Diary of a Wimpy Kid
It's no wonder that Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been such a hit with middle school kids. It's a very funny book. Billed as ‘a novel in cartoons’, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is the diary of Greg Heffley, except Greg wants readers to know, "This is a JOURNAL, not a diary" and "...this was MOM's idea, not mine." Full of middle school humour, this is the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Greg is one of three children. According to Greg, his little brother, Manny, "never gets in trouble, even if he really deserves it" and his older brother Rodrick is always getting the best of Greg.
In his diary, Greg details his daily activities, starting with the first day of middle school and his warnings to readers about choosing where to sit in class.
How does Greg feel about middle school? He thinks it's dumb because, "You got kids like me who haven't hit their growth spurt yet mixed in with these gorillas who need to shave twice a day."
Whether it's dealing with bullying, his friend Rowley, homework or family life, Greg is always busy trying to figure out the angle that will make things come out best for him. Jeff Kinney does a great jobs, in words and pictures, of illustrating the general goofiness that comes with being a self-centred adolescent and the funny things that happen as a result.
The lined pages, along with Greg's handwriting, his pen and ink sketches and cartoons, really make it seem like an actual diary, adding greatly to the reader's enjoyment. If you are looking for a book with a main character to look up to, this isn't it. However, if you are looking for an amusing book that you will enjoy and relate to, this is it.
By Jeff Kinney
