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Quick answer: If your daughter loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid, try Dork Diaries, Dear Dumb Diary, Amelia's Notebook, The Popularity Papers, Smile and Judy Moody. Each mixes humor, school drama and drawings in a format that is easy to love.
Jeff Kinney's series made reading fun for millions of kids, and many girls look for the same mix of doodles, jokes and middle school chaos from a girl's point of view. The books below include diary-style novels, graphic memoirs and funny series for younger readers. Pick by reading level, and let her keep going once she finds a favorite series.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dork Diaries | Rachel Renée Russell | 8-12 | the top pick for fans |
| Dear Dumb Diary | Jim Benton | 8-12 | kids who like sarcasm |
| Amelia's Notebook | Marissa Moss | 7-10 | younger readers |
| The Popularity Papers | Amy Ignatow | 9-13 | friendship stories |
| Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day | Meg Cabot | 8-12 | readers who like rules and lists |
| Judy Moody | Megan McDonald | 6-9 | early readers |
| Clementine | Sara Pennypacker | 6-9 | younger fans of humor |
| Smile | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | graphic novel fans |
| Sisters | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | readers who have siblings |
| Real Friends | Shannon Hale | 8-12 | readers worried about friend groups |
| Awkward | Svetlana Chmakova | 9-13 | manga and graphic novel fans |
| Click | Kayla Miller | 8-12 | kids who feel left out |
| Harriet the Spy | Louise Fitzhugh | 8-12 | readers ready for a classic |
| Ivy + Bean | Annie Barrows | 6-8 | first chapter books |
| The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea | Raina Telgemeier | 8-12 | fans of classic series |
1. Dork Diaries by Rachel Renée Russell
Nikki Maxwell, a new student at a fancy school, records her awkward moments, crushes and frenemies in a doodle-filled diary. The closest match.
Best for: the top pick for fans.
2. Dear Dumb Diary by Jim Benton
Jamie Kelly writes a hilarious, sarcastic diary about school, friends and enemies. Short and very funny.
Best for: kids who like sarcasm.
3. Amelia's Notebook by Marissa Moss
Amelia writes and draws in her notebook about moving to a new town and making friends. A gentle, creative start.
Best for: younger readers.
4. The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow
Two best friends study the popular girls to figure out how to become cool. Written and drawn in two different handwriting styles.
Best for: friendship stories.
5. Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot
Allie moves to a new house and writes down her rules for surviving school and friendship. Light and funny.
Best for: readers who like rules and lists.
6. Judy Moody by Megan McDonald
Judy Moody is in a mood and sets off on a series of projects at school. Great for early chapter-book readers.
Best for: early readers.
7. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
Clementine, a creative third grader, gets in trouble for her ideas and has to make things right. Warm, funny and full of heart.
Best for: younger fans of humor.
8. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Raina knocks out her front teeth and goes through years of dental trouble and middle school. A graphic memoir that is honest and funny.
Best for: graphic novel fans.
9. Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
Raina's family takes a road trip, and she and her sister try to get along. A sequel to Smile about sibling life.
Best for: readers who have siblings.
10. Real Friends by Shannon Hale
Shannon, a girl who feels left out, tries to hold on to her best friend in a group of popular girls. Honest and gentle.
Best for: readers worried about friend groups.
11. Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
Penny tries to hide after an embarrassing moment and ends up on the Art Club. A sweet school story in manga style.
Best for: manga and graphic novel fans.
12. Click by Kayla Miller
Olive tries to find a group to join at school, but everyone seems to belong somewhere already. Gentle and encouraging.
Best for: kids who feel left out.
13. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet records everything she sees in her notebook until her classmates find it. A classic with a sharp heroine.
Best for: readers ready for a classic.
14. Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows
Two very different neighbors become friends and get into trouble together. The best pick for early chapter readers.
Best for: first chapter books.
15. The Baby-Sitters Club: Kristy's Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier
This graphic novel adaptation brings back the classic friends who start a baby-sitting business. Easy to read and fun.
Best for: fans of classic series.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Diary of a Wimpy Kid: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
Start by age. For ages 6 to 8, pick Ivy + Bean, Judy Moody or Clementine. For ages 8 to 12, begin with Dork Diaries, Dear Dumb Diary or Smile. If your daughter prefers drawings, choose graphic novels like Smile, Awkward or Click. If she likes real-life friend issues, try Real Friends or The Popularity Papers. Let her choose, because kids read more when they like the book.
Related: Diary of A Wimpy Kid Printable Book List · 15 Books Like A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder You’ll Love: Teen Mysteries and Twisty Thrillers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dork Diaries like Diary of a Wimpy Kid?
Yes. Both use diary-style writing and doodles, but Dork Diaries follows a girl and focuses more on friendships and crushes.
What age is Dork Diaries for?
Most publishers list it for ages 8 to 12.
Are there graphic novels like Wimpy Kid?
Yes. Smile, Sisters and Awkward are popular graphic novels with school and family humor.