That's What Friends Aren't For

Dear Dumb Diary #9

by Jim Benton

Bestselling author Jamie Kelly is back with an all-new, all-funny diary! But she has no idea that anybody is reading it. So please, please, please don't tell her. Dear Dumb Diary,So now I'm friends with Angeline. This is automatic friendship, and I have to just accept it and make the best of things. See, if I objected, then Aunt Carol might divorce Angeline's uncle, sending both of them tumbling into a deep pit of depression for the rest of their lives, and Angeline could wind up feeling so guilty that she would have to go be locked up in an old dirty insane asylum for years and years, and Stinker's puppies could grow up not knowing both their parents --- and I couldn't live with myself for doing something like that to a puppy.

Genres: Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Diary, Comedy

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Benton began his career in a custom design t-shirt shop where he started designing his own characters. At the same time, Jim did illustrations and artwork for magazines and newspapers. People magazine named him "the most visible cartoonist in America" .

Benton also created greeting cards and worked in the magazine and publishing industry. In 1998, his SpyDogs characters became an animated series, The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs, that aired on Fox Kids. Licensing his own creations brought them widespread attention on products, such as It's Happy Bunny, The Misters, Just Jimmy and more.

Benton currently lives in Michigan, where he operates out of his own studio.

Reviews

[Mikky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at:


What a throw back this book turned out to be! I can see where my particular flavor of humor started off. This is as sarcastic and funny as any middle grade book can be without going too far. This series was a big part of my childhood and it was awesome to read it as an adult. I can see where my twisted self first started appearing.

Jamie Kelly is all kinds of weird and her random theories make her all that much more entertaining to read about. She's in grade school and during that period of her life, she's still discovering who she is and what friends are really there for. This isn't a heartfelt story nor does it strive to be anything like that. It's a humor filled oddity that has found its place in my shriveled up heart.

I would recommend this series to the end of the world and back. That's probably nostalgia talking, but it's an entertaining and quick read! The drawings were adorable and on point with the story.

My Favorite Quotes:

"Of course I can't really say that, I can only write it. But I'm writing it totally sarcastically and rather meanly."

"I treasure how the same people and things make us both want to barf."

"I do call her my friend, the same way I call them my socks or my infection. Nobody would ever suggest that the infection belongs to itself."

[Michelle Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really amazing too~~~~ i had read all of the series too!

[Autumn Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good and very funny.

[Syd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how they all were going to enter in the concert and how Angeline started replacing Jamie. It was just a really good book

[Jordan Drilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book.

[Kirjapallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Näissä on vähän liian rajua huumoria tällaiselle täti-ihmiselle, mutta arvot olivat suunnilleen kohdillaan. :D Ja päiväkirjoja todella tarvitaan näille nykyajan muksuille!!

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the fact that Aunt Carol and Uncle Dean are married doesn't make Jamie and Angeline automatically cousins, but the fact their dogs breeded offsprings do make them in-laws! Jamie is not comfortable with the idea of Angeline being in her friend group, after all, a girl that perfect would be a disaster. So what Jamie plans next is to find a fourth friend to add to the group...so that Angeline can keep away from Isabella!

The ninth entry in this series is where I start fully fresh, as the previous eight books were ones I had read before. The main plot is along the lines of friendship, where Jamie starts to realize how quick Isabella and Angeline are bonding, making her jealous of being left out. So when opportunity of a talent show appears, it seems like a swell idea for the girls to be together. But Jamie wants a +1 to the group, and hilarity ensues when she holds auditions for the ideal candidate. The plot is much stronger here and much more relatable with the idea of navigating a friend group. Sweet, silly and if not outrageous still, you'll be pulled in to more of Jamie's antics to finding the perfect friend.

[max theodore]

grossnasty and tucker are two of the best running bits in this series. jamie gay moment tracker: saying angeline's hair makes a floaty harp sound when she brushes it; the entire description of angeline at the talent show; the fact that jamie used to only ever draw naked barbies. also, isabella loathing hudson so much she refuses to tell him what time of day it is.

[Blueberrypie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may be funny at times and is a quick read but it is a bit unrealistic I have to admit I enjoyed it and when I was Jamie's age I thought like that too which kinda surprised because in some ways it is realistic the characters think and behave just like a real person their age would and there are some life lessons hidden in the book if you think about it this book shows you what a friend really is and you can be friends with someone you don't like some of the situations the characters get into are unrealistic. The Hudson situation is just annoying and confusing. If you are looking for a similar book or like this book you should try dork diaries and diary of a wimpy kid they are good books and are similar to dear dumb diary. This book is great if your looking for a funny and entertaining quick read I like the book but if I would prefer something like Harry potter or lord of the rings if I were to spend a long time reading and was looking for more of a kinda serious read. The dear dumb diary series is great and funny but i wouldn't give it 5 stars maybe around 3 or 4 stars depending on the book. LEAVE A COMMENT and tell me what you found funny and what annoyed about the book.

[Alita G]

I'm currently reading dear dumb diary by Jamie Kelly.Im starting to read this book and I am loving it!! Jamie is a really funny character she explains very good the characters. For example stinker her dog, stinker kind off relates to my dog Mia, Stinker and my are Obsessed with their toy But the only difference is that stinkers toy is really messy and discusting. Every little Character has a different attitude or how they look.Jamie describes them like wierd but handsome, she looks intelligent but she is not shh...I recommend this book for every body who likes comedy and humor.So read this book you will actually burst out Laughing.

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

i dont remember what this book about but i remember it was really good would read again

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the rockin Triple-D adventure all the fans want to read! It's time for...number nine...number nine...number nine....Jamie is a real nowhere girl these days. Angeline is now, sad to say, her friend for life, and her beloved frenemy Stinker, the most da bomb dog of all time, has pups that are just as sweet and cute as tha Doggfather himself--which makes it worse for Jamie. (She still is under the mistaken impression that the Stinky One is ugly as sin.) She wants to make up for loss of heartbeats (and possibly brain cells) by partaking in a talent show where she plans to rock out by lipsynching to her less than original compositions, kinda like a Milli Vanilli thing. Plus: she's also scouting en route for a new BFF to offset and outfox the ultimate Foxy Lady Angeline, whose amazing 1000-watt smile can light up ten city blocks. But time is so NOT on her side. AND "WHY CAN'T SHE BE FRIENDS" with Angeline when A. is trying sooo hard? And will Stinker's "Doggystyle" have Jamie rollin in Gin and Juice--laid back with her mind on her money and...well, you get the picture, I think. Prepare to rock out! Jamie remains once, twice, three times the lady!

[Karen Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angeline and Jamie become friends when her aunt marries Angeline's Uncle. Jamie's dog somehow gets Angeline's dog pregnant. Now that she and Angeline are kind of related. Both are expected to act like best friends since they already know each other. Even Isabella, her bff, says that having Angeline as a friend isn't really all that bad either. This book gives more information about the story or people in it. I really like how they don't discuss about little things but instead discusses about the bigger picture.

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes it was kind of dumb but any book with this quote: "Tuesdays are how I imagine being an adult will feel everyday. Except when I get to be as old as my parents. Then I think it will always feel like Monday morning. In February. And it's snowing polar bears. And they have rabies." automatically earns 3 stars just on principal. Funny stuff older grade school girls will like, particularly those who like Wimpy Kid.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The next chapter in Jamie's saga adds to the lore of Stink the beagle and his offspring along with the grossness and affection slobbered on dog toys. So true no matter what the age or breed of dog.

We are treated to puppy love of another kind as classmates become more than that: friends, rivals and possibly love interests. This is a sweet lesson on how we are often thrown together with people and why it's important and good to try and make the best of it.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun book! I could actually hear my granddaughter speaking as I read this book. The thoughts and language are dead on. I was actually laughing out loud as I read Jamie's diary. Three-way friendships are always a problem at this age and I loved how Jamie interviews for a fourth friend/band member. This is a great series for the tweens in your life. I know one young reader who will be getting some copies this Christmas.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so funny, yet they have lessons hidden inside them. I really enjoy any story told by an imperfect narrator, but these -- told by a girl nearly my daughter's age -- are especially good because I feel like they give me some insight into the thought patterns at that age.

My daughter loves these books, too, and reads them straight through in one day.

[Amelia Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I would recommend this book to middle school or 5th grade girls. I liked how the author has a sense of humor when he writes his books. Also I like how he shows the characters emotions.

[Greg Garman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is awesome

This book is awesome and funny . this book is so good that it is hard to example but the author took do much time an all those books that every on who reads them should like them

[Morgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

not as good as the others

[Louann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always entertaining.

[Diana S.]

friends are not just to do the hole work for them

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the greatest book of the series as far as hilarity, but it had a good round ending, and that's not something very usual.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for a Dork Diaries. I alway thought that there could be a little more description in all his books. There just never is.

[Ximena Castillo]

this book is really funny!
i love how the author describes the characters in the storyy:) its a really jazzy storyy!!!
Its amazing!!

[RPBYS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teen Review

A girl becomes friends with her enemy! She tries to be nice but she can't because the girl is so mean and gets all of the attention. This was a fun read and not predictable.

[River]

the book is about a girl named jamie and freinds go on a trip to a talent show

[Aleidis Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think it can use more pics

[Naila Fariha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's just that ALL the books are examples of really good friends ;)

[Louissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!