Dork Diaries Tales from a NotSoBest Friend Forever
#14 of 15 in Dork Diaries Series
on Goodreads (7,983)
What’s inside...
In this latest installment of the Dork Diaries series, Nikki Maxwell’s summer is packed with drama as she and her bandmates embark on a tour as the opening act for the Bad Boyz. Nikki is looking forward to an awesome summer but is worried when her frenemy, MacKenzie Hollister, becomes a social media intern for the tour. Nikki's worries turn into a meltdown when she discovers that MacKenzie is her new roommate. The drama escalates as Nikki's dream tour quickly goes from awesome to awful. Will Nikki survive this rollercoaster of emotions in 'Dork Diaries 14: Tales from a Not-So-Best Friend Forever'?
Discussion points
How do you think Nikki felt when she faced challenges with her friends, and how would you feel in a similar situation?
What did Nikki learn about friendship in this story? Can you relate her experiences to any of your own friendships?
Why do you think it's important for Nikki to express her feelings in her diary, and how do you express your own feelings?
How do the illustrations in the book add to the story? Which drawing was your favorite and why?
If you could give one piece of advice to Nikki, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences with friendships to Nikki’s, fostering empathy and self-reflection.
Discuss the importance of expressing feelings, whether through writing like Nikki or another medium, highlighting emotional literacy.
Ask your child about their favorite parts of the book and why, to promote critical thinking and personal connection to the reading.
Explore the morals and lessons in the story together, which can help reinforce positive values and decision-making skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy and understanding.
Explanation: In the book, the protagonist Nikki learns to navigate complex social situations by showing empathy towards her friends, even when she feels left out.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding and valuing their peers' feelings and perspectives, which promotes healthier and more supportive friendships.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges.
Explanation: Nikki faces numerous challenges throughout the book, including feeling betrayed by a close friend. Despite these setbacks, she demonstrates resilience by finding solutions and maintaining a positive attitude.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children that setbacks are a part of life and that staying positive and proactive can help them overcome difficulties.
Example Lesson: The value of honesty in relationships.
Explanation: The story highlights moments where honesty plays a key role in resolving conflicts and strengthening relationships between characters.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being honest in their interactions, which fosters trust and open communication in their relationships.
Example Lesson: The significance of personal growth.
Explanation: Throughout the book, Nikki develops new skills and grows emotionally, learning from her experiences and the conflicts she faces.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to see personal development as a continuous and beneficial process, inspiring them to embrace learning opportunities and personal reflection.