Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A Novel in Cartoons

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: A Novel in Cartoons. New York: Amulet Books

Plot Description: Greg Heffley has just entered middle school. He is undersized for his age and is dealing with many of the issues that students face at this age. This book details one year of his life through diary entries. He is trying to be popular and fit in and still have fun with his friend Rowley at the same time. Throughout the book Rowley and Greg go through some friendship issues, but are able to work everything out in the end.

Genre: Humorous, Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book is meant for grades 3-7.

Series Information/Similiar Books: This is the first book in a series of four with the fifth book set to come out on 11/9/10. If you found this book to be interesting check out others in the series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth (Nov 2010).

Personal Thought: The journal layout of this book and the illustrations throughout make it fun to read. It also deals with many of the issues faced by middle school students.

Subject/Themes: Adolescent Issues, Friendship

Awards: Nominated for the Quill Awards in 2007, Won the Original Voices Award in 2007, Won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award in 2009, Nominated for the Garden State Children's Book Awards in 2010.

Character Description: Greg Heffley is the main character in the book who feels unappreciated at home and school. He is smaller than most of his classmates and continues to try to fit in and be popular at school

Rowley is Greg’s best friend. At the beginning of the book Greg considers him to be nerdy but by the end he is trying to be like him due to his increased popularity. Rowley is comfortable with himself and throughout the book he is able to teach Greg a few things through his actions.

Annotation: Greg Heffley is a middle school student who desperately wants to fit in and be popular. He is in a new school that is full of kids that are bigger and taller than he is. Follow him through the adventures in his first year of middle school to find out if his wish comes true.