Dear Diary

by Lakisha Burkett

Louisiana in the 1940s was a tough time for many people of color! Slavery may have been over, but racism was still very much alive! Getting by as best you could with whatever you were given could be challenging! You’ll meet 11 years old Doris! She didn’t have much. But her imagination took her far! She was such a bright student! So much so that for her 12th birthday her mom got her a diary! Doris soon realized that her diary would be the only thing she had to document the horrific events that would soon start to take place! Tired of the abuse suffered at the hands of her father, Doris comes up with a plan to stop the abuse once and for all! But what happens if that plan backfires? Will Doris ever get the justice she deserves? This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster! As we look at the world through the eyes of an innocent child! Dear Diary…

73 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!!!! Dear Dairy is a short but heart-wrenching story. It put a lot of things in perspective for me. What if my grandmother or great-grandmother went through the same thing as Doris? Makes me think, yo. Wow!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Samyra Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Storytelling

I got this book during the BRAE event, and glad I did. This story was sad; I felt bad for Doris because of all she endured. The only person I blame is the one who did what they did, which made the ending satisfying. The cover is fitting.

[lexiskat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chile now this was a mfn read!! I had so much hope for Doris. I just knewwwwww that she would be able to get the job done and get back to her old self. But Liz definitely did what needed to be done. This book was good!!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an extremely heavy and traumatic read in 70 pages. PLEASE check for trigger warnings before starting it. I really hate that little Doris went through all of this. Justice was served, thankfully. Parents, don’t ever make your children feel like you’re too busy to listen to them 😭

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read. I couldn’t believe how naive the mother acted. Pissed me all the way off. Even after Doris started behaving strangely, after Gena tried to warn her, and even when the teacher showed up, she still refused to sit down and truly listen to her child. Like, seriously? That frustrated me so much. You’re never just that tired that you just brush off your kid like that. Overall, it is a story that definitely stirred up some emotions. Pay attention to your children, TF!!

[Pat Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who's Watching?

Sad but believable. A taboo that's probably as old as time. We need to communicate with our children, be watchful and protect them.

[Reading_Utopia! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking & Unforgettable

Dear Diary by Lakisha Burkett was a truly heartbreaking and unforgettable novella! I loved the author’s writing style and the realistic characters.

[adoseof.adri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a heart-wrenching novella with really sad and heavy content. At times it just felt a bit rushed to me but overall, good story and I’m looking forward to trying more books from this author. 3.25

[Sassha Reads❤️❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*****************Trigger Warning******************
Review References R á p é/Child molestation

Doris was a sweet innocent child with dreams at the beginning of the book and all that changed right before her 12th birthday when her Pa started paying her “special attention” Doris should have told Liz the first time when Earnest came in her room, got in her bed, fondled with her private parts, and ejaculated on her leg. Liz should have listened to Gena and paid Earnest more attention in the way he was looking at Doris especially knowing that he wasn’t Doris’s biological father because she had an affair with Willis. Honestly, I think that Earnest unálived Willis. Liz should’ve known that Earnest was no longer that the husband she married when he changed after finding out Doris wasn’t his daughter. Liz really should’ve sat Doris down and gotten to the bottom of things when Doris’s whole demeanor changed. I’m glad that Earnest got his in the end for his against Doris and Liz got peace after finding out everything that happened to Doris.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short novel, this was such a deep rooted read. The whole basis of this story is heartbreaking in a way that just makes you realize that there really are such terrible people in the world who do such terrible things to children. This story really captured the feeling of the era of time that it was written in and really did read like a diary, even with the separate diary entries throughout. I think Doris did all that she could with what she knew at her age and I was so happy that she ended up getting her justice in the end, even if it wasn't in the way she would have thought. I do wish that she tried reaching out to someone else other than her mom, but I understand that at that age, when terrible things are happening and you don't know how to talk about it without fear of being hurt more or not believed, she probably did not know she could have reached out to anybody else, like her teacher Ms. Jenkins. I do also wish her friend Linda did more to advocate for her and told someone on her behalf when she noticed her friend Doris was not going to. Overall, it may have all been avoidable, but it's what made the story more believable and realistic that it was not. Definitely a 5 star read.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG!!!

Wow, I gasped so many times reading this little novella. This was so heart breaking and a little disturbing. This is a very touching story about a young girl dealing with abuse from a parental. I don't remember seeing any trigger warms, so I would say prepare yourself. However, I did enjoy this story, but it was just so heart breaking.

[TRISH · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5⭐️ short read and very faced paced. Poor Doris. Definitely check your TWs before reading.

[Moody Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I went into this book not expecting to be so angry and sad for the main character. My heart hurts for her so much. This was so well written and fitting for the time period.

[Dria Onamission · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting short read, I like the authors writing style as she was to the point and not overly wordy while still being descriptive. I noted a few spelling errors but still a good read.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

so sad

I was so sad that baby didn’t get to tell her momma what was going on before it was too late. It’s a sad reality for many children. Parents have to do better at making their kids comfortable telling them uncomfortable things.

[melanie yang 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗠𝗮. 𝗜 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗠𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗼 𝗠𝗮. 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱.”



Wow, oh wow. I never thought a book with 71 pages would hit me THIS hard. It was devastatingly beautiful. It touches on betrayal, the importance of being an ACTIVE listener as a parent, being able to recognize signs and no matter what, putting your child first, you also get a glimpse of how it was for many many people back then and so much more.


I went into this thinking I would be following the daily life of a young girl told through her diary entries but instead I ended up on my mother’s living room floor a SOBBING mess. I would say so much more but I don’t want spoil anything but while it was a beautiful story, showing the lengths a mother will go to for their child, it’s also devastating and leaves a punch and that’s why I said devastatingly beautiful 🥲

10/10 read.

[Mary S · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dear Diary" by Lakisha Burkett is a gut-wrenching, heart-shattering novella that lingers in your mind long after the last page is turned! The author’s writing style is captivating, and the characters feel so real, it’s maddening!

But let me tell you, I couldn’t stand the way Doris' mother behaved! It infuriates me! Here's a mother who should be there for her child, yet she dismisses Doris completely! Even when those warning signs were flashing—Doris acting out, Gena trying to intervene, and even the teacher stepping in to raise the alarm—this mother just wouldn’t budge! She wouldn’t sit down and actually LISTEN to her daughter!

Parents: NEVER, I repeat, NEVER let your child feel like you’re too busy to hear them out! Always make time for them and LISTEN!

[Ashley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye Opening, Heart-aching Book

I started reading this book on Kindle Unlimited and then stopped due to getting another book. Once I tried to go back to finish it my Kindle Unlimited membership was removed so I had to struggle to find this book again.

My heart goes out to Doris. What she endured at the hands of someone she looked at as a father figure is so sad. I applaud her mother for doing what any mother in this predicament should do. This one definitely spoke volumes when it comes to making time for your kids, no matter how much you work or how tired you are because things happen in a blink of an eye.

[Dréya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. It was a short read but flowed. This book is based in 1940's in Louisiana. Doris is the main character and it's centered around her 12th birthday where she received a number of gifts from her parents with one of them being a diary. Shortly after her birthday her father begins to pay too much attention to her, unwanted attention, and she documents it all in her diary. She discusses this with her friend and comes up with a plan to kill her father. From there the story takes a lot of twists and turns and it was very interesting to read. Warning: this book does address various types of abuse. #GiveItARead

[Briitta (Momma_Shligga) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Diary by Lakisha Burkett is a raw and powerful novella that completely took my breath away. Told through the diary entries of 12-year-old Doris, a young Black girl growing up in 1940s Louisiana, this short book packs an emotional punch far beyond its pages.

Despite the painful subject matter, I found myself unable to put this down. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after the last page. Doris's quiet courage and vivid imagination made me both cry and root for her in every moment

[La’Cara Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG this was hard to read but was worth the 71 pages no lie. *check the trigger warnings* poor Doris was a bright kid who did her schooling, chores and loved her ma more than anything. She just wanted to be a normal kid but horrific events happen that change the path of her life. My heart broke a few times while reading this. I gave it a 4.5🌟 because I wish there was more towards the ending to complete the story.

[Chey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this was a short novel, my heart broke for Doris. I wish her mother had made more time for her to listen truly, to see the pain she was carrying, she needed her the most. The story was heartbreaking because Doris’s silence wasn’t by choice; it was the result of being ignored by the one person who should have protected her. It’s a painful reminder of how deep a mother’s absence can cut, even when she’s physically present.

[ThePurpleElephant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really good story. Super sad and very predictable but, good nonetheless. The author has the potential to be a really great writer. There were many misuse of words and misspellings *Picture of lemonade* the sentence called for the use of pitcher.

I’m glad the momma did what needed to be done in the end but she definitely had a chance to do right by her daughter in the beginning. The sister warned her and then all the signs followed.

[Karen Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decisions guided by life hardships…

The personal anguish, systemic racial cruelty, familiar abuse and effect of poverty were well told by the author. Each person had to endure unrelenting hardship; they made unwise, as well as, illegal decisions to ease their hurt. Decisions made when they weee pushed to a breaking point did not lead to happiness for either person.

[Arnell Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG!

So this was a nice and emotional short read. This author gets me emotional everytime. I felt sooo bad for Doris poor baby. No one protected her like they should have ugh. The father got off too easy for me. TOO EASY!

[Chantill Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warning as due to rape and murder

The book is a real reality of life as a black girl back in the 40's where men, much like today, prey on us females. The story was real and sad.

[Jory Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Diary Review

That’ was a quick read for sure . Very sad story I don’t know why I thought Doris was going to be able to get away with it . But happy that her mom was able to get revenge for her daughter . Let the healing begin . Ase

[Ronisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emoti

This story brought so many emotions out of me . we have to yell out children. no matter what a person that hurt you says they will do to you or your parents. You say something. So many kids are hurt and never tell.

[Tisa Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I just finished this book that had me bawling my eyes out and calling up my 24-year-old kid! It's gotta be one of the best things I've ever read. Major props to the author, Lakisha. Burkett!!

[D.K. Ricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadness for someone so young!

Never expected much a sad story! We never know what a person goes through or how they handle the situation. Our children might not tell us verbal but they let us know! see and know!