A Review of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney

Bibliography

Kinney, Jeff. 2007. Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York, NY. Amulet Books. ISBN 9780810982925.

Plot Summary

Greg Heffley chronicles his sixth-grade year as he and his best friend Rowley seek middle school immortality. Greg is determined to raise his popularity and improve his image in the new school year, but seems to stumble at every turn. Following failed attempts at joining the wrestling team, performing in the school play, and drawing cartoons for the school paper, a case of mistaken identity drives a rift into the boys’ friendship. Greg continues his quest alone and eventually an encounter with a moldy piece of cheese re-kindles Greg and Rowley’s friendship.

Critical Analysis

Kinney portrays Greg as a self-centered sixth-grader determined to make his mark on middle school. Greg blames all of his problems on others and believes everything is fine, as long as he isn’t the one in trouble. Essentially, he is an average 11-year-old boy. Accurately and hilariously written as Greg’s journal, complete with hand-printed style font and simple black and white drawings, the overall effect is a true glimpse into a year in the life of Greg Heffley. His adventures reflect the classic middle school experience and Greg is “every student.”

Kinney delights his audience with tales of Greg’s failed attempts at running for student government office and trying to “bulk up” for the wrestling team, all the while illustrating Greg’s egocentricity and lack of social skill. Greg may never achieve immortality, but he does lose a friend, earning the friendship back only when he finally accepts the blame for something he didn’t do – along with the dreaded “cheese touch.” In the end, though, Greg never does seem to realize his past mistakes. Hopefully, clever readers will recognize the error of Greg’s ways and note how not to make friends.

Review Excerpts

Starred Review from Publisher’s Weekly: Greg's mother forces him to keep a diary ("I know what it says on the cover, but when Mom went out to buy this thing I specifically told her to get one that didn't say 'diary' on it"), and in it he loosely recounts each day's events, interspersed with his comic illustrations. Kinney has a gift for believable preteen dialogue and narration (e.g., "Don't expect me to be all 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that"), and the illustrations serve as a hilarious counterpoint to Greg's often deadpan voice.

From School Library Journal: His attempts to prove his worthiness in the popularity race (he estimates he's currently ranked 52nd or 53rd) are constantly foiled by well-meaning parents, a younger and older brother, and nerdy friends. While Greg is not the most principled protagonist, it is his very obliviousness to his faults that makes him such an appealing hero.

Connections

Keep a journal for a week.

Choose one of Greg’s mis-adventures and share what you would have done differently.