Jamie was feeling like she was not very good at anything, and was loosing her confidence in herself because her friends were doing better than her in school. And then, we find out why they were doing better, and it wasn't an honest situation.

This book is the diary of a girl in late elementary school to early middle school, and holds the thoughts and rants of her adventures through trouble with math and the fear of possible summer school. But after working with a friend or two, and working hard, she sees that math isn't so bad, especially when her grade goes up. ( )

Jamie Kelly is a seventh grader at Mackerel Middle School. Her friend is Isabella, a smart and very rough little girl. Angeline is the popular girl who gets all the attention. Jamie and Angeline are sort of cousins because Angeline's uncle married Jamie's aunt therefore they are somewhat friends. In this diary of Jamie Kelly, Jamie writes about how she struggles with math class and her grades. In order for this to be prevented, Isabella is paid ten dollars by Jamie's parents to find a way to motivate Jamie in doing better at school. Isabella makes Angeline look smarter and better than Jamie to make Jamie jealous so that she will work harder. In the end it all worked out, they confessed to Jamie, and Jamie got a good grade in math class.
I knew that I would love this book very much because I have already read the first series. I am so glad Jim Benton is beginning another series because I cannot get enough of Jamie Kelly. I look forward to reading more of year two. Not only was this book funny, but it was also entertaining. I also loved how this book was not like others, it was a book written in purple ink with fantasy type words and it looked like an actual seventh grade girl diary. It was an amazing read! ( )

This was very funny! It dealt with school issues in a non-cliché laughable manner. I really enjoyed it, and will soon read more from the series. ( )

Jamie Kelly is a middle schooler who does not like math and is tired of school. In this addition to the Dumb Diary Series, readers find out about Jamie’s struggle to do well in math. Despite her parent’s warnings and her friend’s help Jamie does not understand why anyone needs to do well in math class, shouldn’t being smart in language arts be good enough? The story is told through daily diary entries over the course of one month. The text is written causally with frequent jokes and references to bathroom humor that middle schoolers are likely to find humorous. Small, black and white illustrations are included in every entry that offer humorous asides to the narrative. As the main character is a middle school girl, the primary audience for this book will be young girls. Common themes include being smart, looking cool, talking to cute boys, making friends, taking tests, summer school, and fighting with parents. Additionally, this book effectively incorporates new vocabulary words, both useful and humorous, that mesh well in the narrative. This book is recommended for purchase as a transitional chapter book or a hi-lo reader in a public or school library. (Ages 8-12) ( )