Nikki's hoping the gift her mother gives her before she starts school at Westchester Country Day will be a brand new cell phone, so she can fit in with the CCP (Cute, Cool & Popular) group at her new school. Instead, it's a blank book. Nikki is crushed, because 'Absolutely no one writes their most intimate feelings and deep dark secrets in a diary anymore! WHY?! Because just one or two people knowing all your BIZ could completely ruin your reputation. You're supposed to post this kind of juicy stuff online in your BLOG so MILLIONS can read it!!!' Nikki writes (and draws) in the diary anyway. When the school year starts, Nikki's locker is next to MacKenzie the most popular (and meanest) girl in eighth grade. As Nikki says, 'To call MacKenzie a 'mean girl' would be an understatement. She's VICIOUS! She's a PIT BULL in glittery eye shadow and Jimmy Choo flip-flops!' Nikki may be the new girl at Westchester Country Day, but when she hears about the school's art show, Random Acts of Avant-Garde Art, she's determined to win the five hundred dollar prize. Then, it turns out MacKenzie plans to enter, too. Can Nikki make the transformation from 'social challenged ART DORK' to 'socially charmed ART DIVA?' Read her diary to find out.

Awards won: 2010 Children's Choice Book Award

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/4/2010

ISBN-10: 1416980067

ISBN-13: 9781416980063

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A family that lives in New York City goes on vacation and meets their long-lost cousins. Peter (the big brother) tells this out-of-control story from his heart. Fudge (the little brother) is crazy for money! If you like this one, take a look at other books starring Fudge- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge, and Fudge-a-mania.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/6/2009

ISBN-10: 0525469265

ISBN-13: 9780525469261

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Wiley and Grampa set off for the Monster Truck Spectacular on Halloween night. Dracula, who runs the show, chooses them to face The Mudsucker, the world's first vampire truck! Will Wiley and Grampa survive the show and live to have another adventure? Full of gross stuff, monster trucks, and cartoons, this is the ultimate read for anyone who loves funny books. Look for other books in the Wiley and Grampa's Creature Features series.

Similar books: Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey; Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 8/26/2010

ISBN-10: 0316059412

ISBN-13: 9780316059411

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Read this amusing story of how Dragon spends his day. First Dragon wakes up groggy and when Dragon wakes up groggy, he does everything wrong. He reads an egg and fries the morning paper. Then he makes a mess doing his housework. He goes grocery shopping and buys more food than he can fit in his car. Will Dragon ever get it right? Also look for: A Friend for Dragon: Dragon's First Tale; Dragon's Merry Christmas: Dragon's Third Tale; Dragon's Fat Cat: Dragon's Fourth Tale

Similar books: A Friend for Dragon: Dragon's First Tale; Dragon's Merry Christmas: Dragon's Third Tale; Dragon's Fat Cat: Dragon's Fourth Tale

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 6/26/2009

ISBN-10: 0531059359

ISBN-13: 9780531059357

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Unable to control her magic, Princess Emma sneezes and turns into a frog. What a nuisance! Dragon's Breath continues her adventures as a witch-in-training in a wondrous world of dragons, green witches, and other fantastic creatures. This is book two in the Tales of the Frog Princess series.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 1582346666

ISBN-13: 9781582346663

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