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This is NOT the Diary of Izzy Dobson: The first book in a hilarious new illustrated series from the bestselling author
Brought to you by Puffin.
IZZY DOBSON HAS A FEW
1) School is the WORST.
2) Making friends is HARD.
3) Her VERY TOP SECRET EMBARRASSING DIARY has gone MISSING!
Can Izzy retrace her steps before the diary falls into the wrong hands? Or has its fate already been sealed by a SINISTER DIARY THIEF?
Izzy records her investigation in this Very Normal Notebook. (Definitely NOT another diary!) Expect cat doodles, brilliant(ish) brainwaves and hilarious observations on life as Izzy searches not just for her diary, but also her place in this Very Confusing World.
A laugh-out-loud, big-hearted new fiction series by acclaimed author-illustrator Abigail Balfe.
© Abigail Balfe 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
IZZY DOBSON HAS A FEW
1) School is the WORST.
2) Making friends is HARD.
3) Her VERY TOP SECRET EMBARRASSING DIARY has gone MISSING!
Can Izzy retrace her steps before the diary falls into the wrong hands? Or has its fate already been sealed by a SINISTER DIARY THIEF?
Izzy records her investigation in this Very Normal Notebook. (Definitely NOT another diary!) Expect cat doodles, brilliant(ish) brainwaves and hilarious observations on life as Izzy searches not just for her diary, but also her place in this Very Confusing World.
A laugh-out-loud, big-hearted new fiction series by acclaimed author-illustrator Abigail Balfe.
© Abigail Balfe 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Audible Audio
First published April 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 17, 2026
I loved this book! It was such an enjoyable read, and I didn’t want it to end!
Izzy Dobson seems like everything’s going wrong: school is awful, making friends is a lot harder than it should be, and her VERY TOP SECRET EMBARRASSING DIARY has gone missing! I’ll let you guess what one’s the most important. As Izzy records herself backtracking herself in this very normal, boring old notebook (definitely not a diary) she starts to discover herself and some unlikely allies along the way, accompanied by some cat doodles, amazing yet random brainwaves and (many) Mango Chutney sandwiches. Can Izzy find her diary before it falls into the hands of an ultimate diary thief??
I loved this book! It was a fun, short read, and it was really enjoyable. I could see my self a lot of times in Izzy, and this book was packed full of emotion. Some bits made me laugh out loud, and other parts I had to put the book down otherwise I might of cried right there and then in my Spanish class. This book has taken me on a rollercoaster of discovery, and one that I could definitely relate to. I felt so sorry for Izzy at some points, as I have shared those moments with her, and can feel how she must feel. It was incredibly powerful, and another amazing book by Abigail. I can’t wait to read what she writes next!
Izzy Dobson seems like everything’s going wrong: school is awful, making friends is a lot harder than it should be, and her VERY TOP SECRET EMBARRASSING DIARY has gone missing! I’ll let you guess what one’s the most important. As Izzy records herself backtracking herself in this very normal, boring old notebook (definitely not a diary) she starts to discover herself and some unlikely allies along the way, accompanied by some cat doodles, amazing yet random brainwaves and (many) Mango Chutney sandwiches. Can Izzy find her diary before it falls into the hands of an ultimate diary thief??
I loved this book! It was a fun, short read, and it was really enjoyable. I could see my self a lot of times in Izzy, and this book was packed full of emotion. Some bits made me laugh out loud, and other parts I had to put the book down otherwise I might of cried right there and then in my Spanish class. This book has taken me on a rollercoaster of discovery, and one that I could definitely relate to. I felt so sorry for Izzy at some points, as I have shared those moments with her, and can feel how she must feel. It was incredibly powerful, and another amazing book by Abigail. I can’t wait to read what she writes next!
July 26, 2026
12-year-old Izzy Dobson has lost her diary, so she's forced to resort to another notebook (which is definitely not a diary) to document her investigation into the missing diary. In the process, we learn about Izzy's friends, her English creative writing project, Izzy's Mum's relentless but romantic quest to attract the postman's attention, and her Nan who has dementia and sometimes forgets who Izzy is.
The inside of Izzy's diary is an exuberant, slightly chaotic expression but in recording her thoughts, Izzy manages to work through her worries and come up with creative solutions to her problems. This is a heartwarming and relatable story as well as an enlightening glimpse into a neurodivergent mind - perfect for fans of The Wimpy Kid and Lottie Brooks. Loved it!
The inside of Izzy's diary is an exuberant, slightly chaotic expression but in recording her thoughts, Izzy manages to work through her worries and come up with creative solutions to her problems. This is a heartwarming and relatable story as well as an enlightening glimpse into a neurodivergent mind - perfect for fans of The Wimpy Kid and Lottie Brooks. Loved it!
July 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this! I’m a big fan of diary style books and this was just perfection. Loved the illustrations and I loved the layout. I think younger me would have loved to be friends with Izzy! Yay for more books with neurodivergent characters - so many kids will see themselves in Izzy and I am so grateful she is out there! I reckon Y6s and up will love this!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews