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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (by Jeff Kinney)

common sense media says

More funny antics mixed with bad and clueless behavior.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while there is none of the usual kind of objectionable content, every character, both adult and child, behaves badly, and often dishonestly. Humor centers around siblings tormenting each other and friends manipulating, lying to, and stealing from one another. Plus kids hand out nasty Valentine cards, parents lie to their children and steal their snacks, students avoid learning, and teachers behave unfairly and unreasonably.

Positive messages: Humor centers around siblings tormenting each other and friends
manipulating, lying to, and stealing from one another. Plus kids hand
out nasty Valentine cards, parents lie to their children and steal
their snacks, students avoid learning, and teachers behave unfairly and
unreasonably.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about why we find cluelessness and bad behavior funny. Why, for instance, is the situation depicted on the cover, which anyone would find completely humiliating if it happened to them, funny when it happens to someone else?
  • Why are these books so popular when none of the characters are anyone you would want to know in real life? Is it realistic?
  • Have things like this ever happened to you? Are there times when you have thought like Greg?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Like its predecessors, there's no real story here. Greg torments and is tormented by his siblings, schemes to avoid work and learning, tries vainly to impress a girl, manipulates his one friend, and is treated unfairly by parents and teachers.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
There are two ways to look at this story and, indeed, the whole series. One is that it's a humorous, short, easy-to-read book that appeals to reluctant readers, and there's no doubt that all of that is true. It's the illustrations that make it particularly funny -- simple b&w cartoons that are so brilliantly done that they convey both the characters as well as Greg the narrator's attitude towards them, and yet somehow still remain believable as a kid's drawings. Along with that comes text that always ensures that the reader knows more than Greg and can have the uh-oh pleasure of anticipating what is going to go wrong.

The other way to look at it is that the story is basically The Three Stooges without the nasty violence, or perhaps an extended version of America's Funniest Home Videos. Every single character, major or minor, adult or child (including, especially, the narrator, Greg), is pretty clueless, often devious and mean as well, and much of the humor derives from watching them get humiliated. There's no real plot, no character growth, no lessons, just the dubious pleasure of feeling superior to these characters. So if your kids like it, fine; it probably does no harm. But as to the argument that we need books like this to entice reluctant readers to read, one can hope that J. K. Rowling has forever dispelled that notion.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Jeff Kinney
Illustrator: Jeff Kinney
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication date: January 13, 2009
Number of pages: 224
Hardcover price: $12.95
Read Aloud: 8
Read Alone: 9

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9

Most useful reviews by all members

tcbueti
educator and parent of and 10 , 12 , 14 year old
 
Lighten Up!
I haven't read this one yet, but I've read others, and as a children's librarian and mom, I must say that this series has reached a level of reader that often couldn't (or wouldn't) tackle Harry Potter, or who weren't into fantasy. Greg, the main character, is so self-centered and clueless that his first-person narration is hilarious. Kids are smart enough to realize that he is not a role model. They can also appreciate exxageration. ALL the things that happen--unfair teachers, sneaky parents--may not realistically happen to someone, but that's why this is FICTION. As a parent, you might want to discuss some of the issues in the "Parents need to know..." section, but don't spoil your kids' enjoyment of these books by making a moral lesson out of them. They're FUNNY! Read one and try not to laugh. Aso, as mentioned, the pictures are brilliant, and the diary-and-cartoon format has already inspired lots of kids to try their hands at authorship. At a time when we are complaining that there aren't enough boys reading, and too many kids are addicted to video games, let's be glad there are some books they are really excited to read. And get ready to give them another book when they're done. I think Common Sense Media does a great job of reviewing kids media, but they may have missed how excited kids are about these books!

 
there is a quick reference in the book to Spin the Bottle.

maybeImStupid
teen, 14 years old
 
there's a little "Spin The Bottle" game

coolguy92
kid, 9 years old
 
Funniest book I have ever read
This book is awesome! One of the funniest parts of the book was when Greg's mom banned bad words in the house (all of them are completely censored) and Greg and Rodrick came up with code words for the banned words. (Example: Spooky Stork!) Sometimes Greg forgets to switch back when he gets to school and ends up calling someone a Raspberry Plastic Tickle Bear. XD

cheesydude
kid, 12 years old
 
YEAH!!!!!!
I LOVE THESE BOOOOOOOOOKS!!!! THEY ARE SOOOOO FUNNY AND MY SISTER READS THEM TOOO!!! THEY'RE JUST GREAT BOOKS!!!

Emilie-c1219
teen, 17 years old
 
Love it

lassi
kid, 11 years old
 
such language aint good for younger children
but rodrick tell such language in front his small brother .and he cant be a better role model.

chimera
kid, 12 years old
 
even though it could mildly offend christians, its good
its pretty good. but be warned, you could be offended if your a christian because in one part rodrick tries to skip church. also, greg is a bad role model (as usual)

CupcakeSweetie7534
kid, 13 years old
 
My Favorite Book of The Series
If your child is used to books that don't have small bad words like "stupid", "moron","idiot", and of course "wimp", this would not be a good book to read head on.

3dvldgs
teen, 15 years old
 
Hated It
I absolutely hated it. I didn't exactly read it, but my little sister did and I flipped through. I hated how the book was about an under achiever and how everyone was... mean and bad. I don't think that anyone should read books that include that stuff; especially little kids.

Ben Colby
teen, 18 years old
 
I think what Matt Berman said is the opposite of what I think the book is. I think that although the book has lying in it you can’t forget this is a children’s book after all. And it is not about “dishonesty” or “behaving badly” it is about what Greg goes through during his life. I think that this book is totally appropriate for children.

Tell Everyone
kid, 7 years old
 
last straw
cool.

laughla
teen, 14 years old
 
hate it it is stupid

Jairus Goode
teen, 13 years old
 
teens
It was alright but it is the opposite of how a good person would act.

ironkid21
kid, 13 years old
 
I love this!!! This is the best in the series so far!!!

cjhurley92364
teen, 14 years old
 
Wimpy Kid
after reading this book, i believe i saw a drawing of a large genital part. this book would've scared a 10 year old, emotionally

lalaprettygurl123
teen, 15 years old
 
<3
i think its a good book and it safe for kids that are 9yrs old to read and up!

Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
 
Alot more Funnier!
Just Read it!

BlueCastle
kid, 10 years old
 
FUNNY
I love this book.It has references to cussing.so FUNNY

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age