libraryobserver

[libraryobserver]

A librarian's frustrations with Dork Diaries — and some alternatives

My predecessor had ordered four new volumes of Dork Diaries, the colossal series by Rachel Renée Russell, for our students. It seems to be a prime target for theft and other infractions and so needs frequent replenishment. I put these out and they were gone in less than two minutes. Ever since then, the most frequent request is 'more Dork Diaries!'

The books are odious. Much has been said of the slurs in the first novel, which not only reflects the common and casually ableist language of the late 2000's, but arguable takes it a step further with accompanying derogatory depictions of those with poor mental health and a variety of educational needs. It backs up the language with the philosophy.

Even if these early books were removed from circulation, the spirit of hate and bigotry remains. The books take joy in hating, both in their depiction of 'hateful' characters and the hateful thoughts and acts that others take towards them in spite. Likewise, the problems with materialism and unhealthy perspectives on body image remain throughout the series. And readers do take this into themselves. Some of their creative writing, supposed to be inspired by their time in the library, has taken on the tone and the perspective of the books in an alarming way.

I have removed these books from circulation for now, though the long term plan for them is yet to be decided (the first will almost certainly not be returned). I don't revel in books sitting unread in a box, but there is no great literary inspiration in them. They do not encourage further reading, as their style, with LOTS of CAPS, rewards skim reading with light attention. How, then, can a young reader move on from these books? This is my central problem. What can I do now?

There are a number of alternatives I've looked into, and there are many good books about the experience of school at this age (The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly I would recommend). The Read for Empathy project can help identify those books that others have recognised as encouraging empathy and kindness, but the style remains the largest problem. The closest books to DD in terms of reader experience would be Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which needs no form of promotion in the library, or, in the UK, the books of David Walliams. These have their own problems, especially the latter, and I don't feel comfortable recommending them.

A recent find of mine, and the inspiration for writing this all down, is Girls Can Vlog by Emma Moss. It seems to me to have a much less cynical and hateful outlook than DD, despite having a similar premise and dealing with similar school issues, and it adapts the 'diary' style into something much more exciting. The form of the book switches regularly between emails, texts, vlog transcripts, and full narrative prose, and it is still highly decorated. It's creative, and I think it could be an engaging bridge between DD and Wimpy Kid and more traditional novels with full paragraphs and structure. I'm worried that the technology referenced might have aged poorly since 2016, with the popularity of vlogs having dropped off so sharply, but this is going to be my go-to recommendation going forwards when I am asked for DD (if all the usual questions about interests and reading habits don't produce a lead elsewhere).

Has anyone else struggled similarly with bridging the gap after Dork Diaries? Or do you remember reading it yourself? Do you have books like it to recommend? I'd be interested in hearing all thoughts and responses!

[libraryobserver]

Translating Spanish Poetry

I've realised that translating poetry is possibly the most fun way I can recover my (not that good in the first place) Spanish vocab. It's helped make Borges and Octavio Paz feel even closer to me whilst I work towards fluent reading of prose.

I hadn't used Duolingo in ages but now, after the AI controversy, it feels good to have found something that works for me!

Does anyone have any Spanish language poetry recommendations?