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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

(2009, Fiction - Humor, Written by Jeff Kinney, Illustrated by Jeff Kinney)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fourth in the funny series is the mildest yet.

Themes in this book include:   family relationships, friendship, growing up

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    Greg is always looking for the easy way out, but it always backfires. For example: When he sneaks in a viewing of a forbidden movie, he ends regretting it because it scares him. He has a crush on a high school girl, and attempts to woo her by helping her with her job at the pool.

  • Role models:

    Greg's parents are great role models. They make rules such as no scary movies, and Greg's poor choices always have consequences. They spend time together and try to teach their children their values.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Greg's grandfather admits that he ran over the dog that Greg's father owned growing up, and that he lied and told his son the dog had moved to a butterfly farm. Greg watches a forbidden horror movie about a muddy hand that kills.

  • Sex:

    Greg has a mild crush on an older girl.

  • Language:

    Dog poo is used in context of mowing a lawn and avoiding the dog poo.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Parents need to know this is the mildest Wimpy Kid yet. Greg still has a little trouble with honesty and good intentions, and some of his actions are those of a younger child. He has a crush on a high school senior who is a lifeguard, and he follows her around and tries to help with her job, but there is no sign she notices him. Greg doesn't enjoy walking through the locker room at the pool because he doesn't like to see the men in the shower, but there are no descriptions of what he doesn't like. There is one comic of Greg's older brother dropping a dirty sock into Greg's mouth while he sleeps. The humor is slightly wicked, but there are sweet parts. The parents monitor Greg's TV viewing, his activities, his friends, and his reading.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about being bored, and the benefits of playing outside as opposed to staying inside. Are video games always bad, even if parents have approved them?
  • How could Greg's mother have made the book club more attractive?
  • Why does Greg treat his best friend Rowley so badly?
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Our Members Say

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See all 24 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    J.S
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    dogdaysJ.S

    I loved it. this book rocks.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Spex99
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism

    Perfect for tweens and mature kids

    I really like this book for its comedy. I don't think I would want my kid (if I had one) to read some of the book though

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Parent Reviewer
    JoeFuentes
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Excellent Follow up to the series!

    One more in the series and Tripp just LOVED it! He read it cove to cover in a day and then read it again. My only concern is the same that I have with many books and Movies - is that we are no longer teaching out kids to be GREAT, but just to be mediocre. It' s an over simplification, i know. But while I would include more take-away life lessons, I still liked the humor and how Tripp was all over it

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  4. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Phoeberainbow
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Good Book, funny, awful role models.

    I really do like this book, but let's face it! Greg Heffley is a terrible role model. He always takes the easy way out and never makes an effort to try. He is NOT a good person. His mom is nice, but too in his face. His brother Rodrick is horrible and there is TONS of stereotyping. This is like a guilty pleasure book.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    chicjessi
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Something Relaxing, Jeff Kinney

    I havent read the series yet,but alot of people had told me it was a good book. I'm going to read this one. I hope its true.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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