A diary or journal is a great place for a child to express themselves and explore their feelings, and because of this, some kids find fictional books that follow a diary format more engaging than regular chapter books. Historical fiction like the Dear America or Royal Diaries series help kids put history lessons into perspective by placing the reader directly in the main character’s shoes. Other fictional diaries, like Jedi Academy, are just plain fun. Start out with Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries, if you haven’t already read those, then try out these other diary-style books:
Amelia’s Notebook by Marissa Moss
Dear Dumb Diary by Jim Benton
Lotus Lane series by Kyla May
Project Superhero by E. Paul Zehr
My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School by Hiawyn Oram
The Mother Goose Diaries (part of The Land of Stories) by Chris Colfer
Strider by Beverly Cleary
Good Enough by Jen Petro-Roy
House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Taylor Before and After by Jennie Englund
– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant