Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Greg faces puberty's horrors in funny fifth installment.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this fifth book in the incredibly popular Wimpy Kid series features the same clueless, often irresponsible Wimpy Kid, but now he's about to go through puberty. Expect a few more references to the Big Change, but no real details beyond talk of b.o. and body hair -- the boys leave health class confused by terms like "zygote." There are a few cartoon shots of bare butts, but they're very cartoony.

  • For kids nearing puberty, this could be a good starting point for talking about what they're going through in a humorous way. Also, at one point Greg talks about the fact that his brother Rodrick didn't get a job because he posted less-than-professional pictures of himself online. Could provide a good entry point into Common Sense Media's Internet Safety Advice.
  • Shows how facing growing up and puberty aren't easy for anyone -- wimpy or not. There's added responsibility, even more confusing dynamics with friends, pep talks from well-meaning relatives, and no more brownie points for simply being an adorable kid. All these changes are handled in Greg's usual clueless and often irresponsible way, but it still gives kids plenty to think about -- and laugh about -- around their own experiences. There's more potty humor in this book, especially around boys and peeing.
  • Greg is pretty irresponsible most of the time -- he lets his neighbor's plants die when he forgets to water them and even leaves his cousin on the side of the road with a flat tire when he walks home and forgets to tell anyone. But he's not mean-spirited, and readers learn the lessons he should be learning but never does. Greg's parents are still positive influences on him; his mom goes back to school, so his dad and the kids take on extra chores to help her reach her goal.
  • Not applicable.
  • It's puberty time for Greg. There's talk of health class permission slips and kids being confused in a class about zygotes, but all details are glossed over except a few mentions (and pictures) of body hair growth and body odor. There's one pretty tame cartoon of a boy who stands at the urinal with his pants all the way down and another of a bare butt getting a spanking. And there's one close-up picture of someone's elbow that teachers misconstrue as a "posterior." Greg hopes to play spin the bottle with girls at a party that he never gets to go to.
  • Kids look up "posterior" when the teachers call it that and laugh at all the words in the dictionary for "butt."
  • Not applicable.
  • One cartoon of Greg's grandpa sneaking a smoke in the bathroom; Greg says, "Believe me, I don't need some teacher to tell ME it's not cool to smoke. My grandfather convinced me of that last year on Thanksgiving." Wine glasses are shown at a wedding.

What's the story?

Wimpy Kid Greg and Rowley become ex-best friends at a very inconvenient time -- right when Greg is forced to face puberty alone. There's talk of puberty everywhere -- in health class, in Greg's mom's column (how embarrassing!), and even with great-grandma, who gives a secret lecture to everyone in the family when they reach that special age. Greg also notices that way more is expected of him now. His mom has gone back to school, so he's got more chores, and dad's helping with homework, which is no help at all. But there are some perks to getting older, like an all-night, co-ed lock-in at school -- that is, until the teachers take away everyone's electronic gadgets. Not that!


Is it any good?

 

Here we are at number five already! No, the series isn't as fresh and irreverent as it used to be, but there's always something to laugh about when it comes to the awkwardness of middle school -- especially when you throw in hitting puberty. Most of the tales strewn together here are ones kids can relate to or are gearing up to face. Occasionally Kinney misses the mark, though, like when he talks about Greg's uncle's fifth wedding. But overall, kids will be laughing as usual.  Seeing Greg decked out in head gear and Rowley showing off his giant zit is pretty funny stuff.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the popularity of the series. Why do you think kids like it? Do kids find it's easy to laugh at Greg's antics? Do you think he'll ever become more responsible? Would the stories be as funny?

  • Kids who have seen the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie may want to compare and contrast it with the books. Did the movie do a good job of capturing Greg's character -- and his antics? Are movies usually as good as the original book?


This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
Teen, 15 years old
December 24, 2010
 

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Kid, 13 years old
April 21, 2011
 
The Ugly Truth

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Kid, 12 years old
November 28, 2010
 
i havent read it but i hope it will be good

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Kid, 12 years old
May 15, 2011
 
OK BOOK1
It is very good. But I like Rodric rules better.

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Kid, 9 years old
February 24, 2011
 
diary of a wimpy kid the ugly truth
I love it!ive read but im still in the middle of dog days

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Kid, 12 years old
February 21, 2011
 
GREAT
Heres my reveiw sex....... middle school love, and puperty. Language............ not to be worried about at all. violence................. slap sticky goofy violence is not really an issue. There are some things where Greg dosn't want to go outside and he would wrather stay in and play video games and watch tv, but his parents always are strict in many ways such as making him go outside. This is all about the ugly truth, such as getting older and having puperty, it really is an ugly truth! Enjoy the book!!!!

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Kid, 11 years old
May 29, 2011
 
really good and dont say that there is any sexual content
i am reading it and i am loving it and i laughed at some parts

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Teen, 16 years old
December 21, 2010
 
I reallly enjoyed this book. I really like the book series.

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Kid, 10 years old
December 3, 2010
 

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This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
Author:Jeff Kinney
Illustrator:Jeff Kinney
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Humor
Publisher:Amulet Books
Publication date:November 9, 2010
Number of pages:224
Hardcover price:$13.95
Publisher's recommended age(s):9 - 12

This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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