The Ugly Truth

November 8, 2010
"See, when you're a little kid, nobody ever warns you that you've got an expiration date. One day you're hot stuff and the next day you're a dirt sandwich," Greg Heffley tells readers partway into this fifth installment of Kinney's bestselling Wimpy Kid series. There's a noticeable feeling of transition in this outing as Greg negotiates a sour patch with longtime best friend Rowley, his mother's decision to go back to school, the imminence of puberty (and dreaded accompanying discussions at home and at school), and the fact that one can't stay a child forever—despite evidence to the contrary provided by Greg's Uncle Gary, who's embarking on his fourth marriage. Although there is perhaps less of a central focus in this book than in some of its predecessors, the sense that "all good things must come to an end" emerges, something that inevitably will be true of the series itself at some point. But Kinney hasn't lost his touch for spinning universal details of middle-school life into comic gold—he doesn't have to worry about becoming a dirt sandwich anytime soon. Ages 8–12.

May 1, 2011
Gr 3–6—-he fifth book (Amulet Books, 2010) in Laura Oliver's popular series is just as hilarious and entertaining as its predecessors. Greg Heffly is seeking a replacement for his best friend, Rowley, as he faces the new school year. It's a daunting task trying to select a "new" best friend. But that's not all. Greg also faces issues relating to bathroom etiquette, acne, his mother returning to school, the family gathering at Grandma's for Uncle Gary's wedding, Advance Health class (sex education), girls, brotherly quandaries, and dealing with friends on Facebook. Ramon de Ocampo does an outstanding job of adding sarcasm and humor to the reading. Have the print version handy so listeners can peruse the cartoon illustrations which enrich the story.—"Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC"

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