Dork Diaries Giveaway!!!

I've got a giveaway today to go along with my review and author interview (of sorts)! So, Welcome to Rachel Renee Russell as part of her
Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life blog tour!

Russell, Rachel Renee.
Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life.
June 2009.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Comparable to Diary of a Whimpy Kid series or even Max Quigley: Technically Not a Bully, Dork Diaries: Tales of a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life is a new hit for pre-teen girls! It's only been in stores, available for purchase since June 2, but already Dork Diaries has landed on the New York Times Best Seller list twice!

New diary so Nikki can spill about all of it...And spill she does! The diary follows Nikki on this new adventure in her life over the course of about two months.

• She's throw into a new private school (thanks to her dad's contract as an exterminator which allowed her free tuition), which she's not too thrilled with.
• She's put up against a new mean girl and winds up friends with the not-so-cool kids (who eventually turn out as her new best friends, so they must be pretty cool)!
• And her new crush happens to be the crush of about every girl in her class...
  

The book is almost (but not quite) too perfect for pre-teen girls - allowing them to see that there are other girls out there experiencing the same emotions as themselves. I've got a 12 year old step-cousin and this book is definitely going to be lent to her in the next month to see if she enjoyed it as much as I did!

Blog Tour Interview

And now, to help promote her new hit book, Rachel Renee Russell is stopping here, at Katie's Literature Lounge as part of her blog tour and I've landed a great interview with her, so enjoy reading it!

As an attorney, describe the day you knew you wanted to write a children's book?
Actually, I wrote and illustrated my first picture book for my younger brothers when I was about 14. I started writing again as a hobby about 3 years ago. My family and friends thought my work was good and encouraged me to pursue publication. Even though I enjoy helping people as a consumer bankruptcy attorney, nothing can beat lounging around in my pajamas, sipping lemon tea, listening to my favorite music while visiting the wacky world of Dork Diaries.

How did the idea of Dork Diaries and your Nikki character transpire?
Dork Diaries is actually based on some of the real life experiences of my youngest daughter, whose real name is also Nikki. She gave me permission to name my Dork Diaries character after her. The early draft of the book was a fantasy and contained a fairy godmother. But, the main character's voice was so compelling my that my literary agent, Dan Lazer, and I decided the book would be stronger with Nikki finding a solution to her problems on her own. I was also very encouraged about the potential of the idea and manuscript when the first 20 pages of an early draft placed in a YA writing competition with very favorable reviews from the judges.

What is one event you experienced in 8th grade that has had a lasting impact on your life?
In 7th grade, I was totally obsessed with trying to get accepted by the CCP's (cool, cute and popular) kids at my school and they all thought I was a dork. It was probably my most miserable year in school. However, by the start of 8th grade, I was sick and tired of trying to fit in where I was not wanted. 8th grade was the year I learned to actually like myself and accept the fact that I was not a CCP and would probably NEVER be one. I still struggle with this, even as an adult. If people and things make me feel sad and inadequate, like in 7th grade, it's unacceptable. I try to keep my upbeat and optimistic 8th grade mind set.

Nikki has just walked across the stage from her High School graduation. How has her life changed since her time in 8th grade?
Nikki has learned to love herself and not base her self worth on the opinions and expectations of others. She is attending a major university on a full 4-year scholarship. Chloe and Zoey surprised her with tickets to the Tyra Banks show for Senior Skip Day. And, she went to prom with Brandon :-).

Nikki's Purse Giveaway!!!

And now... what you've been waiting for! Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life is an absolute must have for pre-teen girls... and lucky for you, Rachel Renee Russell and her publisher at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing are kind enough to give not only a copy of Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life away, but the entire "Nikki's Purse" set-up. Would your daughter not love to receive this as a special Welcome-to-Summer gift? Heck, this might even pursued her to jump start that summer reading program!

This is an picture of what you'll be receiving (the actual purse and contents may vary, but this is what I got in mine! Twizzlers, AXE deoderant spray, Skittles Lipsmacker, TicTacs, BonBons nail polish, "Everyone's Wild About Me" pin, a bandana, a glitzy pen, Love's Baby Soft, Orbit gum, and a copy of Dork Diaries: Tales of a NOT-SO-Fabulous Life all packed inside the little purse!


Rules To enter the Giveaway:

1. Be a resident of the United States.
2. Leave a comment on this post, being sure to include an e-mail address where you can be contacted.
3. On your comment, describe an event in your life (between the ages of 9-13) that made your life seem less than fabulous!
   

To enter, you must follow those three steps by 11:59PM, EST on Thursday, July 2. Winner will be drawn from random.org and will be posted on Friday, July 3.

If you're interested in finding out more information about any of the books reviewed or if you'd like to purchase the books, click the cover image for a link to Amazon.com.