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DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

A novel in cartoons, from the diary of a wimpy kid series , vol. 1.

by Jeff Kinney & illustrated by Jeff Kinney ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2007

Certain to elicit both gales of giggles and winces of sympathy (not to mention recognition) from young readers.

First volume of a planned three, this edited version of an ongoing online serial records a middle-school everykid’s triumphs and (more often) tribulations through the course of a school year.

Largely through his own fault, mishaps seem to plague Greg at every turn, from the minor freak-outs of finding himself permanently seated in class between two pierced stoners and then being saddled with his mom for a substitute teacher, to being forced to wrestle in gym with a weird classmate who has invited him to view his “secret freckle.” Presented in a mix of legible “hand-lettered” text and lots of simple cartoon illustrations with the punch lines often in dialogue balloons, Greg’s escapades, unwavering self-interest and sardonic commentary are a hoot and a half. 

Pub Date: April 1, 2007

ISBN: 0-8109-9313-9

Page Count: 224

Publisher: Amulet/Abrams

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2007

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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More In The Series

HOT MESS

BOOK REVIEW

by Jeff Kinney ; illustrated by Jeff Kinney

NO BRAINER

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SEEN & HEARD

RETURN TO SENDER

RETURN TO SENDER

by Julia Alvarez ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 13, 2009

Though it lacks nuance, still a must-read.

Tyler is the son of generations of Vermont dairy farmers.

Mari is the Mexican-born daughter of undocumented migrant laborers whose mother has vanished in a perilous border crossing. When Tyler’s father is disabled in an accident, the only way the family can afford to keep the farm is by hiring Mari’s family. As Tyler and Mari’s friendship grows, the normal tensions of middle-school boy-girl friendships are complicated by philosophical and political truths. Tyler wonders how he can be a patriot while his family breaks the law. Mari worries about her vanished mother and lives in fear that she will be separated from her American-born sisters if la migra comes. Unashamedly didactic, Alvarez’s novel effectively complicates simple equivalencies between what’s illegal and what’s wrong. Mari’s experience is harrowing, with implied atrocities and immigration raids, but equally full of good people doing the best they can. The two children find hope despite the unhappily realistic conclusions to their troubles, in a story which sees the best in humanity alongside grim realities.

Pub Date: Jan. 13, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-375-85838-3

Page Count: 240

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2008

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by Julia Alvarez ; illustrated by Raúl Colón

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by Julia Alvarez ; illustrated by Sabra Field

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by Julia Alvarez

TUCK EVERLASTING

TUCK EVERLASTING

by Natalie Babbitt ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1975

However the compelling fitness of theme and event and the apt but unexpected imagery (the opening sentences compare the...

At a time when death has become an acceptable, even voguish subject in children's fiction, Natalie Babbitt comes through with a stylistic gem about living forever. 

Protected Winnie, the ten-year-old heroine, is not immortal, but when she comes upon young Jesse Tuck drinking from a secret spring in her parents' woods, she finds herself involved with a family who, having innocently drunk the same water some 87 years earlier, haven't aged a moment since. Though the mood is delicate, there is no lack of action, with the Tucks (previously suspected of witchcraft) now pursued for kidnapping Winnie; Mae Tuck, the middle aged mother, striking and killing a stranger who is onto their secret and would sell the water; and Winnie taking Mae's place in prison so that the Tucks can get away before she is hanged from the neck until....? Though Babbitt makes the family a sad one, most of their reasons for discontent are circumstantial and there isn't a great deal of wisdom to be gleaned from their fate or Winnie's decision not to share it. 

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1975

ISBN: 0312369816

Page Count: 164

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Review Posted Online: April 13, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1975

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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THE MOON OVER HIGH STREET

by Natalie Babbitt

JACK PLANK TELLS TALES

by Valerie Worth & illustrated by Natalie Babbitt

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book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

Good Books for Catholic Kids

Guiding Catholic families towards the True, the Good, and the Beautiful

book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

Review of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

The basic problem is that the protagonist, Greg Heffley, is a lying video game addict who manipulates his friends, disrespects his parents, and doesn’t show personal growth to speak of in the story. I’ll break that down with details for you.

Greg is a liar. He lies to his parents, his teachers, his friends, and his peers. He’s not just any liar: he’s a skilled, sneaky one. For example, when his dad tells him to go play outside, Greg goes to a friend’s house and plays video games. Then he soaks himself in a sprinkler so it looks like he’s been running around working up a sweat, thereby deceiving his dad. On another occasion, Greg deceives his friend’s parents by sneaking in a forbidden violent video game in the case of an educational one.

Let’s talk about the video games. Greg lives for his video games, and he prefers violent ones. He describes car-racing as too babyish, and resents his friend’s contentment with such boring games. The more violent the game, the cooler for Greg. When Christmas comes, he sulks about not getting the particularly violent video game he wants and is ungrateful for all his other presents.

Greg has a rather sweet, slightly immature best friend, Rowley, whom he manipulates and bullies. He beats up Rowley using all the same moves his own brother used to beat him up. He makes fun of Rowley’s simpler tastes in video games and humor. On one occasion, he convinces Rowley to ride a big wheel down a hill repeatedly while Greg throws a football at his head to try to knock him off. This is the great friendship in the book, and I actually found it truly sad to read.

Greg has a abysmal view of adults in general. He considers them dumb and easily tricked. Unfortunately, in this story the adults  are  rather dumb and easily tricked. He repeatedly gets around video game grounding by sneaking off to game at his friend Rowley’s house. He tricks Rowley’s parents by sneaking in video games they have expressly forbidden in their home. Greg’s teachers are also sometimes taken in by his lies.

The ending of the book is supposed to provide a shade of redemption in one area of Greg’s life at least: he finally does something kind for Rowley. But here’s the problem: the kind act is telling a lie to get Rowley out of an embarrassing predicament. At this point, I was asking, really, Jeff Kinney? That’s the best redemptive moment you can come up with?

There are miscellaneous other problematic areas of the book. One that really bothered me was a scenario where Greg’s older brother left a bikini pictures magazine laying out and Greg’s littler brother took it to show and tell. This is supposed to be hilarious; it’s most certainly not what I want my 8-12 year old laughing about.

11 thoughts on “ Review of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” ”

Pingback: Concerning Turkish Delight ~ Good Books for Catholic Kids

I watched my now 8-year old grandson go from reading the type of books you recommend to reading Captain Underpants and now the Wimpy Kid books, both of which are provided each week by his school library. I abhor those books that contribute nothing toward his growth as God would have it. I spent an hour searching for anyone to agree with my judgement, but only found accolades. And I learned there are 14 of the Wimpy Kid books! After shutting down my computer, it suddenly occurred to me to ask for a Catholic review and I found your website. Thank you. I am going to pass it on to my son, the father of said boy, who has never been a reluctant reader, but now he’s reading junk!

I’m so glad you found this review helpful! These books definitely have a way of spoiling a child’s ability to appreciate wholesome, classic books. I think most parents have no idea the messages these books are conveying. I hope your grandson rediscovers his love for good books!

These books are horrible! My sister-in-law keeps buying them for my son, and my husband won’t agree to just ask her to stop. The worst part? Our son eats up the piggish, amoral, irreverent humor. They are a true reflection of what our society is coming to, and they glorify the opposite of all the values I am trying to teach. 😦

That’s a tough situation! I agree they are simply horrible books. I hope you can find a way to get them out of your home!

Thank you for this review! I saw the author of the Diary of A Whimpy Kid series, on EWTN news and it sounded like it was a fun but good Catholic series. I went out and bought the whole series for my 9 year old grandson. I am very upset with myself. I am very close to my grandson. He loves the series. At least now I know I need to have a conversation about them with him. Thank God, He led me here.

oh my goodness! i never realized how terrible these books are. my 17 year old is so into these books but now i will have to stop buying them. i will remove them from the household as i don’t want my child to be learning about manipulative liars. thanks brittany.

This is an invaluable review. Thank you!

My children were reading those books when younger, I wish I had read the before, but, oh, how much you rely on what the school recommends! It’s completely opposite to how I brought them up… So sad. I wonder what the author was like when younger and what brought him to write the series…

Thank you for this review. I had a feeling these books were not for the type of reading I want for my son, but your review just confirms it. THANK YOU!

Thank you for your review. I was going to buy books from this series for my 2nd grade classroom because I knew they were popular with 2nd graders and reluctant readers. Now I know to spend my money elsewhere. I’ll look through your site to see what you’d recommend.

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The Children's Book Review

5 Reasons to Love Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Bianca Schulze

Book List of Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books: 1-19 The Children’s Book Review

Remember when your kiddo first cracked open a book and couldn’t stop giggling? Or what about that time during a family road trip when suddenly, the long hours in the backseat flew by? When my son finds himself with a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and in Greg Heffley’s world, relating to his awkward adventures and witty observations, time and giggles fly!

While Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are typically aimed at middle-grade readers (ages 8-12), their humor and insights can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages, making them perfect for family reading or nostalgic adults.

For many kids, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are friends who understand the rollercoaster of growing up. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the series, something magical about these books keeps readers coming back for more. So, let’s dive into why Diary of a Wimpy Kid isn’t just another book series on the shelf but a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate readers young and old.

Here are 5 reasons we love the iconic series Diary of a Wimpy Kid:

Relatable protagonist: Greg Heffley, the main character, is not just an average middle-schooler. He’s a mirror reflecting the everyday challenges of many young readers. His experiences with family, friends, and school resonate, making the books highly engaging and offering joyful comfort for many.

Humorous storytelling: The series doesn’t just blend witty narration with comical illustrations; it weaves them together to create a tapestry of laughter and light-heartedness. The books tackle common adolescent issues but with a refreshing and invigorating dose of humor that leaves readers chuckling.

Accessible format: The combination of text and cartoon-style drawings makes these books appealing to reluctant readers. The diary format and simple language also contribute to the series’ page-turning readability.

Character growth: Throughout the series, readers witness Greg’s subtle character development as he navigates various situations, learns from his mistakes, and forms stronger relationships with family and friends.

Universal themes: While set in a specific cultural context, the books explore universal themes like friendship, self-identity, and growing up. This broad appeal has contributed to the series’ global popularity and translations into numerous languages.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has captured the hearts of millions of young readers worldwide, offering a fun and relatable perspective on the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Its global popularity helps readers feel part of a larger community of fans, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. With each book in the series bringing new adventures and laughs, readers often find themselves eager to explore Greg’s world further.

Whether you’re new to the series or revisiting old favorites, there’s always another witty escapade waiting in the pages of the next Wimpy Kid book. So why not dive in and see where Greg’s diary takes you next?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books In Order: 1-19

Did you know? Jeff Kinney, the mastermind behind Diary of a Wimpy Kid, has an obsession with the number 217! Every single book in the series is precisely 217 pages long. Why? Because Kinney wants his books to line up perfectly on your bookshelf. Talk about shelf-control! Next time you spot a Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, go ahead and flip to page 217—you’ll always find “The End” right where it belongs. Now, that’s what we call thinking outside the book!

Book cover: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4185-2

Published: Apr 01, 2007

Buy the Book:

Book cover: Rodrick Rules

2. Rodrick Rules

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4186-9

Published: Feb 01, 2008

Book cover: The Last Straw

3. The Last Straw

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4187-6

Published: Jan 01, 2009

Book cover: Dog Days

4. Dog Days

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4188-3

Published: Oct 01, 2009

Book cover: The Ugly Truth

5. The Ugly Truth

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4189-0

Published: Nov 01, 2010

Book cover: Cabin Fever

6. Cabin Fever

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4191-3

Published: Nov 01, 2011

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: The Third Wheel

7. The Third Wheel

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4193-7

Published: Nov 13, 2012

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: Hard Luck

8. Hard Luck

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4194-4

Published: Nov 5, 2013

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: The Long Haul

9. The Long Haul

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4195-1

Published: Nov 4, 2014

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: Old School

10. Old School

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4196-8

Published: Nov 3, 2015

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: Double Down

11. Double Down

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4197-5

Published: Nov 1, 2016

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: The Getaway

12. The Getaway

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4198-2

Published: Nov 7, 2017

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: The Meltdown

13. The Meltdown

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4199-9

Published: Oct 30, 2018

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: The Wrecking Ball

14. Wrecking Ball

ISBN: 978-1-4197-3903-3

Published: Nov 5, 2019

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: The Deep End

15. The Deep End

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4868-4

Published: Oct 27, 2020

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: Big Shot

16. Big Shot

ISBN: 978-1-4197-4915-5

Published: Oct 16, 2021

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: Diper Overlods

17. Diper Överlöde

ISBN: 978-1-4197-6294-9

Published: Oct 25, 2022

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover:No Brainer

18. No Brainer

ISBN: 978-1-4197-6694-7

Published: Oct 24, 2023

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book Cover: Hot Mess

19. Hot Mess

ISBN: 978-1-4197-6695-4

Published: Oct 22, 2024

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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Friday 25 December 2020

Review: diary of a wimpy kid: the deep end.

book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

Title:  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End Author:  Jeff Kinney Publisher:  Puffin, $14.99   Publication Date:  27 October 2020 Format:  Paperback ISBN:  9780143796084 For ages:  7 - 12 Type:  Junior Fiction

book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

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Parents' guide to, diary of a wimpy kid: old school.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Poster Image

  • Common Sense Says
  • Parents Say 7 Reviews
  • Kids Say 26 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Carrie R. Wheadon

Shout-out to screen-free time in 10th funny installment.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Old School is the 10th book in the bestselling Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. This time Wimpy Kid Greg gets into all-new shenanigans including hitching a ride with his grandpa to the hardware store and going the wrong way down the highway. Plus, in a tumble, one kid's tooth gets…

Why Age 8+?

Grandpa drives the wrong way down the road with Greg in the car; a kid gets a to

Any Positive Content?

Mom gets everyone on a gadget-free weekend kick, introducing many reasons (such

Greg often makes the wrong decisions -- it's his hallmark and what makes his ant

Reminders about the good and bad of living back in the day without technology, a

Violence & Scariness

Grandpa drives the wrong way down the road with Greg in the car; a kid gets a tooth lodged in his forehead when another kid falls on him; a beetle crawls into a kid's ear; poison ivy. Imagined scariness of a crazy farmer prowling the grounds of a kids' camp, with one illustration of him coming out of a camp toilet and pictures of zombies. A story from Greg's dad's youth about his friend's mother giving him a spanking -- he's pictured over her knee.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Mom gets everyone on a gadget-free weekend kick, introducing many reasons (such as people on cell phones colliding in the park and Grandpa getting too caught up in Internet dating). Ideas on how rumors get started and why. It's also slyly about teamwork. A mild amount of potty humor includes Greg’s baby brother, Manny, having the rule “No pants after dinner” to get him potty-trained faster. You see him as a stick figure running around naked, Grandpa in his undies and robe, and Greg's rear end getting out of a pool.

Positive Role Models

Greg often makes the wrong decisions -- it's his hallmark and what makes his antics really funny to kids. His worst decision: letting an elementary school kid genius do all his middle school homework; there are no consequences other than Greg being moved up to tougher classes he's sure to fail on his own. He pins blame on others often but is just as often blamed for others' misdeeds. His buddies on the school camping trip are hopeless at working together at first but eventually work as a team. Greg's mom, as always, keeps Greg in line when it counts. She talks Greg into doing his part at a park cleanup by reminding him how special it was when they went to the park when he was little.

Educational Value

Reminders about the good and bad of living back in the day without technology, a few tips on how to survive in the woods (provided by a book that Greg’s grandpa gives him). Plus how not to make lemonade and a cautionary tale against taking apart the sink by yourself.

Parents need to know that Old School is the 10th book in the bestselling Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney . This time Wimpy Kid Greg gets into all-new shenanigans including hitching a ride with his grandpa to the hardware store and going the wrong way down the highway. Plus, in a tumble, one kid's tooth gets lodged in another kid's forehead. And kids at a camp give themselves the willies with a tale about a crazed farmer in the woods. They imagine him and zombies coming out of the camp toilet. Potty humor is pretty mild, with some modestly drawn nakedness: Grandpa in undies and a robe, baby brother Manny running around pants-less, Greg showing his rear end getting out of a pool. One image shows a teen smoking outside an ice-cream place. Greg is full of wrong-headed decisions, as usual -- it's a big part of the humor. That’s why parents will appreciate Greg's always-well-meaning mom who, this time, tries to get the whole town to go screen-free for a weekend and clean up the local park.

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

  • Parents say (7)
  • Kids say (26)

Based on 7 parent reviews

BEST BOOK EVER !!!!

What's the story.

Greg's school is headed to a week of camping at Hardscrabble Farms, and he’s determined to get out of it. That is, until things at home start to go awry. Greg’s grandpa moves in and takes his room so Greg has to bunk with his baby brother, Manny. Then Greg floods the bathroom while his dad is out and tries to cover it up with a trip to the hardware store with Grandpa -- not realizing until it's too late that Grandpa lost his license and his brother Rodrick didn't fill the car with gas. Oh, and then there's that time he's chased by Girl Scouts in the park and almost turns fugitive. So Greg finally caves and decides his life must get better at camp … and that's where things get much, much worse.

Is It Any Good?

After a few diary entries that don't quite gel, this 10th installment finds its funny bone about halfway through, right about when Greg is chased by the incredibly industrious Girl Scouts. The story is at its absolute best at camp when one mishap piles on top of another to create truly ridiculous situations. Kids will guffaw at the loss of deodorant privileges and when Greg realizes they need to shower in their own sweat. There's a bit of humor for parents, too -- no joke -- such as how Greg's dad reacts to having his father live with them and how Greg's mom keeps tabs on her son.

And there's a moment of reflection for everyone about their screen time. Guess who breaks the rules in the end? Hint: It's not the kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about screen-free time. Have you ever tried to ditch the gadgets for a few days or a week? How did it go? How does this work out for Greg's mom?

What do you think of this Wimpy Kid installment? What makes the books funny? If Greg weren't a stick figure, would you want someone like that to be your friend? Why, or why not?

How does the Silas Scratch rumor get started? Why? Why does Greg keep it going when he knows the truth?

Book Details

  • Author : Jeff Kinney
  • Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
  • Genre : Humor
  • Topics : Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Horses and Farm Animals
  • Book type : Fiction
  • Publisher : Amulet Books
  • Publication date : November 3, 2015
  • Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
  • Number of pages : 224
  • Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
  • Last updated : July 19, 2018

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IMAGES

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  4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

  5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

    book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

  6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid · Books · Wimpy Kid · Official

    book review of the diary of a wimpy kid

VIDEO

  1. Ranking EVERY Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book

  2. Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Book Review by Logan from Skitz Kidz

  3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid No Brainer

  4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #18

  5. Diary Of A Wimpy Kid

  6. I Read EVERY Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book

COMMENTS

  1. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

    BOOK REVIEW. HOW TÍA LOLA ENDED UP STARTING OVER. by Julia Alvarez. First volume of a planned three, this edited version of an ongoing online serial records a middle …

  2. Review of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

    The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is extremely popular with the 8-12 year old crowd. I see librarians and book clubs frequently recommending it as the perfect book to interest reluctant readers.

  3. Jeff Kinney Talks About Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Jeff Kinney Talks About: How his college comic strip, Igdoof, garnered attention but fell short of syndication due to skill gaps and contracting challenges. The idea for Diary of a Wimpy Kid stemmed from his accountability journal, featuring text …

  4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1 Book Review

    In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Greg Heffley gets a journal from his mom ("a JOURNAL, not a diary") and records a middle school year's worth of crazy kid schemes, brushes with bullies, bad units in gym class, bids for …

  5. Parent reviews for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1

    Read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1 reviews from parents on Common Sense Media. Become a member to write your own review.

  6. 5 Reasons to Love Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Here are 5 reasons we love the iconic series Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Relatable protagonist: Greg Heffley, the main character, is not just an average middle-schooler. He’s a …

  7. Review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End

    If you’re looking for a fun, funny and easy read, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is what you’re looking for! Written as journal entries, The Deep End (and the rest of the Wimpy Kid series) takes you deep inside Greg’s head, …

  8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Book Review

    Parents need to know that Old School is the 10th book in the bestselling Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. This time Wimpy Kid Greg gets into all-new shenanigans including hitching a ride with his grandpa to the hardware …