Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons," adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama. Greg's mother forces him to keep a diary ("I know what it says on the cover, but when Mom went out to buy this thing I specifically told her to get one that didn't say `diary' on it"), and in it he loosely recounts each day's events, interspersed with his comic illustrations. Kinney has a gift for believable preteen dialogue and narration (e.g., "Don't expect me to be all `Dear Diary' this and `Dear Diary' that"), and the illustrations serve as a hilarious counterpoint to Greg's often deadpan voice. The hero's utter obliviousness to his friends and family becomes a running joke. For instance, on Halloween, Greg and his best friend, Rowley, take refuge from some high school boys at Greg's grandmother's house; they taunt the bullies, who then T.P. her house. Greg's journal entry reads, "I do feel a little bad, because it looked like it was gonna take a long time to clean up. But on the bright side, Gramma is retired, so she probably didn't have anything planned for today anyway." Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life, from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the trauma of a "wrestling unit" in gym class. His print debut should keep readers in stitches, eagerly anticipating Greg's further adventures. Ages 8-13. (Apr.) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Gr 5-8-Greg Heffley has actually been on the scene for more than two years. Created by an online game developer, he has starred in a Web book of the same name on www.funbrain.com since May 2004. This print version is just as engaging. Kinney does a masterful job of making the mundane life of boys on the brink of adolescence hilarious. Greg is a conflicted soul: he wants to do the right thing, but the constant quest for status and girls seems to undermine his every effort. His attempts to prove his worthiness in the popularity race (he estimates he's currently ranked 52nd or 53rd) are constantly foiled by well-meaning parents, a younger and older brother, and nerdy friends. While Greg is not the most principled protagonist, it is his very obliviousness to his faults that makes him such an appealing hero. Kinney's background as a cartoonist is apparent in this hybrid book that falls somewhere between traditional prose and graphic novel. It offers some of the same adventures as the Web book, but there are enough new subplots to entertain Funbrain followers. This version is more pared down, and the pace moves quickly. The first of three installments, it is an excellent choice for reluctant readers, but more experienced readers will also find much to enjoy and relate to in one seventh grader's view of the everyday trials and tribulations of middle school.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
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Reviews
5.0
out of 5 based on
6
reviews.
– Customer review on 19/05/2008
Exellent Book,
Cartoon Book By Jeff Kenney,
Greg Makes his haunted house, and looses his money. He makes a massive snow man. He makes a comic then also gets no credit, Very funny when he goes and nearly gets chopped by a chainsaw, I read this everywhere I went!
5.0
out of 5 based on
6
reviews.
– Customer review on 03/08/2009
My 10 year old son has loved reading this book. He has never liked reading and so finding a book that he will pick up has been a battle. But - this book he has been keen to read and loved it. He is keen to read the next book in the series now. It definitely has a great sense of humour that boys like!!
5.0
out of 5 based on
6
reviews.
– Customer review on 15/12/2011
i loved this because it is very interesting and exciting.I have read also the dairy of a wimpy kid 2 and 3 also.This book was easy to read and it was funny and it was able to read it fast.i am onto the next book.it is an excellent book,cartoon by Jeff kenny
5.0
out of 5 based on
6
reviews.
– Customer review on 18/02/2010
Egzactly the same as the character in this book i started my first day of high school last week. Although my first day wasnt as bad, and i didn't sit between some dorks and then hear the teachers saying " Those are you permanent seats. "
This book was very easy to read, funny and I was able to read it very fast. My mum got me this book as a christmas present. The best thing about this book was the cheese and his mum making him write the actual diary.
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– Customer review on 19/05/2008 
