Fiction, Fantasy, and YA: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Bibliography
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York: Amulet Books. ISBN 978-0810993136

Plot Summary
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID chronicles the trials and tribulations of Greg Heffley’s seventh grade year. Greg begins writing in his diary at the behest of his mother. Each page entry tells of another one of Greg’s misguided decisions to hopefully lead him to greater social standing among his classmates or to impress the girl. He manages to fail miserably each time. One of Greg’s most endearing qualities is his uncanny ability to not see beyond himself and to honesty believe he is always doing the right thing.

Critical Analysis
In this “novel of cartoons,” Greg is a character just about every boy, age 9-13, will identify with very quickly. Jeff Kinney adeptly addresses nearly every thought and fear of the middle school boy. Dealing with questions of popularity, girls, friendship, family, and embarrassing moments never to be forgotten. Greg tries so hard to improve his social status through such plots as strategically sitting himself in the middle of a bunch of girls to writing a comic strip for the school newspaper. Inevitably, each of his schemes backfires and leaves the reader laughing out loud.

Nothing Greg does is out of the realm of possibility for the boys (and girls) who pick this book up. The reader is hard pressed to put the book down wanting to know what Greg will possibly come up with next. The simple drawings with the comedic (mostly sarcastic) word balloons only add to the hilarity of the story.

Themes of growing up, friendship, the role of family, loyalty and honesty are peppered throughout without be overt. The reader cannot help but feel badly for Rowley, Greg’s supposed best friend. Greg is downright mean to Rowley and the reader is forced to think about Greg’s actions and the consequences. Greg is no better in the way he treats his family. Of course, Kinney relates these lessons in a light-hearted way, but the reader is still getting the message.

As long as there are pre-teen and tween boys out there figuring out there place in the world- at least in middle school- Jeff Kinney will have an audience. The book, with simple sentences and sparse pages accompanied by crude drawings, will lure in boys for generations to come.

Awards Won And Reviewed Excerpt(s)
ALA Notable Book
2008 & 2009 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards: Favorite Book
#1 New York Times Best Seller (three times)
Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “…a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons,"…”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious.”
BOOKLIST: “The simple line drawings perfectly capture archetypes of growing up, such as a preschool-age little brother, out-of-touch teachers, and an assortment of class nerds. Lots of fun throughout.”

Connections
*The after reading the book version, kids can watch the film version to compare print to media. Students could also discuss how the movie version differed from the one in their head.
*After reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid, middle schools could write their own middle school experience diary entries to be shared with incoming 5th graders.
Other books in the series:
Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES. ISBN 978-0810994737
Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW. ISBN 978-0810970687
Kinney, Jeff. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: Books 1-4. ISBN 978-1615579181
Other graphic novels:
Fisher, Jane Smith. WJHC: ON THE AIR. ISBN 0974423505
Holm, Jennifer. BABYMOUSE. ISBN 978-0375832291