Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Halloween-themed 11th book a fun way to discuss kid scares.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say the latest installment in the series offers a mix of fun and disappointment, with some readers appreciating the humor and Halloween theme, while others criticize the disjointed plot and lack of character development. Many fans enjoy the familiar antics of the main character, but the overall reception leans toward feeling that the book does not live up to the series' previous standards.
- humor
- disjointed plot
- character development
- Halloween theme
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOUBLE DOWN, Greg can't wait for Halloween. There's all that candy and a Halloween party at a classmate's house -- a party he's determined to get invited to. When Greg finds out the only kids invited are in the middle school band, he talks his parents into buying him a French horn. When he finds out the party is also only for woodwind players, he talks his friend Rowley -- a clarinet player -- into making a two-headed costume. In the meantime, Greg lets the spooky season get to him. Reading a bunch of scary books gives him nightmares, and he takes his brother Rodrick's tall tales way too seriously. Will a monster really reach for Greg's ankles on the basement stairs? Better send his little brother, Manny, down first just to be safe.
Is It Any Good?
With plenty of jokes about scary books, horror movies, and kid fears, this 11th installment of the best-selling series will find its best audience in your favorite easily scared kiddos. They're the ones who avoid the Goosebumps books at all costs, so they'll really appreciate the way author Jeff Kinney lampoons that series in Double Down. And they'll definitely laugh as Greg's mom takes over the once-cool annual Halloween party and turns the games into family-friendly fun. The moments with Rodrick may be a little tougher to handle -- Greg is definitely taken in by every tall tale his brother tells -- but there's a good lesson there: Big siblings know how to get to you. Don't be fooled so easily!
That's not the only lesson here. Parents who may cringe at all of Greg's lying will be happy there are plenty of consequences. And Greg's mom continues to want the best for her kids, insisting that Greg get out there and explore what he's good at. Greg, on the surface, seems to fail at everything, but his wild imagination still comes through. What other kid looks at a pile of gummy worms and thinks "Let's make a horror movie"? When Kinney sticks to his Halloween theme, the story feels fresh and holds together well. When he veers to strange flashbacks about piano lessons and speech class, it feels more like filler. But it's guaranteed this effort is enough to scare up more fans for Book 12.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about scares in Double Down. Greg started having nightmares after reading all those I.M. Spooky books. Do you get scared more easily after reading or watching scary things? Do you get nightmares like Greg?
At the beginning of the book, Greg imagines that he's being secretly followed by a TV crew. When does he like this supposed attention? When does he want his privacy? Would you like your life filmed all the time?
How does this Wimpy Kid book compare with others you've read? Which one is your favorite? Why?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Holidays , Animals , School ( Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Amulet Books
- Publication date : November 1, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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