By: Jeff Kinney Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Abrams Books for Young Readers Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 224 Publication Date: April 01, 2007 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Product Description: Boys don’t keep diaries—or do they?
The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to
It’s a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you’re ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.
In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.
Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, “Just don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things.
Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.
Very good start. Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams, 2007)
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books have become the biggest teen-lit sensation since Harry Potter, so I figured I needed to see what all the fuss was about and give them a try. I was quite pleasantly surprised, though the book is based on a webcomic and sometimes feels like it.
Greg Heffley is the wimpy kid of the title, and is also (not surprisingly) the narrator of this "novel in comics". He and his best friend Rowley are school outcasts. We go through Greg and Rowley's seventh grade year, seeing things through Greg's jaundiced eyes as he tries to climb the social ladder while not turning into a complete idiot.
Lots of other reviews have talked about how authentic Greg's voice is, and that's a strong part of what makes this so much fun, but no one zeroes in on Greg's finely-honed sense of self-deception. What makes him amusing is his sense of humor, but what makes hi compelling is the ways in which he lies to himself in order to justify some of his decisions when everyone around him can see his real motivation. That's the sort of little quirk that turns an average book into a good one. Quite enjoyable, and I'm really looking forward to the next two. *** ½
Life's tough These books are droll vignettes of daily existence. Greg's days consist principally of dodging the paper wads and water balloons life swats his way. I was weary myself by the time I finished the 1st book. The series was provided to my grandchild's 2nd grade class to read. My grandchild put forth persistent effort to read them and seemed to enjoy doing so. But, I am of the opinion children should be spared exposure to the the tedium and fatigue of adult life until they are---let's say, young adults.
My 10-year old grandson couldn't put it down. My grandson was so excited when he opened my gift of three Wimpy Kid books. This was the first one he picked to read. He took it with him in the car and never put it down. He loved the first one that he read which was the second last one published and could not believe his good fortune to receive all the rest of them.
One of the greats for young boys Until the Wimpy Kid books came along, the only books my son would read willingly were Captain Underpants books. This book (and its sequels) are hilarious, and will engage even the most reluctant reader. My daughter loves this series too - not just for boys! Very nicely done, with the realistic perspective of a young boy.
Great book - great price! I bought all 4 books from the WImpy Kid series for my soon to be 8 yr old! He loves them. Already read one whole book. And I got them just in time for him to read over the summer. I looked everywhere for these books and this was the best price....and they are hard cover, which are way more durable for the younger readers! Very cute cartoons, and it makes the little guys think they are reading huge chapter books, the point is to get them to read, and enjoy it. These books do just that.
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