Let's make this birthday one to remember.

79 years old (Born on December 11, 1945)

Happy Birthday, Rachel Renee Russell! Your delightful tales of Nikki Maxwell's quirky life have hilariously captured the joys (and woes) of middle school survival. Thanks to you, locker troubles, diary disasters and cafeteria crises are now timeless treasures—reminding everyone that it's totally cool being a dork.

Your clever humor and heartfelt characters continue winning hearts worldwide with each new Dork Diaries installment—a true success story written for all ages. Here's hoping your birthday is filled with fewer dramatic moments than poor Nikki usually faces—but still packed full of fabulous fun worthy of your favorite goofy heroine!