|
Diary of a Wimpy Kid | 
| Author: Jeff Kinney
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy Used: $5.17
You Save: $7.78 (60%)
New (50) Used (27) Collectible (1) from $5.17
Rating:  147 reviews
Sales Rank: 454
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0810993139
EAN: 9780810993136
ASIN: 0810993139
Publication Date: April 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Slightly below "like new." Cover/pages clean. Binding is secure. Minor edge wear. Nice copy! Buy with confidence - 100% Positive Feedback Rating!
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Boys dont keep diariesor do they?
The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to
Its a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before youre ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.
In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowleys star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friends newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.
Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, Just dont expect me to be all Dear Diary this and Dear Diary that. Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he wont do and what he actually does are two very different things.
Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 142 more reviews...
 Diary of a Wimpy Kid August 5, 2008
Jordan K. Henrichs (Cedar Falls, IA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If there was an "IT" book of 2008 in the school where I teach 5th grade, forget about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; it had to be Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Book orders could not send copies fast enough. Book stores could not restock their shelves quickly enough. Everywhere I turned I was met by a student with his or her nose buried in its pages. So naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Greg Heffley is your everyday, run-of-the-mill, middle school "wimp". Sure, someday he's going to amount to something big, but for now, he's "stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons." Greg's journal, not "diary", but "journal", takes us through the hilarious events that make up Greg's days in his first year of middle school. Lucky for us, whether it's avoiding his older brother Rodrick, or abusing his best friend Rowley, Greg's days are never short on laughs.
I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard when reading a book. There are laughs on every page, literally. Greg's mudslinging student council posters, Greg and Rowley's failed attempt at a haunted house, the students' wrestling unit in PE ("muscles are gross"), and Christmas time at the Heffley home. Situations like these that Greg finds himself in are comical enough, but it's his voice and commentary that sets this book apart. Jeff Kinney has cleverly captured the inner workings of a middle school student, and because of this book's popularity, it's obvious that students connect with Greg.
However, that's also what scares me about this book. I'm afraid that Kinney is too smart for his own good and without realizing it, has created a lovable character that advocates laziness and using your best friend for his family's money and his video games. Beneath all the laughs, Greg is a deceitful, selfish, jerk of a boy and the fact that students relate to him so easily doesn't sit well with me. I admit, I laughed hysterically at Kinney's tongue-in-cheek irony, but I'm an adult. I can tell the difference between Greg the character being serious and Jeff the author being sarcastic. I'm not so sure all the kids reading this will be able to.
I'm torn though. This book is funny and relevant and I guess if children are excited about reading it, then who am I to complain. Any time children WANT to read, it's a good thing, and I commend Kinney for this. He's discovered a great medium to tell his stories. The pictures only add to the humor and the journal format makes for an easy read. I think most of my students would be able to distinguish between Greg's selfish behavior and acceptable, respectful behavior, and if they don't, eh . . . kids will be kids. Either way, I have a feeling that Kinney is going to be around for a while. I may be better off enjoying the laughs.
Great! August 4, 2008
Robert Pennachio (Staten Island, NY)
My son and I really enjoyed this book. The humor and design of the book were very original!
The Cheese Touch July 28, 2008
Jill Vanderwood (Utah)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
Yes, this is a very funny book. Greg is the middle child and in middle school. He is also in the middle of everything. If there is a problem at home or at school, you can bet he has been there. What does it take to be popular with girls? It seems like the rules have changed. Even his dorky friend Rowley is more popular than Greg, and he's not even trying.
When Greg tries to be the class cartoonist, it backfires and all of his cartoons are edited by the teacher. When Rowley becomes the class cartoonist, he has taken the ideas that he worked on with Greg, and won't even give Greg any credit. When Greg decides to be the class clown, he knows he can pull it off on the day when they have a substitute. Wouldn't you know it; the substitute is none other than Greg's mom! Who turns out to be the class clown? Rowley, of course.
On the day he substitutes for Rowley on the safety patrol, he chases the kindergarteners with worms. Can Greg help it if Rowley gets kicked off the safety patrol, just because Greg was wearing Rowley's coat, and the neighbors thought it was Rowley who tormented the kindergarteners?
As the mother of a boy, I enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This book brings back memories of those awkward years of middle school. This book looks like a diary, with simple drawings on every page. It is easy to read. Middle school boys will want to read and laugh along with Greg's antics.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
She's Reading! July 26, 2008
Linda Bee (Philly)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
My daughter is actually reading. She's laughing. She's enjoying herself. I can almost never get my 12 year old to read but this is such an amusing book she's actually getting to know how great it can be to have a wonderful book. We'll be getting the others in the series too.
Hilarious! Great book for school age boys. July 22, 2008
Road Runner (Arlington Heights, IL United States)
My 2 sons, ages 8 and 10, LOVED this book. They actually fought over it, since they both wanted to read it at the same time. Fighting over a book? This never happens at my house. Sure, they fight over the computer or Wii, or whose turn it is to feed the dog... but a book? Usually they argue with me why they don't need to read...Anyways, while they were reading the book, both of them shared some highlights with me and they were very funny. Of course, they refused to share any with me for this review, so you will just have to trust my recommendation. This would be a great book for the reluctant reader.
|
|
|
Can't find the right gift? Try a Gift Certificate
| |
