THE EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING LIFE OF LOTTIE BROOKS, by Katie Kirby, Random House Books for Young Readers, July 1, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Follow an 11-year-old as she experiences the ups and downs of growing up in The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks, by Katie Kirby.
A Warning to Future Readers:
Hi, I’m Lottie Brooks! I’m 11 (and 3/4) years old and this is my diary. Before you read, though, you should be warned. This book is going to include mortifying moments like bra shopping with your mom and your seven-year-old brother, showing up to class with cereal in your hair, watching your dad sing horrible karaoke, standing awkwardly at your first school dance, and so many more humiliating occurrences.
Turn away now if you’d rather not read about such excruciating experiences. It would be entirely understandable and highly recommended! —Synopsis provided by Random House Books for Young Readers
The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks, written by UK bestselling author Katie Kirby, is the first book in the Lottie Brooks series, which was first published in the UK.
Billed as Diary of a Wimpy Kid was from a girl’s perspective, the series delves into the awkward experiences girls can expect to experience — bra shopping, first school dance, embarrassing parents…
All these experiences play out in Lottie’s journal, complete with doodles, lists and bullet points. As the mother of an 11-year-old girl, I can honestly say that Kirby truly has captured what life is like. Lottie’s voice is clear and full of energy. And she has just the right energy for this time of change.
Though The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks is just over 400 pages, it feels a lot shorter. Each chapter/journal entry is punchy and fast-moving. The addition of illustrations also makes it move at a good clip. And the humor is spot on.
While The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks may not have as much crossover appeal as Wimpy Kid (I don’t see boys wanting to know about bra shopping), it does have broad tween girl appeal. And even girls a little older than Lottie will appreciate Lottie’s story. I look forward to reading the next book, The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks, which is slated for publication February 2026.
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