The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level.
Let’s face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg’s father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other “manly” endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his father’s efforts to change him. But when Greg’s dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up . . . or get shipped out.
Greg and his family and friends, who make the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books a must-read for middle school readers, are back and at their best in this hilarious new installment of the series, which is sure to please current fans while attracting new ones.
Publishers Weekly-1/19/2009:
The third book in this genre-busting series is certain to enlarge Kinney’s presence on the bestseller lists, where the previous titles have taken up residence for the past two years. Kinney’s spot-on humor and winning formula of deadpan text set against cartoons are back in full force. This time, Greg starts off on New Year’s Day (he resolves to “help
other people improve,” telling his mother, “I think you should work on chewing your potato chips more quietly”) and ends with summer vacation. As he fends off his father’s attempts to make him more of a man (the threat of military school looms), Greg’s hapless adventures include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings (“Dear James, You smell”), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and single-handedly wrecking his soccer team’s perfect season. Kinney allows himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the “racket” children’s book authors have going. “All you have to do is make up a character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a lesson at the end of the book.” Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the exception proving that rule. Ages 8–12.
(Jan.)
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If you are 9 to 12 years old, you will think this book is laugh-out-loud funny. Our family has enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and today the arrival of the third volume was greeted with high-pitched screaming when the package landed on our doorstep. Four hours later the book had been devoured by two family members.
Jeff Kinney didn’t write these books just for kids, so they are actually quite funny for everyone to read. The comics remind me a bit of Matt Groening of Life In Hell and The Simpsons fame, but pitched firmly at a middle grade level.
For any of us who were once or future awkward, clueless middle schoolers (and really, isn’t that all of us?), Greg Heffley is a convincing hero/anti-hero. It’s time to grow up but Greg hasn’t figured that out yet, and he takes “wimpy” to new heights as he flunks out of soccer, watches one channel of TV all day because he’s too lazy to even pick up the remote, and ends up locked out of a hotel room in his underwear during a camping trip gone awry.
When he finally saves the day, will it involve his Mom’s fluffy bathrobe? Greg’s mortal terror of children’s poet Shel Silverstein? Or Greg’s Wonder Woman Underoos? Read it to find out! (Bonus: With Greg’s lack of self-awareness, he hilariously illustrates the concept of an “unreliable narrator.”)
Rating: 5 / 5
i purchased diary of a wimpy kid once again after my son Loved the first 2 books. he is not an everyday reader but when it comes to these series, he Loves reading. He laughs out loud all day. i myself also read one of the books and it was great. not only was it good for my son, it was good for me too.Also it was delivered 4 days earlier than the due date so i was very happy.
Rating: 5 / 5
My 10 yr old son just loves these books. Yesterday was his birthday and what a great gift. I even braved white-out blizzard conditions just to make sure he could have it. He just cracks up when he reads these and has me stopping what I’m doing so I can laugh with him. We are both huge fans and hope to see more in the series…..keep ‘em coming please!
Rating: 5 / 5
This is an amazingly funny book. The Wimpy Kid series should not be confined to people under 18 so I highly urge adults to read all three as soon as possible. My sides hurt and yes, my eyes watered. The book is so funny and each one is better than the last which means The Last Straw is the funniest so far. The author has a knack of mentioning things that kids and kids who have gotten older can all identify with. It’s great. My favorite scene in this book was the gym class in which middle school students are urged by their gym teacher and other teachers to dance the Hokey Pokey! What a nightmare! What fun! Rowley is the sad sack friend who is embarrassing to be with and makes a great stooge for our hero. Mom is supposedly “hip” and so uncool that she needs to be kept in the house and not let out for activities that involve being “with it”. Dad can’t stay on a diet and Greg’s New Year’s Resolution is telling everybody else what’s wrong with them! Just a wonderful book and I think that we will see more of them. This is truly a classic series and too good just to be isolated in the kids’ section. Adults get your “Young Adult” reading done now! My excuse? I teach middle school.
Rating: 5 / 5
Fantastic – as much fun as the first three. I was a real-life wimpy kid and I did end up at West Point so this installment was even more fun for me. My daughter loves this series. Jeff Kinney delivers again – the “Diary” is so funny and fast-paced that even “reading wimps” can’t put the book down. The format of fun cartoon drawings and true-to-life stories that kids & adults alike can relate to make this a must-buy for your young reader. (Or adults that didn’t totally grow up)
Rating: 5 / 5