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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was fun. It was a nice way to break out of my reading rut. I felt like I was hardly getting a chance to read, trudging slowly through books. This book was really easy to just breeze through, although I'm not sure it completely qualifies as reading since there are so many cartoons througout the book.
It was funny. I had to laugh out loud a few times, not huge guffaws, but a little chuckle here and there. Greg's character seemed so true to life with all the mischief he got into. I could totally see my husband getting into those types of shenanigans when he was in middle school.
Just a fun, entertaining, quick read.
It was funny. I had to laugh out loud a few times, not huge guffaws, but a little chuckle here and there. Greg's character seemed so true to life with all the mischief he got into. I could totally see my husband getting into those types of shenanigans when he was in middle school.
Just a fun, entertaining, quick read.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book. Working at a library and helping countless children find books everyday, I've often thought, "Kids really seem to like this series, I should check it out." But it took months for me to finally pick it up and give it a read. I am SO glad that I did. Even though I am well out of the intended age group for this book, I could barely put it down. I couldn't stop laughing and it really took me back to when I was Greg's age. I think Kinney captured the essence of Middle School perfectly and I can't wait to read the other books in the series!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
He’s such an annoying little kid. It was good since I can see how children would think like him.
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.