Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition
Simon and Schuster 2025
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- friendship
- fitting in
- self-esteem
- bullying and mean girls
- family
- first crush
- self-expression
- humor
About this book
Nikki Maxwell’s very first diary chronicles her move to a new middle school, where she navigates friendships, crushes, and classic cafeteria drama—with lots of doodles and laugh-out-loud moments. This full-colour edition brings her world to life with bright, energetic art that’s perfect for visual readers and fans of humorous diaries. A great pick for tweens who enjoy school stories and relatable social ups and downs, it celebrates self-expression and staying true to yourself. Light, funny, and super accessible, it’s ideal for grades 4–8.
Setting: suburban American middle school, present day
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition right for my child?
Yes — Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.4, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include friendship, fitting in, self-esteem.
How long does it take to read Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition takes around 2.9h to finish. The book has 29,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition have an AR quiz?
Yes — Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition has an AR quiz available, worth 5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition?
Dork Diaries Full-Colour Edition has an AR reading level of 5.4, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.