Diary of a Wimpy Kid

This little review will talk about two books by funny man Jeff Kinney:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal
217 pages, 2007.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
216 pages, 2008.

You see, the first one was so funny that I couldn't help indulging myself in the second volume. Apparently I'm not alone, because the first installment has been on the NYT bestseller list for 52 weeks now, and occupies the second-place slot only because Rodrick Rules is in the first. Also, there's more than talk of a movie adaptation.

The fourth graders that I've been working with during my student teaching were the ones who really got me to read this book. I'd heard about it on book blogs, but you can't read everything that's recommended. My mentor teacher read the book and was constantly suppressing laughs during silent reading. But you know a book is golden when fourth graders of all reading levels can't get enough of it.

So, what's it even about? It's the journal, not diary, of Greg Heffley who has just started middle school. It contains his commentary about school (popularity is way more complicated than it was in elementary), family (his mom is a dancing machine), and life (you can't expect everyone to be as dedicated a weight lifter as you are). You'll laugh out loud about "The Cheese Touch," Greg's stage debut, and some Halloween shenanigans. And those are all just in the first book.

I recommend these books to anyone fourth grade and up -- some third graders might even enjoy the books' prose and cartoon mix. I made Jacob read them and about the books he says, "They're funny. Zoo wee mama!" Ah, Jacob, so articulate.