Audiobook Jukebox Review: Dork Diaries 5: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All

 Audiobook Review

 

Dork Diaries 5: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All

• by Rachel Renee Russell
• Narrated by Jenni Barber
• UNABRIDGED  
  
• Running Time: Approximately 3 hours 

Publisher's Summary

Nikki Maxwell authors an advice column for the school newspaper in this fifth installment of the New York Times best-selling Dork Diaries series.

Nikki Maxwell develops a sudden interest in student journalism that may or may not (okay, definitely does) have to do with the fact that mean girl Mackenzie has started writing a gossip column. And there just might be some info involving Nikki’s crush, Brandon, that Nikki doesn’t want Mackenzie reporting to the world. So Nikki joins the school newspaper staff - and ends up as an advice columnist!  It’s fun at first, answering other kids’ letters. But when Miss Know-It-All’s inbox is suddenly overflowing with pleas for guidance, Nikki feels in need of some help herself. Fortunately she has BFFs Chloe and Zoey on her side - and at her keyboard! 

My Review

Although this is Russell's fifth installment in this series, I had not previously read or listened to any of the Dork Diaries.  Fans of the series will most likely be eager to get their hands on book number five.  If you are like me, though, and have not yet read one of the books, rest assured that you will still enjoy listening to book number five. Fans of books written in a diary-style and tween girls will especially find this audiobook of interest.  Nikki Maxwell, the author of this tween diary, gives readers enough background and detail into her current situations, that readers are easily able to feel as if they have known her from the beginning of her diary-keeping-days.  Jenni Barber's dramatic narration of Nikki's diary convinces listeners that they are listening to a tween's melodramatic adventures and daily musings. 

Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All, offers listeners a great way to ring in the New Year, as Nikki's latest diary begins with a prank that occurs over the winter break and leads to a lot of drama in the new year!  Tween girls will easily relate to Nikki as she recounts, in detail, her feelings as she deals with the antics of mean-girl, Mackenzie, her pesky younger sister, her crush, Brandon, and the support of her best friends, Chloe and 

Zoey.  So, grab your favorite blanket, curl up in a cozy spot, and listen to Dork Diaries 5: Tales from a Not-So-Smart Miss Know-It-All!

It's Poetry Friday! Taking A "Poetry Break!" with Alan Katz

NYSRA, Syracuse, NY October 2012:  Taking a "Poetry Break!" with author Alan Katz!  

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is hosting today's Poetry Friday Round-Up at The Poem Farm!  Be sure to visit her blog for lots of poetry delights!

 

 

 

“Alan Katz: A Silly Dilly Author”                                                                                           

NYSRA Conference 2012 attendees may have been lucky enough to experience a relaxing, humorous, and inspirational breakfast and/or conference session with funny-man and author, Alan Katz!  Mr. Katz has a long list of credits to his name, including, having written for television shows, games shows, children’s programing, newspapers, comic books, poetry books, trading cards, games, picture books, and much more!  Mr. Katz inspired and entertained his audience by sharing his own writing stories and inspiration for their creation.  One such strategy is for writing parodies.  First one must select a well-known song, then count the number of syllables in each line, and finally change the lyrics to match your topic.  Singing silly songs is what led Mr. Katz to create silly poetry and tales.  He has always enjoyed writing and writing about the ordinary, which is often funny and silly.  A major source of writing inspiration has always come from his experiences with his own family.  Mr. Katz’s many songs, poems and stories have sprung onto the page as a result of something his children have said or done.  Additional advice for achieving one’s dreams, offered by Mr. Katz, is “if you want to be a writer (or whatever interests you), you need to get out there and write (or do whatever it is you want to do)!  

Alan Katz’s book titles include:

Oops!   

                                                                                                                                     Poems I Wrote While No One Was Looking

Don’t Say That Word!  

                                                                                                                
Several Silly Dilly Songbooks      

                                                                                                                                          
Karate Pig

Be sure to check out these funny and engaging poetry books, silly song books, and picture books!  You will also not want to miss Alan Katz's website.  Click here to visit his site! 

Literary Quote: Expect Miracles

I am realistic.  I expect miracles.  

~Wayne Dyer

As we enter into the winter holiday season, we become especially mindful of all the joys of the season.  I feel though, that everyday is a blessing.  We should expect great things from our everyday lives, no matter what the time of year.  For me, family, good friends, pets, delicious food, and of course, books offer daily opportunities for miraculous happenings!  

Take time today (and everyday) to read something great!  

Here is a fabulous suggestion for something great to read . . . 

Here is an inspiring true story about an abandoned kitten who makes a small town library his home.  If you don't already, Dewey Readmore Books, a loveable cat will have you believing in miracles!

Picture book version.

Librarian, Vicki Myron (with Bret Witter) tells the story of Dewey the Library Cat in this heart-warming true story. 

Visit The Spencer Library's website to read or listen to an excerpt from the book.   

A version for middle grade readers.

Dewey's Christmas adventures are featured in this holiday picture book. 

Read Dewey's Bio here!

Visit Dewey Readmore Books' Website! 

A Thanksgiving Quote

In honor of Thanksgiving I'd like to share a special song that is a favorite of a special friend and colleague.  What a beautiful song with beautiful sentiments, especially as we look forward to spending Thanksgiving with our family and friends.  

Thanks a lot to my friend, Ellen!  

Thanks a Lot 

   by Raffi 

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for Sun in the sky.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for clouds so high.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for whispering wind.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for the birds in the spring.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for the moonlit night.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for the stars so bright.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for the wondering me.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for the way I feel.

Thanks for the animals,
Thanks for the land,
Thanks for the people everywhere.

Thanks a lot,
Thanks for all I've got.
Thanks for all I've got. 

You can find Thanks a Lot on Raffi's album, Baby Beluga. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Book Quote: A Bad Day

When I went to bed Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep and the Mickey Mouse night light burned out and I bit my tongue.  The cat wants to sleep with Anthony not me. 

          It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. 
          
          My mom says some days are like that.  

~Alexander from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst 

Picture Books: Connecting With Characters

Mrs. Erin Mellander with her favorite picture book.

Today we welcome the kindergarten consultant teacher from Calvin Coolidge Elementary School, Mrs. Erin Mellander!

Here's her favorite picture book and the story behind why she loves it!

Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day by Judith viorst

It has always been one of my favorite books because it is so truthful. Sometimes it seems that no matter what you do, the day is doomed. I always felt the author was being so honest about what it was like to be a kid. I grew up as the middle child and I sometimes felt like I was the only one who didn't get what I wanted. I really related to Alexander! As a teacher who works with students who have A LOT of bad days, I read this to them to let them know that there is always another day. When you have another day....there is another chance to get it right!

There is also more books with Alexander. Alexander who used to be rich last Sunday and Alexander who's not( do you hear me? I mean it!) going to move. I also love both of these Alexander stories and when I started building my own classroom library, the boxed set of these stories was the first thing I bought!

 

Mother Goose Monday: Character Cupcakes!

A cracked up Humpty Dumpty cupcake designed by my daughter, Sarah Merrill!

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall!
All the king's horses
And all the king's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again!

Character cupcakes are a delicious way to celebrate any rhyme, poem, or picture book!