#BookReview : Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1) by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1) by Jeff Kinney
Publication Date: April 1st 2007
Publisher: Amulet Books
Genre: Humor / Middle Grade / Children’s book
Pages: 224
Stars: ★★★★☆

Boys don’t keep diaries—or do they?

The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to

It’s 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 you’re 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 Rowley’s star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend’s 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 don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t 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.

F&P level: T

I haven’t heard any boy kept diary, have you? But this boy, Greg Heffley, does. Let’s just go along as he says, Diary of a Wimpy Kid was not a diary, it was his journal. It was about a middle school boy’s life at home and at school, about friendship, doing right thing.

Writing was easy, age appropriate and entertaining. Those doodles… I just love them all. Book was written in Greg’s sarcastic and funny voice that started at the beginning of the school with a mom handing her son a diary to pour out his thoughts (Greg had different reason, of course.. see below) and ended at the end of the term.

Greg was sarcastic, lazy, and self-centered boy who had a typical big brother, normal parents who doted his little brother. His thoughts as a middle child and his feeling were wonderfully expressed. He was notorious kid and didn’t have many friend. Rowley was his best friend who was nice kid a little behind in IQ. Greg never said that to him but used it to play tricks which was really mean but when a big problem occurs and Rowley shunned him, he realized his mistake and backed his friend when he saw him in trouble.

Some scenes where Greg played tricks were fun but some also showed they are not always fun, it cost kids more than they can bear. There were many hilarious events on summer vacation, Halloween, Christmas and during school. Greg participating in all kind of events at school showed how kids want to fit in and stand out. Sometimes because of parents’ insistence they take part in activities they are not interested in. They all feel awkward and selfish at this age and even feel jealousy if their friends get more attention. I loved the way author represented all these in kids with humor and in refreshing and sarcastic tone.

I saw many readers saying Greg was this and that, it’s not age appropriate or they didn’t like Greg’s behavior. How many of us were mature at his age? We lost best friend or changed friends and done many things we thought we could go back and change. This book need to be seen from kid’s eye. I tell you kids are like this at this age, sometimes even worse!

Here is some graphics and the lines I really loved-

Why 4 Stars-

What I wanted was Greg learning more lesson than just his friendship. I hope he will develop in next books of the series.

Overall, it was short, entertaining book with amazing drawings. It made me chuckle few times and reminded me my childhood and school days.

Book Links: Goodreads
Affiliate Links: Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Book depository

Let’s discuss!

What do you think about the book?
Have you read this books or any in this series?
Which is your favorite book with sequential Art or graphics?

HAPPY READING!!

booksteacupnreviews.wordpress.com

Follow me on-

        

---

---