Diary of a Wimpy Kid (by Jeff Kinney)
common sense media says
Laugh-out-loud funny school stories with lessons.
parents & educators say
- 31% say language is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that main character Greg 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 Web site to see if they have too much violence. Also, it is clear that Greg's mom is working hard to raise respectful sons.
Positive role models:
A big part of the book's humor is Greg's cluelessness about what would have kept him out of trouble and why his parents, teachers, and friends are upset with him. Readers get this message in the humor. Greg mistreats his underdog friend Rowley more than a few times, but this comes back to haunt him. Greg's parents try hard to lead him in the right direction; his mom is especially formidable in a few situations. Rowley's dad looks up video games on a parent Web site to see if they have too much violence.
Violence:
Greg draws pictures of kids getting pushed around by bullies at school. Teens chase him in a truck and make Rowley eat something disgusting. Greg breaks Rowley's hand in a dangerous stunt.
Sex:
Boys notice girls at school. Greg's older brother gets in trouble for letting their baby brother bring a magazine picture of a girl in a bikini to show-and-tell. His mom makes him apologize to all women on paper.
Language:
Kids get in trouble in Independent Study for writing down all the swear words they know -- but you don't see any of the words, and it's for a pretty innocent reason. "Jerk," "morons," and "fart" are the strongest words used in the cartoons. Greg tries to listen to his brother's Parent Advisory-labeled music and gets caught.
Consumerism:
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
In an anti-smoking poster contest at school, Greg loses to a kid who he says smokes at least a pack of cigarettes a day.
More on Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
thefournguyens
parent of 6 and 9 year old
parent of 6 and 9 year old
Great for someone older than 9.
You can call me an over-protective parent anytime and that's fine. I prefer to limit what my kids are exposed to at this age. There is so much great literature out there that does not humiliate or include messages about bullying. While I think this book is amusing on a pre-teen kid scale, it is not appropriate for someone under the age of at least 10. Older children have a better ability to distinguish between what is funny in fiction and what it appropriate in real-life. Just because it's on the NYT bestseller list does not mean it's okay for younger kids. If a child thinks that it's funny when someone is bullied or humiliated, fiction or not, I think that's a problem.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
littlemisszozo
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
A must read!
Sweet! I Love This Book! :)
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
the Liberator
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
My opinion on Diary of a wimpy kid
I thought this book was a great read and a very well written book i don't think there was anything to rude in the book itself just a good book
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
onemomstanding
parent of 9 year old
parent of 9 year old
sneaky book
Got this book for my 7 year old who was "dying" to have because everybody else did. When he started reding some of the Disrespectful material in the book I took a look and Threw it away! One example is, when the boys are bullying and calling him ugly then hea says your mama thinks you're ugly then he calls his mom and she tells him he's Ugly!??????? Not something I want my child to model or think that's acceptable. Whatever happened to values? and respect? not popular in today's world, but I won't let my child read it because of this kind of content thrown in, with other things that are crude but Seem harmless.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
MangoFlamingo
parent of 6 and 8 year old
parent of 6 and 8 year old
Some of the stuff in this book BUGGED me..
Ok, I only read the first 10 pages in the book store, I admit. But in the first 10 pages the main character talks about sitting between "two HOT GIRLS" in school and then speaks of one of them possibly liking him because he has a "cute butt". I had this book recommened to me in the book store for my 7 year old son. I paged through and thought it was cute until I hit those passages and that was it for me. My son is going to get enough sexualization through today's media as he grows, I don't need to introduce it to him at age 7. It really BUGGED me that this stuff was in there as I think he'd like the book style otherwise.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
chuey
parent of 10 year old
parent of 10 year old
Negative all around
This young boy is already feeling oppressed by life's frustrations and trials. He is facing struggles you'd expect a middle-aged person to be coping with. He is buffeted by negative peers, inept and nasty adults and a variety of unpleasant life situations. That is a lot for a 12 year old (main character) to handle.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
badmen192
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
copycats
why i rated it on for ages 10+
role models
nudity-they showed a comic of an adult pooping in his pants
violence-greg draws pictures of kids getting pushed around by bigger kids
language-some insults poop,moron,jerk,goober
drinking drugs,smoking - a boy names chris drew a picture saying dont smoke its a joke and smokes at least a pack of ciggerates a day
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
414lat
adult
adult
Perfect for middle schoolers, but not for grade schoolers
I think this book is a good read for boys going into middle school. I made my son wait to read this book, but I hope by reading this he learns what not to do to get attention in school next year. The parents are good role models. As for the idea that the only parents who let their children read this book are the ones whose children won't read. This is not true. My son is ten and has already read and appreciated several classics, i.e. The Secret Garden, the complete Chronicles of Narnia set, The Bronze Bow, a variety of Sherlock Holmes stories, etc. Due to the bullying/dangerous stunts and references to smoking that I really don't think are appropriate for younger children to be exposed to I wouldn't give this to a younger child to read.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
MizMSB
educator and parent of 8 and 11 year old
educator and parent of 8 and 11 year old
If it gets your reluctant reader reading, go for it, but be ready to talk about some things.
I'm thrilled for my son to be wanting to read anything, so I don't censor these titles, but I don't think Greg Heffley is a good role model. Unlike the reviewer above, I dont feel like the message that Greg needs to learn to be a better friend comes through clearly enough. My son reads one, then I read it, and then we talk about Greg Heffley's missteps. Parents should talk about how they think people should be treated.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
shevez
adult
adult
diary of a wimpy kid
I think diary of a wimpy kid is the best book ever made
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
6Sweets
parent of and 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 year old
parent of and 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 year old
Why bother?
Why read it when there are so many other more positive books. The children who do read a lot of this series pick up quickly to the bad humor and unacceptable language. It is a quick read (no real challenge) and you come away with nothing positive. If you like bad humor, unloyal friendships, lacking of respect between the sexes - go ahead spend your time on it. Inappropriate middle school behaviors and poor humor are being marketed to young readers in this book.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
4femme
adult
adult
More Negative Messages to Fill Kids Minds
I am shocked every time I hear an adults say this is a good book. Often, because their child who didn't enjoy reading actually read this book. This reminds me of adults that think Spongebob is good children's programming. I had to close the book after 3 chapters & was shocked at how negative this book was in every aspect. It's full of teasing, bad attitudes, unfriendliness, disrespect...the list goes on. Why fill young minds with garbage when there are endless GREAT options available.......Good Literature!! My 2 oldest daughters are voracious readers so I know finding great books takes time on the parents end.....but it is worth it!!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Sel Gomez ...
kid, 11 years old
kid, 11 years old
SUCH A GREAT BOOK ROCK ON JEFF KINNEY
I LOVE THESE BOOKS SOO MUCH, LOVE THEM LOVE THEM LOVE THEM!!! I LAUGHED SOO MUCH AT WHERE ROWLEY ATE THE CHEESE, GREAT BOOK FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A GOOD LAUGH :)
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
theswankymodes
adult
adult
Great for the kid who doesn't like to read
My son is 8 1/2 and he reads only when required and even then, he uses a timer. He picked up this book and the sequel at the book fair yesterday and has been reading it at every spare moment, even on the bus ride home from school. Any book that can get my non-reader interested in reading is fantastic with me! It is flying off the shelves at the book fair and the kids who have already read it are flocking for the second book.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Jaskiran
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Cool kids 9 and over
I THE BOOK ITS THE COOLEST EVER
The book is very very funny i have read all the wimpy kids in 2 day wow cool
By
Jaskiran Kaur Mathadu
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Little movie freak
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
First book of the seris is pretty god
The first book of Diary of a wimpy kid series is pretty good. Everyone should read this
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
Swit Swat
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Hilarious book is funny beyond comparison!
This is the first book in the series. It is funny! It makes for a good read for tweens! There is some bullying in the book. There was an incedent having to do with a women in bikini magazine. It is very mild. There was a brief mentions of smoking too. If you are looking for a good laugh, the read this!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
pattygb
parent of 9 year old
parent of 9 year old
good book
This book is really good, but not for younger kids. Provided we read and discuss issues together, it's been pretty good. All his classmates have been reading it, so we felt inclined to check it out.
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
CSM Screen ...
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
perfect for kids
love it.it's the best
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
kid, 12 years old
Good book.
A good book. A flying success!
Flag as inappropriate
was this review useful?
|
|
An independent voice for families
Advice on the big issues
Already read it? What do you think?
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
