Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules

So you might wonder, what's a grown woman doing reading the captioned subject matter? Well, I bought the book for my son.

Honest.

I so want him to be a reader, but he prefers to read books below his age level and this in a child of above average intelligence. Anyway, we sort of compromised on this one and I wasn't surprised when he got through it in less than a day. I took a gander at it and found it laugh-out-loud funny in parts.

Storyline: Greg Heffley is under his brother's thumb because of a secret he knows about from the summer holidays. Greg suffers through various trials instigated by his brother until his secret is revealed, but not with the consequences Greg foresaw.

Players: There is Greg, his older brother Rodrick, younger sibling Manny, Mom and Dad, plus a friend -  Rowley, whom Greg detests most of the time. As assortment of other characters also take the stage, including Rodrick's friends, and Greg's classmates.

I liked: Greg's voice, which was forthright and funny as only a boy his age can be.  I laughed out loud at him 'stressing' over scads of counterfeit 'Mom bucks' he had hidden under his mattress, as well as his reasons why he didn't want to be in contact with his pen pal Mamadou.  Both Greg and his brother have quite a unique approach to doing 'research' for their homework.  I had more than a few laughs at their attempts to pass of last minute clap-trap as science projects.

I could have lived without: Greg's attitude toward Rowley, who's supposed to be his best friend. Greg seemed to dislike Rowley and only tolerated him when it suited him. To balance that, Rowley is no angel. He can and does get annoying as the book progresses. 

Overall comments: The School Library Journal commented that the book is 'An excellent choice for reluctant readers.' and I have to agree with that assessment. The format of a ruled diary with line drawings makes Diary of A Wimpy Kid an easy read. No matter how much you hate reading, the layout sucks you in and Greg's adventures carry you right along until the end, which gives a sense of 'all's well that ends well'. And yes, I'd read another book or two in the series if  and when I get my hands on them.

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