Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny stuff for any kid who's ever been awful at a sport.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: BIG SHOT, Greg catches Olympic fever but can't find a sport he'd be great at. It doesn't' stop him from dreaming about all his fabulous endorsement deals. On field day, the prize for the winners is a day off from school. Greg's class is determined to win, but they don't stand a chance when the janitors and lunch ladies decide to participate. Then Greg's mom talks him into trying out for a basketball team. He's sure he won't make it, so he's more than surprised when he does. It turns out they formed a whole new team with the kids who were going to get cut. Greg's team gets demolished every game, but he doesn't quit. When Greg thinks his losing season is over, his utter relief is short-lived -- his mom has a not-so-wonderful surprise for him.
Is It Any Good?
Kids who've ever had a terrible season on a terrible sports team, this 16th installment in the Wimpy Kid franchise is for you. Laugh out your frustration along with poor Greg, who can't play basketball for all the world. There's even some trying there, to appease his mom who wants to relive her middle school sports glory days and is pretty transparent about it. Sure, Greg gets up to some of his usual lazy antics, but the amazing thing is that he sticks it out through the whole excruciating season. With his usual downtrodden humor, he observes it all: the massive point spreads, the rivalry fights (players and parents!), the coach pep talks about pride (better than they deserved), and the ball that lands in the urinal during a game -- why does the bathroom door open right onto the basketball court?
Just when you think Greg's miserable season is over, his mom has other ideas: a second-chance tournament for losing teams. Something author Jeff Kinney does very well is set a scene for disaster, and then pile one disaster on top of another to build his climactic action into a state of complete chaos. The tournament takes place in an abandoned prison, for starters. It all goes hilariously wrong from there.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about underdog stories and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot. Why does Greg make his teammates sign a waiver? What's wrong with Greg's underdog tale -- why wouldn't it work? What are the best sports underdog tales you've read or seen on screen?
What does Greg learn when his mom takes him grocery shopping? Are you ever fooled into thinking your favorite foods are healthy? What other sneaky ways do advertisers -- of food, toys, games, whatever -- try to persuade us to purchase their products?
How many Wimpy Kid books have you read? Do you have a favorite? What makes it your favorite?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harry N. Abrams
- Publication date : October 26, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 15, 2025
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