Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 1

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 

Author: Jeff Kinney
# of Pages: 224

Published by: Amulet Books
Age Range: 7-13
Grade Level: 2-8

In this book, the main character Greg Heffley decides to keep a journal, and this book is his diary. He keeps the journal because his mother wants him to, but also because he wants something he can give to people who ask him questions when he is rich and famous. This book is neat to read because it is in handwritten font and looks like he actually wrote it. There are cartoon illustrations throughout. The story line is Greg's day to day life as a middle school student. He talks about bullying, girls, where to sit in class, how to draw cartoons and many other fun topics. One main topic talked about throughout is the cheese touch. The cheese touch is a middle school ailment, like cooties, that comes from touching an old piece of cheese that's beneath the basketball hoop on the playground. If you couch the cheese, then you have the cheese touch until you touch someone else. Greg is the middle child in his family. His other brother Rodrick plays many jokes on him. Greg's younger brother is Manny, he's spoiled. Greg doesn't believe that his parents understand him. His parent's are embarrassing. Greg's best friend is Rowley. They became friends in the book because Greg felt bad for Rowley. One day, Greg goes too far and lets Rowley take the blame for chasing kindergarteners all the way home, instead of walking them home as the Safety Patrol Person should. As a result, Rowley stops hanging out with him. Greg doesn't understand why the friendship ended. Bullies made Rowley eat the cheese, and he tells his  classmates a lie to cover for Rowley. Greg says that he threw it away. Now Greg is cursed with the cheese touch, him and Rowley become friends again. 

This book is very relatable to students. Its setting is realistic, and the characters are relatable. It takes place in school and covers many important topics. This book has hand written font and fun pictures that  will make students enjoy reading them. This is a series book and there are a lot more to read if students like it. There's also a movie. I wouldn't teach with this book, but I would recommend certain students to read this!

Classroom lessons and activities include:

• Have students keep their own diary
• Use this teaching guide
• Watch the movie and then compare and contrast the book and the movie
• Lesson Plan Packet

Here's the book trailer: