Dork Diaries 1 -

Meanwhile, Nikki discovers that the school is holding an art competition to design the cover of the upcoming yearbook. The prize? A scholarship to the school — something Nikki desperately needs, since her dad is struggling to pay tuition. Nikki is a phenomenal artist, so she enters immediately. But so does MacKenzie, who has zero talent but plenty of confidence and her mom’s connections.

To make things worse, Nikki develops a huge crush on Brandon Roberts, a sweet, kind, eco-friendly photographer for the school newspaper. Brandon is nice to everyone — including Nikki — which she finds both thrilling and confusing. He even lends her an umbrella when she gets caught in the rain. But Nikki assumes he’d never like a dork like her. dork diaries 1

Nikki’s only consolation is her diary — a blank book she uses to doodle, vent, and document every mortifying moment. She writes in it obsessively, giving it a snarky, funny, and deeply honest voice. Meanwhile, Nikki discovers that the school is holding

With the help of her two loyal friends from her old school — Chloe and Zoey — Nikki plans a last-minute party at the public library. It’s not glamorous, but it’s fun, creative, and very Nikki . However, MacKenzie finds out it’s at the library and shows up just to mock her. But Nikki stands up for herself, and even Brandon shows up, telling her she’s “really cool.” Nikki is a phenomenal artist, so she enters immediately

In a moment of desperation, Nikki lies and tells MacKenzie that she’s going to a super-exclusive Halloween party at a fancy hotel. MacKenzie is furious with jealousy — because she wasn’t invited. But of course, Nikki made the whole thing up. Now she has to somehow throw a real party to save face.

Nikki’s life gets more complicated when her mom gets a job as the school’s new lunch lady — a job Nikki begged her not to take because of the social embarrassment. Now, Nikki has to watch her mom serve sloppy joes while MacKenzie and her friends whisper and point.