Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
18th book brings on jabs at book bans, underfunded schools.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: NO BRAINER, Greg wishes he could take his brain out of his head, leave it at school for the day, and go out and have fun. Instead, he and his brain are stuck in a school with bad test scores and so little funding there's talk that it may close. It doesn't help that a mom complained about everyone's favorite book series, Commando Crocodile, because the crocodile wasn't wearing pants. Now what will they read for fun? When a principal gets creative by subletting a bunch of classrooms and leasing ad space all over the school, there's hope they may pull through -- that is, until it's standardized test time again.
Is It Any Good?
While this 18th outing isn't as madcap kid-centered funny as other Wimpy Kids, it offers some well-placed jabs at book bans and underfunded schools. OK, neither sounds funny to parents, and most parents of public school kids these days have nightmares about what goes on at Greg's school. Yes, book bans are rampant and schools are always asking for money for basics you think every school should have. (You're out of Kleenex? It's only October. Come on.) But Jeff Kinney draws out the laughs for these tough topics, most of the time. For the book bans, a mom complains about a crocodile not wearing pants, so the librarian tries to paint them in, then goes to town painting all the books with animals for good measure. To make up for lack of funding, ads pop up all over the school: Flat earthers pay for space in a science textbook. And when there's a chance all the kids have to change schools, everyone fights over the posh school with a massage therapist and a chef. There are a few tangents that are less engaging, like when the cafeteria gets too creative with tofu and fudge, and the story never hits a true high note of hilarity, but there's a lot here for budding satirists to digest. Kids more than anyone can smell unfairness from miles away, and what's less fair in their academic lives than getting stuck in an underfunded school and losing their freedom to read?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the books banned in Diary of Wimpy Kid: No Brainer. What does the librarian do when a parent complains? What do they end up with in their library instead? Has there ever been a discussion at your school about banning books?
When the school paper is sponsored by a snack company, Greg says he can't tell what's an advertisement and what's reporting. Are there times you find it's hard to tell the difference? What's wrong with advertisers taking over news specifically vs. ads in textbooks or on drinking fountains?
Greg's school is in trouble and one of the schools near him offers a better experience -- better food, even massages! How would you rate your own school? Are you ever jealous of kids at other schools like Greg is?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Adventures , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Amulet Books
- Publication date : October 24, 2023
- 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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