Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker
#6 of 15 in Dork Diaries Series
on Goodreads (29,083)
What’s inside...
In the sixth book of the Dork Diaries series, Nikki Maxwell is hoping her crush, Brandon, will ask her to the biggest dance of the year. But when she overhears mean girl Mackenzie bragging that Brandon’s taking her to the dance, Nikki agrees to go out with Mackenzie’s crush, who happens to be the school’s biggest dork. Can Nikki juggle two dates at once? It’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid for girls in this hilarious novel! It’s the biggest dance of the year and Nikki is hoping her crush, Brandon, wants to be her date. But time is running out. What if he doesn’t say yes? Or worse, what if he’s waiting for MacKenzie? It’s time for Nikki and her BFFs, Chloe and Zoey, to tackle the topic of love, Dork Diaries style!
Character compass
Nikki Maxwell
Zoey Franklin
Chloe Garcia
Brandon Roberts
Mackenzie Hollister
Discussion points
How did Nikki's experiences at the dance make you feel, and why do you think she reacted the way she did?
What would you have done differently if you were in Nikki’s shoes during her misunderstandings with her friends?
How do the illustrations enhance the story for you? Can you describe one that particularly stood out?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and communication from Nikki’s story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters and situations in the book. Validate their feelings and share your perspectives to guide their understanding of complex social interactions. Use illustrations in the book to delve deeper into discussing emotions and actions, making the conversation visually stimulating and interactive.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Nikki Maxwell, navigates various personal and social challenges, learning to understand others' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider how their actions affect others and develop healthier relationships with peers and family.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nikki encounters obstacles and setbacks but continually finds ways to persevere and remain optimistic.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of not giving up when facing difficulties, encouraging them to keep trying and learning from their experiences.
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: Nikki learns valuable lessons about the consequences of being dishonest in friendships and other relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by practicing honesty and building trust in their own relationships, recognizing that truthfulness leads to more genuine connections.
Example Lesson: Self-expression and creativity
Explanation: Nikki uses her diary as a creative outlet to express her thoughts and emotions, which helps her cope with her teenage life.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and express their own emotions through creative activities such as writing, drawing, or other artistic endeavors.
Example Lesson: Navigating peer pressure
Explanation: The book illustrates how Nikki handles peer pressure and makes choices that align with her values, even when it's tough.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of staying true to themselves and making decisions based on what they feel is right, rather than succumbing to the influence of others.