Dork Diaries Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
4.3 out of 5, (75 ratings on Open Library)
Dork Diaries has 45 chapters · 282 pages
Book 1 of the Dork Diaries series
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Inside the journal: 45 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Written for this book Questions about this story, good after any chapter.
In this chapter, what is the most important thing Nikki Maxwell wants or worries about, and how can you tell?See all 45 questions ↓
About the book
Nikki Maxwell is starting eighth grade at a new school—and her very first diary is packed with hilarious stories and art in this SUPER SQUEE updated edition of the first book in the 1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series!
Buy the book on Amazon ↗ (affiliate link)
Dork Diaries questions by chapter
We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 45 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 1
In this chapter, what is the most important thing Nikki Maxwell wants or worries about, and how can you tell?
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Chapter 2
So far, how does Nikki’s diary voice help you understand her feelings better than if someone else told the story?
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Chapter 3
What new information about Nikki’s school life at Westchester Country Day did you learn in this chapter?
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Chapter 4
How does Nikki react when she feels embarrassed or out of place, and what does that show about her?
Example answer: Nikki often reacts by worrying a lot and writing dramatic thoughts in her diary. I think this shows that she is sensitive and really wants people to accept her. At the same time, she keeps going even when she feels awkward. That makes her seem nervous but also brave.
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Chapter 5
What role does friendship play in this chapter, especially with Chloe, Zoey, or other classmates?
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Chapter 6
How is MacKenzie Hollister shown so far, and what clues help you understand Nikki’s opinion of her?
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Chapter 7
Choose one word or phrase from this chapter that stands out to you. What does it mean, and why did the author use it?
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Chapter 8
What problem or conflict seems most important right now, and what might make it harder for Nikki to solve?
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Chapter 9
How do Nikki’s drawings, lists, or diary-style details add humor or personality to this chapter?
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Chapter 10
What is one choice Nikki makes in this chapter, and do you think it was a good choice? Explain.
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Chapter 11
So far, what has Nikki learned about trying to fit in at a new or difficult school?
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Chapter 12
How does Brandon Roberts affect Nikki’s thoughts or actions in this chapter?
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Chapter 13
What does this chapter show about the difference between how Nikki sees herself and how others might see her?
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Chapter 14
If you could give Nikki advice at the end of this chapter, what would you tell her and why?
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Chapter 15
What moment in this chapter felt funniest, most surprising, or most dramatic to you? What made it stand out?
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Chapter 16
How does Nikki’s family, including Brianna, add to the challenges or humor in her life so far?
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Chapter 17
What is one example of peer pressure or wanting to be popular in this chapter?
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Chapter 18
How does the author make everyday school problems feel important to Nikki?
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Chapter 19
What prediction can you make about Nikki’s next problem or goal based on this chapter?
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Chapter 20
Which character showed kindness, courage, or honesty in this chapter? Use details to support your answer.
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Chapter 21
What setting in this chapter, such as school, home, or another place, affects what happens? How?
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Chapter 22
How do Nikki’s feelings change from the beginning to the end of this chapter?
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Chapter 23
What does this chapter suggest about being yourself instead of pretending to be someone else?
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Chapter 24
Pick a conversation or moment between characters. What does it reveal about their relationship?
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Chapter 25
What is something Nikki misunderstands, exaggerates, or worries too much about in this chapter?
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Chapter 26
How does Rachel Renée Russell use humor to make a serious feeling, like embarrassment or loneliness, easier to read about?
Example answer: The author uses Nikki’s funny diary voice to make hard feelings less upsetting. When Nikki is embarrassed, she describes it in a silly or over-the-top way, so I can laugh but still understand her problem. The humor helps me see that embarrassing moments happen to everyone. It also makes Nikki feel like a real kid.
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Chapter 27
What is one question you still have after this chapter, and why are you curious about it?
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Chapter 28
How does Nikki handle a mistake, awkward moment, or problem in this chapter?
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Chapter 29
What detail from this chapter would you include in a summary, and what detail would you leave out? Why?
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Chapter 30
Compare Nikki with MacKenzie, Chloe, Zoey, Brandon, or Brianna in this chapter. How are they alike or different?
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Chapter 31
What does Nikki value most in this chapter: friendship, popularity, honesty, creativity, or something else? Explain.
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Chapter 32
How does the diary format make the chapter feel private, personal, or funny?
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Chapter 33
What does this chapter show about the way rumors, secrets, or misunderstandings can affect people at school?
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Chapter 34
Which character would you want to sit with at lunch after reading this chapter, and what would you talk about?
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Chapter 35
What is one sentence, joke, or description that helped you picture the scene clearly?
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Chapter 36
How does Nikki use creativity, such as writing, drawing, fashion, music, or ideas, in this part of the story?
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Chapter 37
What is one obstacle Nikki faces because she feels different from other students?
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Chapter 38
How does this chapter connect to a time when you or someone you know felt nervous about fitting in?
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Chapter 39
What lesson could a reader take from Nikki’s experience in this chapter?
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Chapter 40
If this chapter had a title written by you, what would it be, and why?
Example answer: I would title this chapter “Trying to Fit In” because Nikki is thinking a lot about how other students see her. She wants things to go well, but school keeps feeling complicated. This title fits because the chapter shows both her worries and her hope that things can get better.
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Chapter 41
What do Nikki’s reactions tell you about her strengths and weaknesses?
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Chapter 42
How does the chapter build suspense or make you want to keep reading?
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Chapter 43
What is one thing a character says or does that changes the mood of the chapter?
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Chapter 44
How fair or unfair do you think the situation in this chapter is for Nikki? Give reasons.
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Chapter 45
Looking back on the chapter you just read, how does it add to the bigger story of Nikki trying to survive middle school?
Next in Dork Diaries
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How to use this Dork Diaries reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 45 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Dork Diaries. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Questions about this story, good after any chapter. We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.