2) Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Genre: Humor, Realistic Fiction
Ages: 9 and up

Plot: With funny situations, and a comic illustrations, this book tells the adventures of Greg and his best friend Rowley in their first year of middle school--ages 9 to 11. Greg's mom gives him a diary--ahem, journal--which , allows him to write down all the mishaps he experiences in school. What is it is like to be a middle school student? As Greg tries to gain popularity, he finds himself causing his own problems which ends him in even more embarrassing situations. This is the first of three in the series, and it has been listed as a New York Times Best Seller.

Review: This book would be a great read for any middle school student. The genre is realistic because the author, Kinney, is telling stories that he experienced as a child in middle school. These accounts are funny because they are real situations. Many tweens are scared to enter their first year of middle school, and Kinney has the ablility to add humor to that fear of entering middle school. Kinney shows that there are other fears beside middle school, too, like bullies of the neighborhood, or even big brothers. Rodrick, is Greg's worst nightmare, and he lives in the same house. Trying escape from bullies, getting revenge on bullies is all this book is about. Also, the ups and downs of friendship is explored in this book as well.

Author: Kinney tried numerous times to publish his book, and finally in April 2007 was the debut of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This book was listed as #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list. There is a series of six books, and movie adaptation of the first book. Kinney's website can be accessed at http://www.wimpykid.com/ .