Written in the style of Dork Diaries or The Diary of a Wimpy Kid this book introduces us to Lottie Brooks, aged eleven and three quarters. Lottie, like many 11-year-old children is anxious about starting a new school and has much in her young life to contend with. Her best friend has just emigrated, she's prepubescent, insecure and trying to find her way of fitting in.

There are some real laugh out loud moments as we follow the highs and lows of being a pre-teen but, at the same time, Kirby has managed to tackle some of the very real issues that youngsters face. As such, I would have no hesitation recommending this to pre-teens and even young teens. The humorous stick-figure illustrations will tempt even the most reluctant of readers.

Whole-heartedly recommended (and to adults too who will recall being there, doing that, and then watching their off-spring do just the same!) I can't wait to be able to use the line from the "kiss"!

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

Written in the style of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries this is the perfect pre teen read for girls. Saying that as a 41 year old woman I found it laugh out loud funny. It was actually good as a parent to be reminded of my own pre teen angst!!

Perfect Easter gift or birthday pressie for a 10 or 11 year old girl in their final year of primary school and any girls from that age upwards. Thank you NetGalley, Puffin and Katie Kirby for the opportunity to read this and review.

Perfect book for a pre teen struggling with teen life! It’s like a modern Adrian Mole! Illustrations are brilliant too!

I am not at all the target audience for this book, being in my mid 30s, but I still loved it! I also know I would have loved it when I was the age it is marketed at. It's just how I remember that age being and as a parent now I laughed out loud a number of times when Lottie wrote things about her parents. Moving schools and changing friendships, the trials of growing up, it covered a lot and did it well. The illustrations were a cute addition too. Following reading this arc I actually pre-ordered my own physical copy to reread and to keep for my children when they are older. The cover and spine of the book are beautiful too.
Review will be added to my Goodreads and Amazon.

I loved this book so much!

I was a big fan of the Georgia Nicholson books when I was younger and this had the exact same vibe only it was more up-to-date.

I was either laughing out loud or sympathising with the main character during every page of the book and I felt so connected to Lottie. I genuinely think this is a character that a lot of girls will be able to relate to. The entire cast of characters were phenomenal and well developed.

The pacing was brilliant - it wasn't too slow or repetitive, and it had just enough action to make it exciting and realistic.

I particularly adored how this book tackled a lot of topics that are very prevalent in today's society such as climate change and social media. It is so important to have realistic books like this that tackle these subjects in a fun and interesting way while also showing the severity of the situation.

I can't wait to see where the series takes us and to see Lottie grow!

Occasionally I like to read a children’s book, it’s a lovely change and a break from the usual. A bit of escapism. Lottie Brooks is an 11 year old girl who feels her life is falling apart. Her best friend Molly has emigrated to Australia just as Lottie is due to move up to secondary school. She doesn’t know anyone and is very nervous about making new friends. Lottie starts a diary so she feels like she’s got someone to talk to.
Lottie is a wonderful character, she’s artistic, funny, clever and kind hearted…. But for some reason she seems to get herself into some very embarrassing situations! We journey with her as she navigates her way through making new friends and trying to fit in.
This book addresses so many worries and issues that an 11 year old girl would face and it‘s done with such humour. There’s so many important messages that the reader can take from this story!
This was a fantastic read!
I highly recommend this book!

Great book for middle grade about the trials and tribulations of the transition from Primary to Secondary (high) school

A good read. Definitely covers the troubles and worries faced by a child of this age. Great read for children aged around 11. Although I wasn't the target audience I still enjoyed it. I loved being able to visualise the local places used as it was set not far from my home town. Great ending too!

I devoured this book in a day, I absolutely loved it, it was just what I needed. This book is suited for those around the age of 11+ but as an 18 year old I still loved it. It made me remember and reminisce of my own school days when I was Lottie's age and I think it could be very helpful to those who are going into secondary school, this book teaches those of Lottie's age not to be worried about what others think or say about you but to just be you! That is all that matters and I think that portrayed really well in this book. I will definitely be reading the next edition to this series next year, and I would definitely recommend this to anyone of any age who wants a quick, easy and funny read.

Oh, what a reminder of pre-teen life this was!

Katie Kirby knows what she's doing. Her adult humour books have done so well because she is hilarious and so relatable, and that's exactly what The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks is. This is a perfect story of secondary school life and all its complications. And, of course, the added pressures of Instagram!

This is an excellent, very funny, relatable and engulfing read. It is perfect for fans of Dork Diary and Wimpy Kid, and is even more relevant for British kids. As someone who was a pre-teen several years ago (like, a whole child ago), I really enjoyed this book, and I know kids will love it even more. Great!

Also, there's a line about blowing a kiss that had me laughing for a solid ten minutes at two in the morning. Look out for that genius.

The trials and tribulations of a pre-teenage girl. It all sounded so believable. Can’t wait to hear what my granddaughter thinks

Review of The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks
Great book for teens to read. Well written and nicely illustrated.

3 stars for this children’s book in diary format.

This children’s novel introduces us to Lottie Brooks, aged eleven and three quarters, who will start high school after the summer holidays. Lottie has started writing a diary in the hope it will be like having someone to talk to, as her best and only friend Molly has just emigrated to Australia. We meet Lottie’s family and pet hamsters, and learn about her fears and insecurities – about fitting in at high school, about making new friends, and about puberty which she both dreads happening and wishes would happen immediately.

The mistakes Lottie makes in her desire for friendship are clearly signalled: at high school, she goes against her instincts in an attempt to fit in with the fashionable, mean girls of the story, and she drops a real friend, but she manages to turn things around as she grows in understanding and confidence. The novel ends with Lottie recording in her diary the importance of being yourself rather than who you think others want you to be.

The self-deprecating wit of Lottie’s diary entries is complemented by humorous stick-figure cartoons running through the pages. Its themes are generally covered in sensible, helpful ways. I really wanted to like this book but for me personally (as an adult, obviously not the demographic at which the book is aimed), it all felt a touch too workmanlike, lacking spark and authenticity.

Nevertheless, I can see that this novel would be a useful recommendation to girls nervous about starting secondary school, and I can imagine it being popular with those who have outgrown the Daisy Meadows fairy series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

This first instalment in a new series for pre-teens is the diary of Lottie Brooks. Aged 11 and three quarters, she is about to start high school – a challenging time for anyone, but especially for Lottie whose best friend has moved across the world to Australia! Not only that… she’s just discovered she needs a BRA to start high school! What?! This chaotic story with funny cartoons, plenty of embarrassing moments and two hamsters named Sir Barnaby Squeakington and Fuzzball the Third will be much loved by children aged 9-12 (and a few adults too!)

When I saw this title pop up on Netgalley I knew I had to read it as it reminded me of the Georgia Nicholson series of books that I read as a teenager. This hilarious tale is certainly very similar but a more up date version involving tik tok and Instagram. I know that teenage me would have really enjoyed this book, it is so lighthearted with relatable characters. Adult me found it funny, easy to read and a nice bit of escapism from everything going on in the world.

I really enjoyed this laugh out loud book. Although it is obviously aimed at preteens I could relate to the characters at that awkward stage where your not a child but not quite a teen yet. Lottie is starting secondary school and her best friend has just moved to Australia so she has lots of emotional upheaval at a difficult time. The book deals with starting a new school, making new friends, getting your first bra, periods and relationships. It is very funny and Katie Kirby's distinctive illustrations are brilliant. The book reminds me of the Judy Blume books I used to read but with a very modern twist. The book deals really well with the issue of friendships and trying to fit in. My 12 year old son also found it really funny too and provided a great insight into all the things young girls go through during puberty and the similarities between the two experiences growing up.
Thank you for Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Poor Lottie! Her best friend Molly has gone to live in Australia, so not only is she completely friendless, she has to put up with her seven-year-old brother Toby. She’s scared of how she’ll cope without Molly, she’s BORED TO DEATH during the summer holidays, she’s worried about starting high school, and what’s even worse – she wants a bra but has no boobs. No worries, she has a plan. She’s going to reinvent herself during the holidays, gain confidence, and start high school as the popular girl that everyone wants to be friends with. This book made me laugh out loud, and took me back to when I was eleven and knitted myself a red bra. It was just a three-inch wide length of bad knitting stitched into a circle with two pieces of elastic for shoulder straps. Ridiculous, but I loved it and it made me feel twelve! All 9+-year-olds will relate to Lottie, and I’m sure parents will have a chuckle if they pick it up. I loved the way it was written in diary form, and the illustrations are great. Good one!

This was the perfect feel good book for these trying times - and what a hoot! I think it deals perfectly with the angst that girls feel when they are starting secondary school and I love the drawings. I expect we'll be seeing more of Lottie Brooks!

This is the perfect book for pre teens. My daughter loves to read books written in diary format. This has helped her develop a love of reading and independence so when I saw this book I had to request! I found it to be a book that girls of the recommended reading age 9 - 12 with relate to and enjoy. I especially loved the drawings. This books made me smile a lot!

I have passed it to my ten year old daughter and we are going to review it together.
Thank you for this opportunity

Lottie is 11, she loves her pet hamsters, she's got an embarrassing little brother, her best friend has left just as they're about to start high school & she's too flat chested to wear a bra. Lottie is like a younger Georgia Nicolson & I know an 11 year old who'll love her. This is the kind of book you need at this age; funny and relatable with just the right amount of angst, and a happy ending.