DIARY OF A WIMPY KID by Jeff Kinney

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kinney, Jeff. 2007. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York, NY: Amulet Books. ISBN 9780810993136.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Jeff Kinney brings us an intriguing look into the mind of a middle school student named Greg Heffley. Greg never wanted a diary and he only writes in it to pass the time. He jots down his thoughts and ideas as he tries to make sense of his environment and life. We experience his adventures throughout his first year in middle school, which can sometimes be funny, scary, and life changing. He writes about things that have crossed all our minds, but dismiss for various reasons. This compelling and comical book tells the truth about growing up in middle school.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Adolescents and adults alike can enjoy this book for its humor and candid view on life. Written in a journal format, Kinney masterfully involves the reader in a journey of a teenage mind. The typefont used looks like easy to read handwriting. He includes small illustrations scattered on each page, breaking up the text nicely and helping the reader visualize what is in the character’s mind. These drawings are typical of what a child his age might do in a journal of this type. Instead of using dates, which would quickly age the book, he just uses days of the week and special events, such as Halloween and Christmas. This will allow readers enjoy this work for years without the story feeling old or out of date.
The story itself is comical; stating ideas that I have thought about. For instance, he was talking about a red wool sweater that his mom gave to the “Giving Tree Guy” for Christmas. He stated, “I’m sure our Giving Tree guy will throw his sweater in the trash, along with the ten cans of yams we sent his way during the Thanksgiving Food Drive.” The voice that Kinney uses is typical of that of a young adolescent trying to make sense of things around him.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY starred review: “Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as 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.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Children may want to keep a journal of their own for a specific period of time.
*Booktalk about the children’s favorite part or adventure that Greg finds himself in.
*Follow the continuing adventures of Greg and his friends and family in later versions of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
*Look for these other related stories
Griffiths, Andy. DAY MY BUTT WENT PSYCHO. ISBN 0439424690
Benton, Jim. LETS PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED (DEAR DUMB DIARY). ISBN 0439629047
Trueit, Trudi. NO GIRLS ALLOWED (DOGS OK) (SECRETS OF A LAB RAT). ISBN 1416961119