Hard Luck

November 11, 2013
Is Greg Heffleyâs self-absorption catching up with him? Maybe so, since he spends much of the eighth book in Kinneyâs bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series bemoaning his lack of friends. Rowley, his former right-hand man/doormat, is occupied with his new girlfriend, and Greg is so desperate for companionship that he even tries befriending class weirdo Fregley. âI could mold him into exactly the kind of friend I wanted,â says Greg, whoâs basically looking for someone to lug his schoolbooks around and âscout ahead for dog poopâ on the sidewalk. Clashes with Gregâs extended family also figure in, as does Gregâs discovery of a Magic 8-Ball. Kinney once again gets in plenty of funny jabs at pop culture and everyday kid life, from poster board science fair projects (âDoes It Float?â) to Gregâs rediscovery of his flannel âBody Blankie,â which, while supremely comfortable, proves to be a liability during gym class. With Kinney sticking to the same school- and family-based brand of situational humor that made the previous books so popular, his legions of fans will likely devour this eighth offering as well. Ages 8â12. Agent: Sylvie Rabineau, RWSG Literary Agency.

February 1, 2014

Gr 3-7-Ramon de Ocampo again narrates the trials and tribulations of chronic navel-gazer Greg Heffley. The main theme in this series installment (Abrams, 2013) is the loss of a best friend due to that most dreaded event-a new girlfriend. Abigail is so controlling of everything Rowley does that Greg quickly decides he must find someone else to carry his school bag and protect him from dog poop. His quest proves mostly unsuccessful so he spends a lot of time at home, giving him plenty to complain about. Greg decides to let a Magic 8 Ball choose his actions, which, of course, leads to a number of difficult and amusing situations. De Ocampo does a wonderful job providing each character with very distinct voices and quirks. The pacing is excellent, and he has a knack for comic delivery. The books are starting to feel a bit the same, but fans will surely clamor for this recording.-B. Allison Gray, Goleta Library, Santa Barbara, CA

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