BOOK OF THE WEEK: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is just starting middle school, and he is not looking forward to it, so his mom suggests that he keep a journal of the events that take place at school. Reluctantly, he agrees. In his journal, Greg writes down the day to day events of his life in middle school. Greg writes about trying to fit in with the cool kids at school, but everything he tries does not seem to work, and he ends up making himself look a bit foolish in front of them, and he is constantly being teased. Greg also has to deal with overbearing parents, his older brother who constantly picks on him, and baby-sitting his younger brother. Greg deals with all this in addition to trying to look cool in front of girls. Oh middle school!

This book was a quick read, and was "laugh-out-loud funny." It made me think of when I was in middle school and wanted to fit in and not make myself stand out in a crowd. I think students will enjoy the book not only because it is funny or because it has pictures, but also because they can relate to what Greg is going through because they themselves are having similar experiences at this time. As a teacher, I like that students are reading it because they are interested in it and are enjoying the book. Since it is now a major motion picture, I hope that it will spark their interests to read the book (hopefully before watching the movie) and then note differences between the two and see which they like better...the book of course!

http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0810993139&pub=sl

http://www.wimpykid.com/MovieTrailer.html