Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wacky family dynamics and potty humor in 19th Wimpy Kid.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: HOT MESS, all Greg's Gramma wants for her birthday is a picture of her five daughters and their families on Ruttyneck Island, the place they used to vacation when they were young. But Gramma doesn't want to come along, of course. So everyone sets out without her and even stays in the same small vacation house, 13 people to one bathroom and tiny kitchen. They hit the beach, cook spaghetti dinners, play board games, and visit the historic lighthouse together. Sounds like the perfect family vacation, right? But this is Greg's family we're talking about. Things go from "seagulls stole my sandwich" to "let's talk about this down at the police station" in a real hurry.
Is It Any Good?
This nineteenth installment of the ultra-popular series is for all the kids who've been on wacky vacations and misadventures with their extended families. Author Jeff Kinney checks all the quirky-aunt boxes: the new age-y one, the pet-obsessed one, the one who lets her kids run wild, and the one who never lets go of a grudge. The motley crew must cohabitate in a tiny beach house and, of course, because this is Wimpy Kid humor, share a gross bathroom. Well, it's not gross until Greg gets his turn and must swab himself dry with toilet paper. Readers get plenty of that kind of humor, but also curious family dynamics. The less lowbrow laughs come from reminders of the family hierarchy. Gramma—who's smart enough to stay home—is the matriarch simply because she makes the best meatballs. Greg's mom Susan wants to succeed her someday, and proves it with her skills making a much-needed vacation house shower schedule. Greg thinks his family is pretty boring but is proven otherwise when secrets start spilling out, about Gramma and even about his mom's old boyfriend. While there are too many asides for things like ice-cream reviews and anteaters, Hot Mess always returns to this fun mess of a family, revealing more silly surprises until the end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about this quote from Greg in Hot Mess: "A family vacation is like a recipe, and some ingredients just don't mix." Yes, plenty goes wrong on the trip, but what goes right? How does this family show teamwork when it matters?
Dazzle is Greg's aunt's dog and a social media sensation. How does Greg feel about the dog's fame? How does his aunt feel about it? Do you know stories about real social media stars that don't want fame anymore?
Does your family get along on family trips? Who usually decides on the itinerary? And which family member is in charge of the food?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Cooking , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Pirates
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Amulet Books
- Publication date : October 22, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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