Dork Diaries

#1 New York Times Bestselling Series

lined paper backgroundWhat is 10 times WORSE than a
BRATTY little SISTER?!A bratty little sister who’s STOLEN your DIARY!!Pre-Order Book 16 Today!
Get an autographed and personalized copy of your FAV Dork Diaries book!Your book will come with a FREE Dork Diaries bookmark and two stickers.Order

.

rachel russell author bio

About the Author:

Rachel Renée Russell

Rachel Renée Russell is a #1 New York Times bestselling children’s author internationally known for her two book series, Dork Diaries and The Misadventures of Max Crumbly.

She has written 20 consecutive New York Times bestsellers, making her the bestselling Black author in the world, surpassing acclaimed authors such as Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Alex Haley12. 

Russell’s books are filled with middle-school drama, angst, and lighthearted humor. Most importantly, they contain vital messages for today’s youth, which include:

  • Embrace your individuality
  • Stand strong and confident in who you are
  • Develop supportive friendships
  • Realize that bullying and mean-girl behaviors are NOT a reflection of who you are, and seek adult intervention if necessary.

These empowering messages have resonated with readers around the world, especially tween girls.

DORK DIARIES

Dork Diaries is an international bestselling series of 17 books chronicling the life and misadventures of middle schooler Nikki Maxwell. The books can be seen at this link. Nikki struggles to fit in at her new school and feels overwhelmed until she meets her new best friends, Zoey Franklin and Chloe Garcia.

Nikki’s diary contains journal entries, doodles, comic strips, and drawings reflecting her innermost thoughts and feelings as she attempts to survive middle school and her nemesis, the super-popular, mean girl, MacKenzie Hollister.

Her adorkable personality, girl-next-door familiarity, horribly embarrassing moments, mean girl drama, and exciting triumphs have resonated deeply with readers.

Most importantly, the series’ diverse cast of characters reflects the millions of tweens who read the books.

Publisher Simon & Schuster stated that more than 55 million copies of Dork Diaries books were in print worldwide in 2020, and an additional 2 million copies of Book 15 were printed for the USA in October 20233.

The series has been translated into 45 languages in 52 countries4. Some of the international versions of the books can be seen at this link.

Dork Diaries has spent 331 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers List For Children’s & Young Adult Series5.

Russell also made the Forbes List for the Top 5 Highest Earning Children’s Authors worldwide, along with literary giants J.K. Rowling and Dr. Suess6.

AWARDS AND HONORS

Russell has earned numerous awards since the launch of her two best-selling book series. 

In 2015, she received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children’s for Dork Diaries Book 8: Tales from a Not-So-Happily Ever After7.

Three of Russell’s books have received Children’s Choice Book Awards from the Children’s Book Council and International Reading Association8. The awards in the Fifth and Sixth Grade Book of the Year category went to Dork Diaries books in 2011 (Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life)9, 2013 (Tales From A Not-So-Graceful Ice Princess)10, and 2017 (The Misadventures of Max Crumbly – Locker Hero)11.

In 2010, Dork Diaries was nominated for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Book12. And in 2014, Russell received the Milner Award for her contributions to children’s literature as chosen by student readers13.

THE MISADVENTURES OF MAX CRUMBLY

In children’s literature, male characters far outnumber female ones14. However, this fact didn’t stop Russell’s male Dork Diaries fans from begging for a series featuring a boy main character. She responded with her second New York Times bestselling book series, The Misadventures of Max Crumbly, a spin-off from Dork Diaries. The three Max Crumbly books can be seen at this link.

On a Friday evening after school, Max Crumbly is locked inside his locker by the school bully. When he finally breaks out of his locker after dark, he accidentally interrupts a burglary: two bumbling thieves are stealing the school’s new computer lab equipment.

It’s “Home Alone At School” when Max declares war on the two thugs and engages them in hand-to-hand combat in a hilarious food fight. The three-book series spent 38 weeks on the New York Times best-sellers lists for the Middle Grade and Series categories151617.  

FANDOM, FAMILY, AND INSPIRATION

In addition to her relatable stories, Russell is known for creating a sense of community for her readers, who consider her characters their best friends18. The Dork Diaries website, now 14 years old, contains thousands of pages. It features blog posts from Nikki Maxwell and her friends, a newsletter, a moderated comments section for fans, an advice column, a section featuring real tween girls changing the world, games, a “Dork Maker” so readers can create themselves as a Dork Diaries character, fan artwork, and much more!

Although Russell had a successful 25-year career as an attorney, writing has been her passion since childhood. In 2009, at age 50, she switched careers and became a full-time author when Dork Diaries Book 1: Tales From a Not-So Fabulous Life landed on the New York Times bestsellers list during its first week of release.

The Dork Diaries series was inspired by Russell’s childhood and her two daughters’ middle school experiences. Her younger daughter, Nikki Russell, illustrates both book series and is the namesake of the main character, Nikki Maxwell. 

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

Russell wants young people to know they are unique, special, and valued. She shared this message during recent appearances with her daughter, Nikki, on the television shows Good Morning America19, CBS Mornings20, and Fox News Great Day Washington21.

Russell’s greatest reward is hearing from readers, including some who are now adults, that her books provided joy, inspiration, and encouragement during challenging times in their lives22.

Due to the massive popularity of the Dork Diaries series as an international brand, Russell has been offered shows and movie deals from several major streaming platforms and Hollywood studios, including Netflix. However, she ultimately turned down all streaming offers due to the lack of theatrical movie releases featuring girls. Despite girls making up half of the children’s population, most movies for kids shown in theaters feature boys, superheroes, and/or animals. Russell’s dream is for her female fans to see girls like themselves in a Dork Diaries movie at their local movie theater.

As the Dork Diaries series turns 15 years old, Russell feels the best is yet to come. In October 2024, she will release her 18th book in the series to a new generation of readers. Russell remains more committed than ever to inspiring and empowering children worldwide, especially girls!

  1. “Meet the Women behind the International Sensation, ‘the Dork Diaries.’” 2023. Wusa9.com. October 6, 2023. https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/meet-the-women-behind-the-international-sensation-the-dork-diaries/65-53e664b4-3f65-4fa6-bbcd-e7df522f78fa. ↩︎
  2. —. “List of Black New York Times Best Selling Authors.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Black_New_York_Times_Best_Selling_Authors ↩︎
  3. Lodge |, Sally. 2020. “The Votes Are In: ‘Dork Diaries’ Fans Select New Book’s Cover.” PublishersWeekly.com. April 21, 2020. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/83110-the-votes-are-in-dork-diaries-fans-select-new-book-s-cover.html. ↩︎
  4. “Rachel Renée Russell.” n.d. Simon & Schuster. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.simonandschuster.net/authors/Rachel-Renee-Russell/49850702. ↩︎
  5. The New York Times. 2024. “Children’s & Young Adult Series Books – Best Sellers – Books – Jan. 7, 2024 – the New York Times,” July 1, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2024/01/07/series-books/. ↩︎
  6. Robehmed, Natalie. 2016. “The Top-Earning Children’s Authors 2016 – 2016-07-06 – the Top-Earning Children’s Authors 2016.” Forbes. July 6, 2016. https://www.forbes.com/pictures/577d0960a7ea436bd18c260e/the-top-earning-childrens/?sh=62270e4364f4. ↩︎
  7. Wikipedia Contributors. 2023. “NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. March 23, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NAACP_Image_Award_for_Outstanding_Literary_Work_–_Children#2010s. ↩︎
  8. “Choices Reading Lists.” n.d. Www.literacyworldwide.org. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/get-resources/reading-lists. ↩︎
  9. “The Children’s Book Choice Awards: 2010 Winners and Finalists.” Www.cbcbooks.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/2010-winners/. ↩︎
  10. “The Children’s Book Choice Awards: 2013 Winners and Finalists.” n.d. Www.cbcbooks.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/2013-finalists/. ↩︎
  11. “The Children’s Book Choice Awards: 2017 Winners and Finalists.” Www.cbcbooks.org. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://www.cbcbooks.org/cbc-book-lists/2017-finalists/. ↩︎
  12. ———. 2024. “Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Book.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. April 11, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids%27_Choice_Award_for_Favorite_Book. ↩︎
  13. “Previous Recipients – the Milner Award – Student Voted.” n.d. The Milner Awards. Accessed May 22, 2024. https://themilneraward.org/about-us/previous-recipients/. ↩︎
  14. Casey, Kennedy, Kylee Novick, and Stella F. Lourenco. 2021. “Sixty Years of Gender Representation in Children’s Books: Conditions Associated with Overrepresentation of Male versus Female Protagonists.” Edited by Jennifer Steele. PLOS ONE 16 (12): e0260566. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260566. ↩︎
  15. “Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – July 9, 2017 – the New York Times.” The New York Times, 9 July 2017, www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/07/09/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/. Accessed 28 May 2024. ↩︎
  16. “Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – Oct. 8, 2017 – the New York Times.” The New York Times, 8 Oct. 2017, www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2017/10/08/childrens-middle-grade-hardcover/. Accessed 28 May 2024. ↩︎
  17. “Children’s & Young Adult Series Books – Best Sellers – Books – June 23, 2019 – the New York Times.” The New York Times, 23 June 2019, www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2019/06/23/series-books/. Accessed 28 May 2024. ↩︎
  18. Lodge |, Sally. 2020. “The Votes Are In: ‘Dork Diaries’ Fans Select New Book’s Cover.” PublishersWeekly.com. April 21, 2020. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/83110-the-votes-are-in-dork-diaries-fans-select-new-book-s-cover.html. ↩︎
  19. America, Good Morning. 2023. “New ‘Dork Diaries’ Promotes Anti-Bullying.” Good Morning America. October 19, 2023. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/gma3/video/new-dork-diaries-promotes-anti-bullying-104142228. ↩︎
  20. “Watch CBS Mornings: ‘Dork Diaries’ Authors on New Book – Full Show on CBS.” 2023. Www.cbs.com. September 25, 2023. https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/lzVNtRRUADWsS3Qe9r60N9rfeN92D1K2/. ↩︎
  21. “Meet the Women behind the International Sensation, ‘the Dork Diaries.’” 2023. Wusa9.com. October 6, 2023. https://www.wusa9.com/video/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-washington/meet-the-women-behind-the-international-sensation-the-dork-diaries/65-53e664b4-3f65-4fa6-bbcd-e7df522f78fa. ↩︎
  22. Comment, Amanda MacGregor Leave a. “An Interview with Rachel Renée Russell, the Author of Dork Diaries 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure.” Teen Librarian Toolbox, 26 Sept. 2023, teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2023/09/26/an-interview-with-rachel-renee-russell-the-author-of-dork-diaries-15-tales-from-a-not-so-posh-paris-adventure/. ↩︎