Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

Kinney, J. (2009). Diary of a wimpy kid the last straw (1st ed.). New York: Amulet Books.

ISBN: 9780810988927

Plot

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a funny series of books about the trials and tribulations of middle-schooler Greg Heffley. These books are arranged like a diary with hand-lettered entries and drawings. In this version, Greg is trying to outsmart his father who wants him to change his wimpy ways. Finally, his Dad threatens to send him to military school if he doesn’t shape up. Through a series of adventures and misadventures that befall most tweens trying to navigate everyday life, Greg tries to escape the awful fate of military school.

Critical Evaluation

This series by Jeff Kinney is truly funny. As an adult, I found myself laughing outloud at much of it. Diary of a Wimpy Kid takes a look at life from a middle-schooler's vantage point and finds humor in everyday situations. The format is particularly well suited to the reluctant reader. Tweens love these books.

Readers Annotation
The adventures of Greg Heffley, middle-schooler  extradonaire, are hilarious. All of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are funny.  Read them all and have a laugh bonanza!

About the Author
Jeff Kinney is the creator of Poptropica.com, and the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C. area, and moved to New England in 1995. He lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife, Julie, and their two sons, Will and Grant.

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Humor
Curriculum Ties: Language Arts
Booktalk Ideas: Funny situations, embarrassing situations
Reading Level: Grade 4+
Interest Level: Grade 4+
Challenge Issues: None

This book is included because tweens love it. It relates to their everyday life and is truly funny.