Module 13

Module 13

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Summary
Greg Heffley is middle schooler now.  He is still little and wimpy.  He decides to write down his story so that when he becomes famous, he will already have written down all of the answers to questions he may be asked.  He deals with a best friend who is still immature, a little brother who can do no wrong, an older brother that enjoys making his life miserable, parents who dont seem to understand him, and middle school with all of its unique issues.  All of his plans seem to backfire on him. 

Citation

Kinney, Jeff. (2007). Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York: Amulet Books.

Impressions
I actually saw the movie before I read the book so I was a little behind on the Wimpy Kid Series but I enjoyed the humor of it.  The way it is written is pretty unique: as if Greg is writing it in a diary or journal.  The illustrations are very simple as if a sixth grader was drawing them.  I teach middle school and I can probably pick out several Gregs in the sixth grade every year.  It made it that much more relevant to me.  The illustrations give a good visual to the words but dont overwhelm either.  My son has the books and the kids I teach still enjoy them so Kinney hit on something with this format.  It is easy to read, funny, and relatable to kids.  I think most late elementary and middle school student would like this book. 

Review

Tillotson, Laura. (2008). Book Links. Jan2008, Vol 17 (3), p19-20. Library & Information Science Source 12 Dec. 2013.

Gr. 5-8. Now on many a best-seller list, Kinney's print incarnation of the Web-based "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"comic is a laugh-out-loud journal kept by middle-schooler Greg Hetflcy.

(Just don't expect him to be "all 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that. ) This "novel in cartoons" features a mix of text and black-and-white spot art, and the first-person narration is hoot, whether Greg is describing the difference hetwcen school and TV wrestling, or the reason why his grandma's house wasT.P.'d. Perfect for reluctant readers, this is the first of five
promised Wimpy Kid books.    

Uses
A journal writing activity., with illustrations like the book.   It would help the English teachers out with writing and could help explain graphic novel types.