Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1

Parents say
Based on 101 reviews
Kids say
Based on 312 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid is the first of a blockbuster multi-book series starring middle schooler Greg Heffley, who usually doesn't do the right thing the first time around. His cluelessness about what would keep him out of trouble and why parents, teachers, and friends are upset with him is part of the book's humor, which leads the reader to any lesson Greg should be learning. Parents will appreciate that Rowley's dad researches video games on a parent website to see if they have too much violence. Also, it is clear that Greg's mom is working hard to raise respectful sons.
Community Reviews
Main character is a bad influence
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Entertaining and a good start for young readers.
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What's the Story?
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 student government, school play humiliation, and more.
Is It Any Good?
Begun in 2004 by a game developer as comics on the site www.funbrain.com, this "novel in cartoons" translates well to book form. Diary of a Wimpy Kid reads like little episodes in clueless middle schooler Greg Heffley's life, with a great sense of humor throughout. Many kids have been there before, so they'll laugh heartily at Greg's mishaps.
Greg's grand schemes -- to become popular (running for treasurer, writing the comic for the school newspaper), get the most candy on Halloween, or build a robot that won't repeat swear words -- are all destined for failure. The reader knows where the flaws are in Greg's half-baked plans, as well as the lesson he doesn't quite get in the end. Writing down your thoughts on actual paper may be old-school in the age of social media, sure, but it still has many benefits -- including privacy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Greg's journal in Diary of a Wimpy Kid . Would you or have you ever kept a journal? Would you include art and humor in your journal? How would yours be unique?
What do you think makes the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series so popular around the world?
What do you think of Greg's friendship with Rowley? Have you had friendships like that? What would make Greg a better friend?
Book Details
- Author: Jeff Kinney
- Genre: School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: April 1, 2007
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Last updated: May 26, 2020
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love school stories and humor
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