Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Starred review from March 5, 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. Ages 8-13.

April 1, 2007
Gr 5-8-Greg Heffley has actually been on the scene for more than two years. Created by an online game developer, he has starred in a Web book of the same name on www.funbrain.com since May 2004. This print version is just as engaging. Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious. Greg is a conflicted soul: he wants to do the right thing, but the constant quest for status and girls seems to undermine his every effort. 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. Kinney's background as a cartoonist is apparent in this hybrid book that falls somewhere between traditional prose and graphic novel. It offers some of the same adventures as the Web book, but there are enough new subplots to entertain Funbrain followers. This version is more pared down, and the pace moves quickly. The first of three installments, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers, but more experienced readers will also find much to enjoy and relate to in one seventh grader's view of the everyday trials and tribulations of middle school."Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Leroy - Greg Heffley- Middle Schooler, Good Friend, Unlucky Kid and...DIARY KEEPER!? This is not a Diary, this is a Journal: Greg Heffley is your ordinary teenage boy. He has a good friend. He has good grades. An annoying little brother, and an even more annoying older brother. However, his life gets turned upside down when he gets taken from his easy life in Elementary School, and is thrust into the hustle and bustle of Middle School. Not only does he have to worry about school, but also keeping the one thing he has- a secret. Greg Heffley has a Diary. This book is his Diary, which he is trusting you with, so as to keep his secrets, well...secrets. After entering Middle School, not only does he find that 99% of every guy there is taller than him and doesn't practice basic hygiene, but also that 99% of the school has started to take a liking to his best friend Rowley. However, after trying to take advantage of his buddy's popularity, a wild and crazy adventure unfolds. Read on, as Greg tries to maintain his "cool kid" mentality, but utterly fails. (And now, a short message from Leroy: Hey guys! Just saying, this book is freaking sick, but don't just take my word for it. Read it for yourself! And as always- Keep on READING! - Leo)