PLOT SUMMARY
In this sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller, Greg Heffley returns to start a new school year. He wants to forget all about his summer vacation, particularly the one event his older brother knows all about. This story is Gregg's second diary in which he writes about his daily life in middle school. In these pages, he chronicles his time at school trying to avoid swim practice by hiding in the boys’ bathroom and begins a class prank directed at a kid who returns to the school after having moved away. His nerdy friend, Rowley, who wants to be just like Gregg, also keeps a diary and Gregg goes to great lengths to find out what Rowley writes. At home Gregg has to deal with his older brother, Rodrick, a rock star “wannabe,” a younger brother who can do no wrong, and parents who are largely clueless about his troubles. The war at home continues when Rodrick throws a party and locks Greg in the basement. The book is full of funny anecdotes and incidents that keep the reader laughing right up to the very end.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
First developed in online installments, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a humorous tale that is sure to be enjoyed by reluctant readers, especially boys. The series was hailed a great success on Funbrain.com and in 2006 Kinney signed a publishing deal to turn his work into a print series. Gregg Heffley is an appealing, hapless character that continues to bring about his own troubles. He is essentially a good kid who doesn’t like to work very hard and is trying to find his niche in middle school. Readers will identify with some of the home anxiety Gregg feels and with having parents who seem out of touch. These are real people with problems not unlike those of the child reader. Younger brother, Manny, seems to be the favorite and Gregg is always paying for his older brother, Rodrick’s, blunders. Kinney combines line drawings, cartoon captions and hand-written text on every page to present a character that is devious, somewhat insincere and always amusing. The events are plausible and engaging while the dialogue is natural and believable. This book is sure to appeal to readers who can identify with “older sibling” troubles and looming adolescence.
REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS
New York Times bestseller (Children’s Chapter, 2008)
School Library Journal- “This sequel should be an equally big hit with reluctant readers, especially boys, and anyone looking for a funny book.”
Publisher’s Weekly- “The hilarious interplay between text and cartoons and the keen familial observations that set Diary of a Wimpy Kid apart are just as evident in this outing, and are just as likely to keep readers in stitches.”
Booklist- “…the real and deeper appeal of Greg’s story is the unapologetic honesty of his adolescence…his story is one that will appeal to all those real kids who feel just like him.”
CONNECTIONS
Have readers create their own ideas for a graphic novel or comic strip.
Additional recommended reading:
Other books in the series by Jeff Kinney:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid ISBN-10: 0810993139
Do-It-Yourself Book ISBN-10: 0810979772
The Last Straw ISBN-10: 0810970686
Dog Days ISBN-10: 0810983915
as well as:
The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt ISBN-10: 0618724834
One False Note by Gordan Korman ISBN-10: 0545060427
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman ISBN-10: 0689876785
No Talking by Andrew Clements ISBN-10: 1416909834
RESOURCES
http:titlepeek.fsc.follett.com
http://www.librarything.com/work/5145202
Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.
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