Recommended If You Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and/or Dork Diaries

Books for elementary and middle school students who love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid and/or Dork Diaries series. Several titles in this list are the first in a series.

Updated April 7, 2026
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Oliver's great big universe
Cham, Jorge
Paper Book
This laugh-out-loud illustrated series is "mind-expanding and hilarious!" says Jeff Kinney, author of the international bestselling series Diary of a Wimpy Kid. "An absolute gem!" Lincoln Peirce, bestselling creator of Big Nate, agrees. "Will get the entire family...
Worst Broommate Ever!
Coven, Wanda
Paper Book
A New York Times bestseller! In this hilarious first book in the Middle School and Other Disasters series, witch-in-training Heidi Heckelbeck juggles magical mishaps and everyday mayhem at her new boarding school. It's goodbye, Brewster Elementary and...
Words apart
Lucido, Aimee
Paper Book
Olive thinks in words. Mattie thinks in pictures. Can they find a way to speak the same language "Thoughtfully exploring learning disabilities, divorce, crushes, and the struggle to fit in, this inviting, cleverly constructed story with richly multifaceted characters...
Maple's theory of fun
McMillan, Kate
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Emmie & Friends, this first book in a diary-style illustrated middle grade series follows an anxious, science-minded sixth grader determined to become fun and win back her friend. Sixth grade has been pretty disaster-free for aspiring...
Accidental trouble magnet
Mian, Zanib
Ebook
An exciting middle-grade debut starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination. An NPR Best Book of the Year. Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar! Omar and his family have just moved, and he is NOT excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too...
No fear!
Moore, Steve
Paper Book
From the nationally syndicated cartoonist of "In the Bleachers" comes a new, highly illustrated middle grade series about Steve, who plays the same position in every sport: bench-warmer. Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Timmy Failure, King of the Bench is an ode to teammates,...
Mistakes were made
Pastis, Stephan.
Paper Book
Want to aspire to greatness? Check out this edition of Timmy Failure's first adventure--featuring the bonus section "How to Draw Timmy and Total." He may be clueless, but the comically self-confident Timmy Failure is CEO of the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the...
Jacky Ha-Ha
Patterson, James
Paper Book
In this #1 New York Times bestselling novel, get to know Jacky Ha-Ha, a funny class clown who loves to make people laugh--even when everything else in her life feels anything but silly. With her irresistible urge to tell a joke in every situation-...
Jake the fake keeps it real
Robinson, Craig
Paper Book
For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes a new side-splitting series from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and cartoonist Keith Knight. Jake can barely play an instrument...
New school skirmish
Tokushige, Zoe
Paper Book
A hilarious story of new-school hijinks, filled with friendship, family, and plenty of pranks--perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Meet Airi Sano. After spending her entire childhood moving from one military base to another, she's excited to be settling...
The truth about 5th grade
Parisi, Mark
Ebook
Charlotte "Charli" Wilson thought Alex Andropov would always be her best BFF in the whole wide world. From crushes to butterfly phobias to secret hidden blankies, there's never been a secret they couldn't share. Charli even showed Alex the supersecret hiding spot for her diary. But when school...
Frazzled : everyday disasters and impending doom
Vivat, Booki
Paper Book
An instant New York Times bestseller, Booki Vivat's Frazzled is the first installment of a funny middle grade graphic novel series about a girl who is always in a tizzy. "Hilarious." (NPR's All Things Considered) "Honest, sweet, and laugh-out-loud funny. Fans of Smile and Diary of a...

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