The Family Russell stayed to sign every last book. A band of students wanted a group pic, but first, Nikki issued her go-to command: “Say ‘Dorky’!” She raised the camera as the kids raised the volume, a proud “geek” chorus of “Door-keeee!”Īnd when the kids opened their signed books - any one of the eight in the series, until the ninth hits stores June 2 - they saw the same empowering inscription: “Let your inner dork shine!” Nikki stood up and was soon the one taking photos. “I like Oprah and Michelle Obama, and if I ever met them, I could hug them easily,” she said, “because I feel like I’ve already bonded with them and admire their work.”Īsk these huddles of third- through sixth-graders why they like “Dork Diaries” so much, and they’ll excitedly say it’s because of “the humor” and “the cliffhangers” and “the drama.” McNair teacher JC Thomas says a deeper reason, based on classroom feedback, is that the kids just plain relate to the adolescent characters. Rachel knows that the hug requests mean the books are a form of bonding. A former primary-school teacher, she looked comfortable being at the center of a student swarm. To her left, younger daughter and illustrator Nikki Russell, 29, leaned in for a photo. “I’ve had to learn to adjust to it at events,” said Rachel’s elder daughter and contributing writer, Erin Russell, 31.
“But my friend just came back to get a picture with them,” came the reply from a girl with bouncing black braids, electronic tablet in hand. “Children, go report to dismissal,” an adult in charge said to several fans. So just like that, a three-step routine emerged.
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Within minutes, the hugs spread to Rachel’s two daughters, who help Mom create the best-selling kids’ series “ Dork Diaries.” Nine of every 10 pupils in line were female, and within a few years, these fans will be the same age as the characters in the books. Rachel’s writing had touched them, and now many wanted to touch her. No longer would the children, in line 80-deep, settle for just autographs and bookmarks. Sitting behind a table at McNair Elementary in Herndon, Va., the author swiveled to the side and embraced the tween. Kids sometimes sought hugs at bookstores, but not at schools.
She had rarely, if ever, experienced this with students. (April Greer/For The Washington Post)Īs the girl moved toward her, arms outstretched, Rachel Renée Russell needed a beat to react. “Dork Diaries 9: Tales From a Not-So-Dorky Drama Queen” comes out in June. “Dork Diaries” creator Rachel Renee Russel with daughters Nikki, center, and Erin.
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