Do you think popularity creates a power imbalance? Why or why not? If so, how does popularity or the lack of it affect those in the imbalance? If not, why, and what might account for the hierarchy of popularity instead? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Does Nikki sound like a genuine 14-year-old girl to you? Why or why not? What elements of your experience with age 14 (either from living it or from your expectations of what it will be like) make her sound realistic? Would you change anything about Nikki’s tone and style? Why or why not, and if so, what?

Do the characters of Dork Diaries feel like fully fleshed-out people with unique goals, personalities, and characteristics? Why or why not? If so, choose three characters and explain what makes them feel real to you. If not, do you think this was intentional on Russel’s part? How did your interpretation of the characters influence your reading experience?