Book Review: Diary Of A Wimpy Kid

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid 
by Jeff Kinney

* * * * * / 5 

Certainly not Wimpy

This is a unique piece of literature. It's not a traditional novel. It's not a graphic novel. It certainly isn't a comic book. The front cover description "a novel in cartoons" is fitting though. This is an engaging journal of a middle school kid. New to his environment, he doesn't hesitate in attempting to make things go his way.

Neither the book nor this kid Greg is "Wimpy" - the word defined by my dictionary as "weak and ineffectual". The book is funny and witty and clever. It links all the characters and back stories very well. The narration is brisk and I flipped through it twice to appreciate the cartoons along with the storyline. Greg ain't wimpy. If anything, he seems almost as bad as his elder brother Rodrick. Of course, Greg has good intentions for all his misdeeds (unlike Rodrick).

This is a good gift for child or adult and I am 32 years old as I read and write this review. The "novel" started as author Jeff's gift to funbrain.com website, a children's site that educates in math and science and other subjects. You can read the original "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" at that website and is worth re-reading because the original is slightly different at parts with some cartoons and scenes not appearing in the published book you find in bookstores. That can be found here: http://www.funbrain.com/journal/Journal.html?ThisJournalDay=1&ThisPage=2 so enjoy that as a bonus from author Jeff. He certainly is talented and makes you wonder of his adventures as a child in school.

My favourite part of the book is of course Greg's friendship with his best friend Rowley and the ups and downs in it. Greg certainly ain't mature though all his intentions seem noble and beyond his age. His schemes and plans always backfire and the irony of these situations are visually delivered in simple and attractive cartoons.

All the various characters of the novel standout well and are definitely attractive parts of Wimpy Kid's World. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read graphic novels and kids above 10 years of age will appreciate the humour the most. Pick it up at any bookstore, all of them have it showcased prominently, flip through a few days of Greg's adventures and I am sure you will be tempted to buy it.