Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lessons for trading card fans in 20th madcap installment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: PARTYPOOPER, Greg decides that his mom's pie baking competition at church must be an elaborate setup. That's also the day of his birthday, and therefore it's bound to be a surprise party just for him. If only. His mom feels guilty for forgetting, so plans are made for a big backyard bash with family, friends, neighbors, a bounce house, a VIP tent, and, unbeknownst to Greg's mom, all the moneymaking schemes Greg can dream up to buy a trading card that could be worth 100k under its mystery foil packaging. How much can he charge for Kool-Aid? How about for toilet paper? What will next year's bash look like when he's stinking rich?
Is It Any Good?
Of course a wimpy kid like Greg can't have a normal happy birthday, but it's pretty fun for kids to see the chaos unfold, eventually. Lots of asides in the beginning of the book are the hallmark of the series, and yes most of them come back around in curious ways in the final raucous moments (hello again, pie competition ladies), but they make the story hard to get into. Part of the problem is Greg is the kind of partypooper who's pretty greedy for most of the story. All his scheming for money is funny, but it's also to such an excess that he's much less likeable. Parents who have trading card-obsessed kids, this book is a perfect way to start a conversation about the gimmies and how they can get in the way of quality friend time and realistic birthday party expectations and cloud your judgment overall. At least Greg learns a lesson about his "get rich quick" schemes, and kids will too, while laughing at a birthday party that no amount of cakes and rampaging animals can salvage.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about trading cards in Wimpy Kid: Partypooper. Greg only likes the idea that the MicroCreatures cards can make him money. Do they? What does he put back at the store to buy more cards? Was it worth it? Do you like collecting and trading cards of any kind? Do you do it for the money like Greg or for fun?
What is your ideal birthday party celebration? Is it expensive, or is it more about time with friends and family? Do you send out thank-you cards afterward or show gratitude in other ways? Why does Greg's mom think it's important?
Which is your favorite Wimpy Kid book? Why?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Jeff Kinney
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Baking , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harry N. Abrams
- Publication date : October 21, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 4, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate