Once upon a Dork: Tales from a not-so-fabulous life by Rachel Renee Russell

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Dork Diaries Bk 8. Simon & Schuster, 2014. ISBN 9781471122781
(Age: 8-11) Nikki Maxwell is back in the eighth installment of this much-loved series, a fan favourite right across the globe. Nikki records her life openly and at times is a little too honest, her diary is filled with cartoons, exclamations, emoticons and funny incidents.
Nikki attracts trouble. Imagine Brianna her sister's lunch - a peanut butter, jelly and pickle sandwich adhered to her new sweater on display on the first day of school. Even Sassy Sasha perfume can't remove the smell. When Nikki's class play Dodgeball for P.E. class of course she is the target, Mackenzie the mean girl, hits her hard in the face. Instead of waking up in a familiar environment, Nikki has a wild dream all her friends, classmates, her crush Brandon and Mackenzie have turned into fairy tale creatures. As Nikki travels through Fairy Tale Land she encounters all the Rogues, Renegades and Regals. She meets characters from the Wizard of Oz, hinders Goldilocks, is chased by the bears and attends Cinderella's ball - of course Brandon is the handsome prince.
Some of the funniest scenes are Nikki's encounters with Rapunzel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty who are tired of being princesses and want to escape their fairy tale lives.
Rachel Renee Russell has created a likeable character whose crazy family, friends and school life provide great enjoyment for fans from 8-11.
Rhyllis Bignell

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