Is your child a Wimpy Kid fan? Get the scoop on the books, the author, and the feature films based on the hit series. Written by Family Education's own Jeff Kinney, these webcomics-to-books have captured the hearts of kids and adults alike. Perfect for reluctant readers, especially boys, the books and films portray the everyday struggles and silliness of life as an awkward middle-schooler.
Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
Not Just Another Comic
About the Author
Book 1: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Ages 7-13
Greg Heffley is a sixth-grade student whose mother forces him to keep a diary. If Greg writes in his journal every day, then he's excused from one Saturday chore. In his entries readers will learn about "cheese touch," similar to cooties; his antics on Halloween and Christmas; and his short stint on Safety Patrol. Greg's hilarious diary entries alternate between home and school, and are illustrated with cartoons that add to his unapologetic adolescent behavior.
Book 2: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Ages 8-12
Greg is in seventh grade and just wants to forget about the summer's events. Greg's older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the "incident" and holds it over his head. Readers follow Greg as he attempts to avoid his older brother's torment, his suffering on swim team, and his never-ending struggle to avoid embarrassment. But, as always, secrets have a way of getting out.
Book 3: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
Ages 8-12
The third book picks up where Rodrick Rules left off. On New Year's Day, Greg resolves to help others improve -- like telling his mother to chew her potato chips more quietly. He is constantly avoiding his father's attempts to toughen him up, hands out rude Valentines to classmates, and single-handedly ruins his soccer team's perfect season.
Book 4: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Ages 8-12
In the fourth book, it's summer vacation, and Greg is still self-absorbed and getting into hilarious hijinks. Greg falls into debt with his best friend's dad, Mr. Jefferson, and has to pay him back with his birthday money. Greg's dog eats most of his birthday cake, Rodrick's "aggressive" fish eats Greg's fish, and Greg causes an uproar while at the beach with the Jeffersons.
Book 5: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth
Ages 8-12
In the fifth book in the Wimpy Kid series, Greg finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and the awkward changes that come with getting older — all without his best friend, Rowley, at his side. Can Greg make it through on his own? Or will he have to face the "ugly truth"?
Book 6: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever
Ages 8-12
Greg is the prime suspect when damage is discovered at his school. But is he really at fault? Just when he's determined to prove his innocence, Greg and the whole town are caught off guard by a surprise blizzard. It's not quite the holiday season a kid dreams of — trapped inside with your family, with the authorities closing in to solve a school mystery.
Book 7: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel
Ages 8-12
With the school Valentine's Day dance approaching, Greg and his best friend, Rowley, seem to be left out in the cold in terms of finding a date — until the last minute, that is. One of them finally finds a partner... but does that mean the other is the odd man out? As the middle schoolers soon learn, love is far from logical.
Book 8: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck
Ages 8-12
Greg is on a losing streak. His best friend, Rowley, has ditched him, and finding new friends in middle school is proving to be a tough task. So Greg decides to take a leap of faith and turn his decisions over to chance. Will a roll of the dice turn things around, or is his life destined to be just another hard-luck story?
Book 9: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Ages 8-12
A family road trip is supposed to be a lot of fun... unless, of course, you're Greg Heffley. But even the worst road trip can turn into an adventure — and this is one the Heffleys won't soon forget.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself
Ages 9-12
Now every kid can be wimpy. This book, with full-color comics, is an interactive "diary" where kids can express themselves. Kids can find their inner wimpy kid by creating their own stories or answering questions like, "The worst thing you ever ate?"
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary
Ages 9-12
Fans of the Wimpy Kid books and movies can now see "how Greg Heffley went Hollywood." The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary gives a behind-the-scenes look at the book-to-movie adaptation, including photographs, script pages, storyboard sketches, costume designs, and original art by Jeff Kinney. The book has been updated to cover all three films in the series.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie
Rated PG
The first Diary of a Wimpy Kid landed on the silver screen in March 2010 and is now available on DVD. Zachary Gordon stars as the wise-cracking hero, Greg Heffley, while Rachel Harris and Steve Zahn co-star as his parents. The snarky tween's struggles with wedgie-loving bullies and the full cast of crazy middle school characters comes to life. He weighs what's more important: popularity or real good friends.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Movie
Rated PG
The second Wimpy Kid film, hit the big screen in March 2011. Zachary Gordon returns to star as Greg, who is starting seventh grade and dealing with his parents' push to get him and his taunting big brother, Rodrick, to bond despite a secret that's putting them at odds.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Movie
Rated PG
Released in August 2012, the third Wimpy Kid film, features the fun and awkward escapades of Greg's summer vacation. Just his luck, Greg somehow loses his swim trunks on the diving board of the community pool — and it's all down hill from there. As usual, Greg and his buddy Rowley survive several embarrassing moments with a lot of laughs, and some lessons learned.
Stay tuned to see what else is in the works in the Wimpy Kid series!
