Genre #6 Book Review #3 : Jeff Kinney - DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

1.Bibliography –

Kinney, J. (2007). DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York, NY: Amulet Books ISBN-10: 0-8109-9455-0 / ISBN-13: 978-0-8109-9455-3


2. Plot Summary –

“The first book begins with an introduction to Greg Heffley and his middle school life. It takes place during his (presumably) sixth grade year. The book also explains the cheese touch early on. It is similar to the game of tag in which the person who touched the cheese had to get rid of it by touching someone else.

In the first half of the book, events such as Halloween, learning to know how to wrestle, and acting in the play of The Wizard of Oz occur. During trick or treating, Greg and Rowley are ambushed by a group of teenagers. Then they take refuge at Greg's grandmother's house and taunt the teenagers from there by making sounds and faces at them.

On Christmas day, it shows Greg getting very few presents that he would like. Rowley bought Greg a Big Wheel. Greg then throws a football at Rowley while he is riding the Big Wheel and Rowley breaks his arm. At school, Rowley is surrounded by girls that encourage him to get well which makes Greg mad.

Later, he and Rowley join the Safety Patrol whose responsibility is to walk home morning kindergartners. However, Greg gets kicked off the Patrol for chasing Kindergartners with a worm. When Greg gets kicked off, Rowley starts to ignore Greg. Slowly, they begin drifting apart and Rowley starts hanging out with Collin Lee and when he went to Rowley's house, Greg retaliates by spending his night at Fregley's. That turns into a disaster as Fregley goes crazy and Greg runs away in the middle of the night.

Nearing the end of the school year, Rowley's comic strip is entered into the school's newspaper. Greg tells Rowley to list him as the co-creator because it was his idea and joke punchline. Rowley then denies that Greg had anything to do with it. They get ready to fight but are then interrupted by the teenagers they taunted on Halloween. They showed up to pay them back and they force Rowley to eat the cheese, but Greg gets away by saying he's allergic to dairy products.

The next day, Greg explains that he removed the cheese, but the way he worded it, it sounded like Greg touched the cheese. For the rest of the year, Greg was in seclusion from everyone else and he and Rowley became friends again” (Wikipedia, 2009).


3. Critical Analysis -

a. Characters –
The main character is Greg Heffley who lives with his mother, father, big bully brother Rodrick, and little baby brother Manny. His friends are Rowley, who is his best friend, and another kid named Fregley who lives in between Greg and Rowley’s house.

Greg’s character is a middle school aged boy who is on an internal journey to do what is right; his emotional growth is reflected in the plot and action and his dialogue is very important to follow. Not only is his language believable for a middle school aged boy, but really reveals the way children think and talk at that age and stage of life.

“Greg records his experiences in a middle school where he and his best friend, Rowley, undersized weaklings amid boys who need to shave twice daily, hope just to survive, but when Rowley grows more popular Greg must take drastic measures to save their friendship” (Kinney, J., 2007).


b. Plot –
The story is about a middle schooler named Greg who keeps a journal, not a diary, about his year in middle school. He writes about his friends, girls, bullies, his classes, the school play, safety patrol, Halloween, the first snowfall, Christmas and all of the fun adventures a boy would have during a year of school! The events seem plausible and true to life and are fresh, original and creative to keep the reader’s interest!

“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” (Publisher’s Weekly, 2007).


c. Setting –
The setting for the story is Greg’s house, school, friends’ houses, neighbourhood and community in which he lives. Not only is the setting described in the story when needed, but the author has also made drawings and illustrations to show vivid details whenever necessary. Many readers can visualize the settings of schools, playgrounds, and neighbourhoods with the mention of the different surroundings in the story.

“Even though Greg Heffley would rather play video games with his friend Rowley than write in the journal that his mother gives him, he uses it to record, in pictures and in text, the harrowing and clever ways in which he navigates the middle school social scene. Undersized and skinny, Greg has adventures that center on how he manages to separate himself from the geeks and how he evades bigger bullies by employing quick wit and harebrained ideas. Unfortunately Greg's schemes usually backfire, providing readers with the opportunity to delight in his distress. Picked on by an older brother, embarrassed by his baby brother, and closely monitored by his clever parents, Greg reacts in typical middle school fashion, making him a character with which many readers will be able to identify. Kinney provides readers with a realistic view of middle school life as seen through the eyes of the entertaining but not very bright class clown. Readers can expect lots of middle school humor and exaggeration. Kinney manages to inject enough humor in the simple drawings to make them an integral element in the book. Because Kinney began his Wimpy Kid adventures on a Web site, many middle schoolers already familiar with the character will ensure a ready audience for this print version” (VOYA, 2009).


d. Theme –
The themes of growing up, doing the right thing, finding your place in the world and learning who you are during your middle school years are all reflected in this book. These themes generally reflect univeral truth that transcend time and place, as does the landmark of growing up into adulthood (or at least getting a year older). With the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, the themes and topics have personal resonance for the child reader and emerge naturally. Also in this story there is no moralizing or didacticism even though one can learn some important life lessons through Greg’s experiences.

“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” (Dare, K., 2009).


e. Style –
The style of this book is very unique and extremely appealing for young readers; especially reluctant readers! It is written as if in a lined notebook (or journal) and looks like it is handwritten by a middle schooler. There are a lot of crude, yet hilarious drawings that break up the text on a page. Not only do the language, humour, and illustrations appeal to this elementary-middles school age group, but so does the format.

“The first year in the middle-school life of Greg Heffley is chronicled in this laugh-out-loud novel that first appeared on the Internet. Greg tells his story in a series of short, episodic chapters. Most revolve around the adolescent male curse: the need to do incredibly dumb things because they seem to be a good idea at the time. Yet, unlike some other books about kids of this age, there's no sense of a slightly condescending adult writer behind the main character. At every moment, Greg seems real, and the engrossed reader will even occasionally see the logic in some of his choices. Greatly adding to the humor are Kinney's cartoons, which appear on every page. The simple line drawings perfectly capture archetypes of growing up, such as a preschool-age little brother, out-of-touch teachers, and an assortment of class nerds. Lots of fun throughout” (Morning, T., 2009).

“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” (Dare, K., 2008).

“The format and humour is very appealing to boys in the middle school years, especially reluctant readers. Boys really respond to this format as most boys look at a page of text and respond more to a mix of text and illustrations; but girls love it too even though they are more avid readers” (Kinney, J., 2008).


f. Gender and Culture –
Even though the protagonist in this story is a boy, and this book naturally appeals to boys around the elementary-middle school aged bracket, this story is also just as appealing to girls. The culture represented in the story is your typical American school-aged group with the different clicks of boys, girls, bullies, nerds, morons, etc. There is only one cultural reference (and only in regards to his name) which is to his peer Chirag Gupta; who must be small for his age as he would be in first grade if school’s grade levels were based on height.

“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” (Amazon, 2009).


g. Awards & recognitions –

• #1 New York Times Best Seller thrice
• Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards: Favorite Book
• ALA Notable Book
• Winners of the 2008 Buckeye Children’s Book Award and the Teen Buckeye Book Award - For Grades 3-5: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2007)



4. Review Excerpts –

** “For any child thoughtful about growing up and who may be looking for a champion, Jeff Kinney has delivered it. In this hilarious diary told through the eyes of a "wimpy kid," the author tells the story of middle-schooler Greg Heffley, whose friend Rowley begins to move up in the social sphere. Greg decides to take advantage of the situation, and while his and Rowley's friendship is put to the test as a result, readers are laughing all the way. The first book in a series based on the author's online comic, this is a knee-slapping read that keeps fans anxious for more” –- Barnes and Noble

**"Kinney manages to inject enough humor in the simple drawings to make them an integral element in the book." -- VOYA

** "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." -- School Library Journal

** “Laugh-out-loud funny school stories with lessons.” –- Common Sense Media

** “Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney perfectly nails the voice of a fifth-grade boy. Greg's (mis)adventures move along rapidly, with one hilarious scene after another, augmented with the equally hysterical comic illustrations. Since its release in April 2007, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID has proven itself to be a winner. This New York Times bestseller has appealed, and will continue to appeal, to middle-grade boys, including reluctant readers --- and is irresistible to adults as well.” -– Terry Miller Shannon - Kidreads



5. Connections –

“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” (Amazon, 2009).

“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” (Dare, K., 2008)

Other titles by Jeff Kinney are:

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DO-IT-YOURSELF BOOK
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS


Book Trailers:

Another thing that is fun to do with books is to make a book trailer to get others interested in reading the story. Here is an example of a book trailer for DIARY OF A WIMPY KID made by a school boy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWGfLux0E9A


Audio Book on CD:

Another great idea for children, young adults and students of all ages is to listen to books in audio form. Here is a review for DIARY OF A WIMPY KID from AudioFile:

“The main character wants to make one thing clear: this is NOT a diary--it's a journal. And it's his mother's idea for him to chronicle his life as a tortured sixth-grader, not his. One day Greg will be famous, but "for now I'm stuck in middle school with a bunch of morons." In a voice that brings to mind Holden Caulfield and David Sedaris rolled into one, Greg discusses the fleeting nature of popularity, the logic of bullying, and the fickleness of the fairer sex. Narrator Ramon de Ocampo is completely tuned in to Greg's angst-filled point of view. Though Greg is not always what you'd call a sympathetic character, de Ocampo's well-dramatized, insightful presentations of his various plights evoke our empathy--and laughter. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition” (Amazon, 2009).




References

Amazon, (1996-2009). Diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0810993139/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Dare, K., (2008). School library journal – Diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Wimpy-Kid-Jeff-Kinney/dp/0810993139/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books#noop

Kinney, J. (2007). DIARY OF A WIMPY KID. New York, NY: Amulet Books ISBN-10: 0-8109-9455-0 / ISBN-13: 978-0-8109-9455-3

Kinney, J., (2008). YouTube: Jeff Kinney talks about diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB-JBU9Bv28&feature=related


Morning, T., (2009). Booklist – Diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0810993139/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Publisher’s Weekly, (2007). Amazon – Diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://www.amazon.com/Diary-Wimpy-Kid-Jeff-Kinney/dp/0810993139

VOYA, (2009). Barnes and noble – Diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Diary-of-a-Wimpy-Kid/Jeff-Kinney/e/9780810993136#TABS

Wikipedia, (2009). Diary of a wimpy kid, retrieved on November 24, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_a_Wimpy_Kid