BOOKS

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (2007)

Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons," adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama. 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. The hero's utter obliviousness to his friends and family becomes a running joke. For instance, on Halloween, Greg and his best friend, Rowley, take refuge from some high school boys at Greg's grandmother's house; they taunt the bullies, who then T.P. her house. Greg's journal entry reads, "I do feel a little bad, because it looked like it was gonna take a long time to clean up. But on the bright side, Gramma is retired, so she probably didn't have anything planned for today anyway." Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life, from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the trauma of a "wrestling unit" in gym class. His print debut should keep readers in stitches, eagerly anticipating Greg's further adventures.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 2 : RODRICK RULES (2008)

Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved. 

Whatever you do, don't ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn't want to talk about it. 

As Greg enters the new school year, he's eager to put the past three months behind him . . . and one event in particular. 

Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of getting out . . . especially when a diary is involved. 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg's attempts to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 3 : THE LAST STRAW (2009)

The third book in this genre-busting series is certain to enlarge Kinney's presence on the bestseller lists, where the previous titles have taken up residence for the past two years. Kinney's spot-on humor and winning formula of deadpan text set against cartoons are back in full force. This time, Greg starts off on New Year's Day (he resolves to "help other people improve," telling his mother, "I think you should work on chewing your potato chips more quietly") and ends with summer vacation. As he fends off his father's attempts to make him more of a man (the threat of military school looms), Greg's hapless adventures include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings ("Dear James, You smell"), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and single-handedly wrecking his soccer team's perfect season. Kinney allows himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the "racket" children's book authors have going. "All you have to do is make up a character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a lesson at the end of the book." Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the exception proving that rule.

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 4 : DOG DAYS (2009)

It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having 
fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video 
games with the shades drawn.
 
Greg, a self-confessed “indoor 
person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities 
and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer .
. . one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.”
 
Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?   

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 5 : THE UGLY TRUTH (2010)

Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be?

Greg suddenly finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, 
increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with 
getting older—all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg
make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the “ugly truth”?

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 6 : CABIN FEVER (2011)

It is the Christmas holiday season, and Greg is becoming a nervous wreck due to the constant pressure to behave and act sensible for the entire month of December being put on him by his parents. He is also nervous because Santa can "see him when he's sleeping and know when he's awake" and is doubtful if he will make it onto the naughty or nice list. To make matters worse, Greg's mother stumbles upon "Santa's Scout", a magical elf toy that observes the behavior of children and then reports back to Santa at the North Pole, which causes Greg to become even more anxious around Santa's scout which is placed in the kitchen.