Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series (6 books)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By: Jeff Kinney

Book 1: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
From beginning to end this book had me laughing hysterically. Greg Heffley reminds us all that it's okay to be an awkward middle school kid. As we all know, starting middle school isn't easy. You have new teachers to meet and new friends to make. You have to actually move around the school each class period. We all know that the homework amount will put us on overload once we reach middle school.

Greg feels like the outcast in his school. It seems that good things are happening for everyone else, even his best friend Rowley. After all, Greg loses his safety patrol spot, has his cartoon taken out of the newspaper, and even takes the blame for the dreaded _ _ _ _ _ _ incident. Little does Greg know, he is like everyone else. He feels awkward and has overprotective parents. He has an older brother who just loves to embarrass him. He even has a younger brother who seems to get his way no matter what he does. The first book in this series leaves me wondering if Greg will ever feel like he belongs!

*You will have to read the book to understand the _ _ _ _ _ _ incident :)

Book 2: Rodrick Rules 

The only thing Greg wants to do is have a normal year at school. For once, he is ready to start fresh and forget about everything from the past. He especially wants to make sure his "secret" from the summer is kept. The only person who knows is his brother Rodrick. Rodrick begins to hold this "secret" over Greg's head. Greg will do almost anything to make sure his secret doesn't get out.

To top that all off, he is becoming busier and busier. Trying to make his baby brother Manny happy, his parents happy, write a pen pal, practice for the talent show (since he broke Rowley's toe), and keep up with school work becomes a struggle for him. I found myself fighting the battle of prioritizing with Greg. Greg's character is absolutely hilarious in this sequel. I couldn't stop laughing at the hilarious ways this kid comes up with coping with everyday life. I have a feeling these books are just going to keep getting better. 

*You will have to read the book to know the 'secret' :)

Book 3: The Last Straw 

Well, Jeff Kinney has done it again! As if Greg's life couldn't get any more hectic or unfair, he is somewhat forced to grow up in this book. The story begins with Greg's Christmas. Once again, he receives nothing he likes. He watched Manny squeal in delight at all of the wonderful things he has been given. When Uncle Charlie gives Greg a laundry hoop, life begins to spiral out of control. Mom and Dad think it's time for Greg to grow up. Mom wants Greg to do his own laundry and dad wants to send him to military school. All thanks to a stupid Christmas present and Lenwood Heath. Greg does just about everything to prove to his father that he doesn't belong in military school.

And as always, the embarrassing moments continue to happen. Greg is still trying to impress Holly, while having to deal with sitting on Manny's chocolate candy on the way to church. The outcome of that happening was probably one of the funniest things I've read in a while.

And then there's Trista....

*You will have to read the book to find out about little Miss Trista!

Book 4: Dog Days 

We all know what it's like when school gets out. It's summertime and we all just want to have fun! That's exactly what Greg's main focus is in this book. He would rather stay inside and play video games all summer than go outside and do something productive. His mother on the other hand, has a different idea. She just wants to have a nice family vacation. After telling Greg and the kids they won't be able to afford to go to the beach this summer, Greg knows it's about to be a crazy summer. They try to go on one family vacation, but as soon as they get there they get rained out.

Luckily, Rowley's family takes Greg to the beach with them. When they arrive, Greg is disappointed. He realized the cabin they are staying in is far from the beach, has no television or video games, and he even has to sleep in the same bed as Rowley. Well, they end up coming back a few days early from vacation, but that's a different story for a different day.

Finally though, Greg realizes the lovely Heather Hills is the lifeguard at the town pool. While he hates going there, he loves being her sidekick and doing things for her. He refills her water glass when she needs it, stands next to her and helps discipline those who are not following pool rules, and even tries to take a picture with her. After realizing that maybe Heather Hills isn't the one for him, Greg begins to wonder if his life is ever going to take a turn for the better!

*You will have to read the book to find out why the Johnson Family (plus Greg) vacation was cut short!

Book 5: The Ugly Truth

We all feel different about change. Some of us like and embrace change. Others of us run from it and wish that things could always stay the same. Well in the final book in this series, Greg is finally learning that change is inevitable. He is learning that he is about to hit puberty, schoolwork is getting harder, boy/girl parties are happening, and he even has to do his own laundry! Even him and Rowley don't speak to each other for the longest time. Greg thinks he has it really rough.

Eventually things begin to get better, or so it seems. When his mother hires maid Isabella to clean their house, Greg thinks he is finally going to get out of a little bit of the 'change' going on in his household. That is until he learns she's been taking naps in his bed, eating their food, and it seems all she does is watch television. Eventually mom decides she's had enough of Isabella. The school even throws a lock-in party for the kids. Greg thinks there are going to be a lot of girls there so he gets excited. It turns out the lock-in was a total bust. Greg begins to wonder how much worse things are going to get, especially when his grandma gives him the "talk." It seems that Greg learns to embrace change by the end of the book and even starts to become friends with Rowley again. Overall, Greg decides his life really isn't that bad after all. Maybe change isn't so bad either.

*You will have to read the book to hear the famous "talk" from Gammie.

Book 6: Bonus: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book

I LOVED this book. It was very creative of Jeff Kinney to create a book where you could do your own thing. While it wasn't so much a book that you read, it was one you got to be involved in. I think kids would really enjoy this. You can write your own life-story in the book and there are even fun games to play. What kid wouldn't love that? We've heard all about Greg for five books, and now it's finally our turn!