Adolescent Novel - Sophie

*Diary of a Wimpy Kid*

Written by Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has taken off since being published in 2007. Kinney has since written five more books to the series with another coming out in November. Just this month a movie is being released for the title Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog days. Kinney's books have really taken the world by storm, the American author even has a website dedicated to this series at http://www.wimpykid.com/
What is unique about this novel is that it is a combination of cartoons and text. For the reluctant reader this might just be the draw card that gets them engaged and reading. If not for the cartoons, then children read these books for the humour that I'm sure most kids and adults alike can relate to.

'Whenever Dad says 'friend' that way, you know you're in trouble. The first time Dad ever said 'friend' like that to me, I didn't get that he was being sarcastic. So I kind of let my guard down.
I don't make that mistake anymore.
Tonight, Dad yelled at me for about ten minutes, and then I guess he decided he'd rather be in bed than standing in my room in his underwear.'

The book is written in diary structure as daily entries by Greg Heffley who has just started high school. He writes about daily events and problems, like being surrounded by morons, having a best friend who is detrimental to your popularity and being banned from listening to CD's with 'parental warnings'. The text is clever and witty, as are the cartoons. Even as stand alone comics some of the drawings are quite funny. I think young readers could relate to Greg's experiences both at school and at home. Such as his spoiled little brother blaming him for things he didn't do and being forced to participate in the school play. There is a great orientation to this story as Greg introduces the people in his life such as family, friends and teachers. There are several small complications and the largest being that Greg breaks his arm and loses his friendship with Rowley. There is of course a resolution but it ends in a way that the following novel can continue the storyline.