Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
Author: Jeff Kinney
Pages: 224
Age Range: 9-12
I've been recommending Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid books ever since the first one was THE book that turned a young friend of mine onto reading (story here). But until recently, I somehow never got around to reading one. Now that I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, I see what all the fuss has been about with this series.
For those unfamiliar with the books, the Wimpy Kid books are written as the diaries of a slightly geeky middle schooler named Greg Heffley, complete with a font that looks like it was written by hand, and lots of sketches and cartoons. This format, and the episodic nature of the stories, makes the books particularly accessible for reluctant readers. The illustrations break the flow of the text, and there are no long chapters or dense pages. It's always easy to read a few more pages. But even more so than the format, I think it's Greg's voice that makes the books work for kids. I mean, this kid is a riot (examples to follow). The Last Straw had me giggling out loud on page after page.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is loosely about Greg's father's attempts to toughen him up, and the imminent threat of military school (hmm... I wonder if Jeff Kinney ever watched Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure). It follow's Greg's winter semester, from New Year's Day to the first day of summer vacation (and possible departure date for military school), touching on everything from sibling rivalry to detention to Greg's increasingly dramatic attempts not to have to do laundry. Here are a couple of excerpts to give you a feel for the humor in the book:
"You know how you're supposed to come up with a list of "resolutions" at the beginning of the year to try to make yourself a better person? Well, the problem is, it's not easy for me to think of ways to improve myself, because I'm already pretty much one of the best people I know. So this year my resolution is to help other people improve. But the thing I'm finding out is that some people don't really appreciate it when you're trying to be helpful" (Illustration of unappreciative mother) (Page 1)
"You know, if the school is going to take away our bus ride home, the least they can do is install a ski lift on our hill. (Illustration of ski lift) I've emailed the principal about five times with my suggestion, but I haven't heard anything back yet." (Page 46)
My favorite parts, though, were :
1) A segment in which Greg decides to write his own picture book ("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."); and
2) A graphic segment in which Greg hides out in a laundry basket, to track down a snack thief. The illustrations are priceless!
But there are lots of other funny bits, too. I'm not generally a big fan of episodic stories (preferring strong, "what happens next" plots), but even I was charmed by Greg's combination of ego and haplessness. I can see why kids of all ages love these books. A fourth book in the series is planned, and I hope that there will be others. Highly recommended for kids of all ages.
Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: January 13, 2009
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher
Other Blog Reviews: 100 Scope Notes, Welcome to my Tweendom, BookHound, BlogCritics, The Reading Zone, Book Mama, Read, Read, Read!, What Adrienne Thinks About That
Author Interviews: BookMoot recaps Today Show Interview
© 2009 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved.
After seeing these all over the place, I finally picked up the first one at the library last week. Cant' wait to read it!
Posted by: Janssen | February 22, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Yes, yes, yes! We don't have this one yet, but our 7 year old introduced us to the first book and we were rolling when we started reading it one night at the dinner table! She loves it, and now it's become a semi-regular routine (since she's a slow eater) that whoever is finished eating first starts reading from the book. And even though she's read it before, she still cracks up!!! These are VERY clever and lots of fun!!!
Posted by: Kimberly Derting | February 22, 2009 at 04:04 PM
I think you'll like it, Janssen. Not what you'd read all the time, but a nice break.
And Kimberly, thanks for sharing. I think that reading these books at the dinner table is a great idea. What a way to turn slow eating into a positive thing! I'm sure that you'll like this one, too. Thanks for commenting!
Posted by: Jen Robinson | February 22, 2009 at 05:02 PM
I have seen the children at my school so engaged reading these books, that I knew I had to read it myself in order to understand what was the big fuss all about....and now...I GET IT! I enjoyed these books so much....
Posted by: stella | February 22, 2009 at 06:29 PM
That is EXACTLY how I felt after reading this book, Stella. Like "oh, now I get it." It all makes sense.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | February 22, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Thanks for this explanation. I'm still not getting the appeal of these, but the students do love them! The fact that they are episodic might be part of my dislike, but that would help the reluctant readers get through them. This is just one that I have, but am not wild about.
Posted by: Ms. Yingling | February 23, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Ms. Yingling, it probably is the episodic thing. I don't think I would have enjoyed the book if it was any longer - but I can tolerate vignettes for a short period of time. The humor isn't exactly mature sometimes, either, so that might explain it being more a kid book than an adult book. Jeff Kinney is clearly able to channel his inner 12 year old.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | February 23, 2009 at 09:59 AM
i don't see what's so funny about labelling people...you even described the boy as "geeky"..why because he's small, smart and stays primarily to himself..i know children who see this book and it makes them feel worse about already being left out...i don't want this book in our library and i certainly wouldn't take anyone to see the movie..what's next, diary of a kid with glasses, diary of a fat kid..give me a break....
Posted by: debbie | March 06, 2010 at 07:08 AM
Well, Debbie, you're certainly entitled not to buy the Wimpy kid books, or go to see the movie, if you're bothered by the word "Wimpy". That is absolutely your choice and your right. But I don't personally feel that you (or anyone else) have any right to keep this book out of libraries. That would be denying other people the chance to make their own decision about the books. The Wimpy kid books have reached many kids (some of them proud, self-proclaimed geeks), and taught them that reading books can be fun. I think that the series is tremendously valuable because of that.
And you know, I'd read "Diary of a Kid with Glasses" with no problem. I was a kid with glasses, and I would have loved a book that spoke directly, without fear, to the issues that I was facing. I guess it's all a matter of your perspective.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | March 06, 2010 at 10:06 AM