Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
21st series installment tackles bullying but keeps it light.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: FIGHT OR FLIGHT, Greg knows he's a big chicken when it comes to facing the school bullies and hatches plans of escape for every situation. He camps out by the emergency exit in the lunch room and maps his route home from school carefully—he knows where all the doorbell cameras are. He even keeps careful notes in a binder about each bully, their preferred forms of attack, known hangouts, weaknesses, and sidekicks. But he can't avoid trouble any longer when his notes end up in the hands of the vice principal. How soon will the bullies figure out he's the biggest snitch in school?
Is It Any Good?
School bullying is a tough topic and this wildly popular graphic novel series manages to keep things light and mostly fun, for better or worse. Should readers be concerned that Greg is running from bullies all day, every day? That he knows where all the doorbell cameras are in his neighborhood as a precaution? It probably depends on their own experience with unpleasant classmates. If middle schoolers—particularly middle school boys this book focuses on exclusively—face the same type of low-level threats, it may feel cathartic to laugh. And they may learn some good coping strategies from Greg in the process. Yes, join all the school groups you can. Find your tribe. If students have faced more serious issues, however, any of the 20 previous Wimpy Kid books may be a more enjoyable read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the boy perspective in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight. Did you notice that there were no girl bullies in this book? Do girls experience bullying in different ways than boys? What books have you read focus on the girl's perspective?
How is Greg's curiosity about the bullies helpful? What does he learn? How does it apply it?
The bullying incidents in this book aren't serious and deescalate quickly. In real life they can get dangerous and do real damage to kids. When is the time to tell a trusted adult what's going on?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Adventures , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Amulet Books
- Publication date : October 20, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 27, 2026
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