Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 8+
Published by Puffin, 2009
About this book
Greg Heffley is a normal American kid, albeit one with a habit of getting into (and out of) trouble. His diary, complete with hilarious cartoons, records a year in his life and follows his relationships with his nerdy best friend Rowley, annoying brothers Roderick and Manny and long-suffering parents.
Greg is constantly trying to boost his popularity but his attempts at bodybuilding, cartooning and money-making - all recounted in the same deadpan tone - inevitably fall flat.
This laugh-out-loud book was a New York Times bestseller and has had enormous success with children on both sides of the Atlantic. The engaging illustrated diary format will ensure it continues to have huge appeal for reluctant readers and younger children who are gaining confidence in their reading - and it will undoubtedly raise a smile from their parents too!
About the author
Reading resources
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Get ready to see some of your favourite characters on screen: here are 10 children's and teen books being adapted for television and film in 2026.
What to read next
We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid is still so popular that seven years after we first suggested other books that Greg and Rowley fans would enjoy, we’ve now updated the list.
More books like this
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
by Jeff Kinney
9 to 14 years
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
by Jeff Kinney
9 to 14 years
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Dyddiadur Dripsyn: Storm Eira
by Jeff Kinney
5 to 14 years
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck
by Jeff Kinney
5 to 14 years
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