Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway
By Carrie R. Wheadon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Funny, milder 12th tale plumbs travel fears on Xmas holiday.
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What's the Story?
In DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE GETAWAY, Greg and his family are getting ready for Christmas and nothing's going right. They're behind on the decorating, and Greg's parents are arguing. That all turns around when a commercial for a paradise resort comes on TV. It's where Greg's parents had their honeymoon. At dinner that night, there's a decision: Instead of Christmas, the whole family's present will be a trip to that resort. But first they have to get there on Christmas Eve. Through hectic holiday traffic to the airport, through the security line, Greg makes it onto his very first plane flight. He stresses about everything from the safety video to the pilot leaving the cockpit to being seated between a couple with a baby. When Greg's family arrives at the resort, with the wrong luggage, the misadventures continue. And there's a spider in the bathroom. A big, hairy one.
Is It Any Good?
Kids heading off on their own getaways will enjoy tucking into their travel seats with this funny 12th edition, so long as they're not already afraid of flying. Or maybe if they're just slightly plane-phobic they'll laugh when Greg repeatedly harasses the flight attendants, asking questions such as "What good will a whistle do in a water landing in shark-infested waters?" Overall, The Getaway is milder and is most similar to the other family-travel story in the series, The Long Haul.
When Greg's on a family trip, there's a little less mischief and a little more time spent on everyone's expectations of what a trip should be. Mom is always trying to get the perfect family photo, and there's no such thing. Rodrick is off trying to be a cool teen, and there's no escaping his family. Dad is bent on showing off to everyone what a seasoned traveler he is, and of course it backfires. Drinking tap water was a really bad idea. Manny is a typical toddler. And Greg takes it all in, adding his wimpy attitude to the proceedings. There are a few seconds of the story where Greg realizes just how cool snorkeling is. But in Greg's world, that kind of bliss never lasts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Greg's travel fears in The Getaway. Are those things you worry about when traveling? What's the best way to calm those fears?
What do you think about the picture showing teens all on their phones at the resort (page 132)? Is that what you like to do on vacation?
What do you think of this 12th edition? Have you read the other Wimpy Kid books? Which is your favorite? Why?
Book Details
- Author: Jeff Kinney
- Illustrator: Jeff Kinney
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Bugs, Holidays, Ocean Creatures
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Amulet Books
- Publication date: November 7, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 19, 2018
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