Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Secret Crush Catastrophe

Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Secret Crush Catastrophe

juvenile/YA fiction
Middle school crushes don't always follow our fantasy scripts.
Back when I was about to start eighth grade and middle school was
junior high, two of my besties, both Kathys (a popular name choice in
the 50s and 60s), who were next door neighbors, had mad crushes on the
same boy who lived across the street from them. Their respective
fantasies had taken them to prom and beyond. They'd probably picked
bridesmaids for their formal Catholic weddings. In real life,
however, they never spoke a word to the object of their adoration.
They would sit on their lawns watching for him to come out and walk
his dog, mow his lawn, or ride his skateboard. Then they would
discuss every aspect of his appearance.
I was much less than patient with the Kathys. Romantic stalking
was not my idea of a good time. One day I told them to go over and
talk to him already. They looked shocked--as if I was suggesting
something truly improper. Fine, I'd talk to him myself. They watched
in helpless horror as I crossed the street. It turned out that he was
equally shy and had a crush...
...on me. Back then skateboards were considered to be boy
toys. I think I was the only girl in my school who had one. I rode
it whenever out of maternal eyesight. He'd been trying to catch my
eye, hoping we'd start skating together.
Anyone who has read the first eleven volumes in Rachel Renee
Russel's Dork Diaries series can guess that when Nikki's crush on
Brandon goes into overdrive, complications will arise and nemesis
MacKenzie will somehow be involved.
School is almost out for the summer. Nikki is unexpectedly
chosen to escort an exchange student from another school for a week.
Andrea turns out to be Andre, a seriously cute guy. Brandon, who has
started one-on-one obedience training with Nikki's dog, Daisy, is
suddenly jealous and distant. It doesn't help that someone (or ones)
starts posting pictures that make Nikki and Andre look like an item on
social media.
Oh, yeah, and Nikki has to make a very difficult summer vacation
decision.
Any of the Dork Diaries volumes would make for a delightful
read. You don't have to take my word for this. Over 36 million
volumes in 37 languages have been sold world wide.
On a purrrsonal note, Richards advises readers to let our inner dorks
shine through. I certainly do that. I mean what else would you call
someone who reads and reviews about 200 books a year? A decision I
just made also has dork written all over it. Recall when UMaine was
getting out for the summer, May 8 to be exact, and I made up an
ambitious list of summer goals. Then just hours later I learned that
precious Joey has cancer. As I adjusted to the new normal the goals
went out the window. Keeping the best little cat in the world as
comfortable and happy as possible became my new top priority. A
couple of days ago, with Joey still rallying and enjoying life, I
decided I might be able to accomplish just one goal: my criteria:
the one that would help most with school year time management. It is
a thorough reorganizing of my shed and house with a lot of thinning
out what I don't need like the bins of yarn in my shed and the ice
cream maker and all the clothes I don't actually use. If they have
sentimental memories I can take pictures. I think out of all my
options that is the dorkiest one possible.
Great big shout outs go out to all my fellow dorks and to the best
little cat in the world who loves me.
jules hathaway


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