Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid: Greg Heffley's journal. New York: Amulet Books.

Greg is one of three children. According to Greg, his little brother, Manny, never gets in trouble, even if he really deserves it, and his older brother Rodrick is always getting the best of Greg. Greg receives a journal from his mother to document his life. It is important to note this a journal and not a diary. In his journal, Greg details his daily activities, starting with the first day of middle school. Greg does not like middle school because he feels that he is awkward and small.Whether it's dealing with bullying, his friend Rowley, homework, or family life, Greg is always busy trying to figure out the angle that will make things come out best for him. Greg writes and illustrates the problems he faces as young middle school students. This is the first in the popular series.  

This book is great and so easy to relate to! I was reading it and could really imagine my own middle school experiences. I think this would be a great whole class read for 5th or 6th graders. They could easily relate to Greg's feelings and situations. While reading this book, I would have students keep their own journal to reflect on the book, but also their everyday lives. This book demonstrates a lot of themes including loss of innocence, respect, and the importance of family.