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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
fast-paced
So... I fully acknowledge I am not the target audience for this series whatsoever. I needed a palette cleanser after reading through a 700 page horror novel before going into a fantasy book I have from the library. But let me explain:
things I liked:
1. I liked the style of the novel. I liked how the font looked like handwriting and that it was lined like a spiral notebook journal. Growing up with things like Lizzie Mcquire I did like the cartoons he drew throughout as well, I think it helped bring a lot of the humor to life.
2. I liked that Greg's character was very consistent. You understood him throughout, you knew him well enough to kind of know how he would react in a situation and I live for this kind of character writing
things I didn't like:
1. I came to this after seeing the first film which covers this first book. The film portrayal of his family came off far more reasonable/normal. They had rules but overall were kind of fun loving and average... in the book I cringed often at how judgy the parents could be or how strict several parents were. Maybe this is a difference of how I grew up. Usually when I read parents in a similar way it's more obvious the parents aren't doing anything cruel but setting boundaries. There were several parts in this novel the parents upset me in a non funny way that I don't feel were "misconstrued" but just rude.
2. Greg is a jerk lol. He's a bad friend and very often selfish and entitled. I get that's probably part of the charm because he ends up with a lot of karma moments. I don't necessarily like reading a story where the character is completely a goody two shoes. But at the end of the day while Greg is a consistent character...he never really learns lol
------
All in all: I had fun reading this to a point. I liked the situations and felt they were relatable to kids. Being forced into activities, struggling with friends, wanting to be liked, christmas woes, difference in rules at your house vs your friends etc. I thought the execution was fine but I found myself feeling a little dragged and eye rolling at many decisions... but this is why it's a kid's book and not a mom's book lol
My son is 7 and gave this book 5/5 when I asked. His only complaint ironically-> it wasn't long enough.
things I liked:
1. I liked the style of the novel. I liked how the font looked like handwriting and that it was lined like a spiral notebook journal. Growing up with things like Lizzie Mcquire I did like the cartoons he drew throughout as well, I think it helped bring a lot of the humor to life.
2. I liked that Greg's character was very consistent. You understood him throughout, you knew him well enough to kind of know how he would react in a situation and I live for this kind of character writing
things I didn't like:
1. I came to this after seeing the first film which covers this first book. The film portrayal of his family came off far more reasonable/normal. They had rules but overall were kind of fun loving and average... in the book I cringed often at how judgy the parents could be or how strict several parents were. Maybe this is a difference of how I grew up. Usually when I read parents in a similar way it's more obvious the parents aren't doing anything cruel but setting boundaries. There were several parts in this novel the parents upset me in a non funny way that I don't feel were "misconstrued" but just rude.
2. Greg is a jerk lol. He's a bad friend and very often selfish and entitled. I get that's probably part of the charm because he ends up with a lot of karma moments. I don't necessarily like reading a story where the character is completely a goody two shoes. But at the end of the day while Greg is a consistent character...he never really learns lol
------
All in all: I had fun reading this to a point. I liked the situations and felt they were relatable to kids. Being forced into activities, struggling with friends, wanting to be liked, christmas woes, difference in rules at your house vs your friends etc. I thought the execution was fine but I found myself feeling a little dragged and eye rolling at many decisions... but this is why it's a kid's book and not a mom's book lol
My son is 7 and gave this book 5/5 when I asked. His only complaint ironically-> it wasn't long enough.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I’m not the target audience. I read this in an attempt to understand what’s being offered to the youth. A couple of the jokes made me chuckle.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've found some problems while reading this. But yeaah this is a fun book i don't want to read twice✌️
Amo estos libros para salir de un bloqueo, son maravillosos.
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's satire, so obviously don't take anything in it seriously. It was just good, which is about the highest one of these books could even go because it isn't like it is supposed to be well-written.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
How did Greg's mom find him a 1300-paged diary?
Also I feel so tired because there's NO way I read this all in a day.
Also I feel so tired because there's NO way I read this all in a day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Minor: Injury/Injury detail