, book 13 picks things up with a surprisingly heartwarming moment between Nikki and her mom. The plot was the usual shenanigans but I personally felt that moment really made it worth the book.

Book 14 sadly disappointed. Unfortunate since it was for Dork Diaries’ 10 year anniversary but it felt contrived that Nikki would happen to have meaningful talks with each member of the Bad Boyz. Also a bit moralistic? And there was a lot of filler with a quiz about Bad Boyz members like it was a teen mag.

It fit the theme but was super unnecessary too like she was filling space instead of writing more of a story. Maybe it’s because these last three came out after my Dork Diaries phase so it doesn’t have my nostalgia filter but it also feels the plots are spread too too thin and repetitive.

I just wonder what will happen next. There’s only one more month before Nikki heads to high school which I assume will be the end as most middle school books cut off at eighth grade to fit the age demographic. Anyway, I will check it out when it does release for old times sake.