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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Perfect for high interest/low level readers. About a 2nd/3rd grade reading level but with a 6th-8th grade reading interest. A book that can pull a different audience in that may be turned off by romance, fantasy, and/or angsty books.
First in a series of five (as of November 2010)
Perhaps it's because I just read Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging but the humorous ridicule of the "unpopular" and the unending desire to be popular is getting annoying. That gotten out of the way, the author does capture that desire to be popular yet an eventual acceptance of self. The humor in this book does branch outside of ridicule of others (maybe 60% of the time) so it's nice that children are pulled in by what they know but then exposed to more diverse forms of humor.
First in a series of five (as of November 2010)
Perhaps it's because I just read Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging but the humorous ridicule of the "unpopular" and the unending desire to be popular is getting annoying. That gotten out of the way, the author does capture that desire to be popular yet an eventual acceptance of self. The humor in this book does branch outside of ridicule of others (maybe 60% of the time) so it's nice that children are pulled in by what they know but then exposed to more diverse forms of humor.
It was funny at first but then I just got bored reading it and just read faster so I could finish it--which I did all in one sitting. And that brings me to my next point. There's no substance. Nothing great in it (except maybe some of the drawings). It wouldn't challenge kids at all, intellectually. And it doesn't feel like middle school to me--more like elementary school (which is why younger kids like it). But I can definitely see why so many kids do like it. There's a lot in it that most kids can relate to. And if it gets reluctant readers to read then I'll go with it. I'm just not going to love it. But I hope kids don't idolize this Greg Heffley--there are much better literary characters out there that aren't so pathetic.
I would give it a 2.5 if that were an option. I heard good things about this book but maybe I don't get middle school boy humor. I didn't think any of it was funny. This book was just blah.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Four stars just because my 1st grader loves this book and I read the whole thing aloud. Minus one star because some of the sentences are clunky to read aloud.
I've read various segments of other books in the series and appreciate the humor--it reads like fictionalized real events. It's fun to see how it all started.
I like how the situations offer room to talk or think about moral/ethical choices, but the writer doesn't dictate that for you. It's up to the reader to decide if the character is making good choices.
Poop.
I added that in there because I thought this review was getting boring.
I've read various segments of other books in the series and appreciate the humor--it reads like fictionalized real events. It's fun to see how it all started.
I like how the situations offer room to talk or think about moral/ethical choices, but the writer doesn't dictate that for you. It's up to the reader to decide if the character is making good choices.
Poop.
I added that in there because I thought this review was getting boring.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"A novel in cartoons." Greg starts a journal on the first day of middle school. The cartoon drawings are entertaining and some things made me laugh, but I didn't actually like this book as much as I thought I would. Greg is not very nice to his friends and it wasn't that funny. Someone must like it, since it's a #1 New York Times Bestseller.
2.5 stars. Cute, but not nearly as funny as Timmy Failure.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this book for part of a 6th grade mentoring program. What a treat! I was actually laughing out loud. No wonder these books are popular with young teens and elementary school children! For adults, it's a super fast read and worth the chuckle if you're interested in seeing what the kids are into these days.