The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and
bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level.
Let's face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody
just needs to explain that to Greg's father. You see, Frank Heffley
actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in
organized sports and other "manly" endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to
easily sidestep his father's efforts to change him. But when Greg's dad
threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape
up . . . or get shipped out.
Greg and his family and friends, who make the Diary of a Wimpy Kid
books a must-read for middle school readers, are back and at their best
in this hilarious new installment of the series, which is sure to please
current fans while attracting new ones.
Publishers Weekly-1/19/2009:
The third book in this genre-busting series is certain to enlarge
Kinney's presence on the bestseller lists, where the previous titles
have taken up residence for the past two years. Kinney's spot-on humor
and winning formula of deadpan text set against cartoons are back in
full force. This time, Greg starts off on New Year's Day (he resolves to
"help other people improve," telling his mother, "I think you should
work on chewing your potato chips more quietly") and ends with summer
vacation. As he fends off his father's attempts to make him more of a
man (the threat of military school looms), Greg's hapless adventures
include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings
("Dear James, You smell"), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and
single-handedly wrecking his soccer team's perfect season. Kinney allows
himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the "racket"
children's book authors have going. "All you have to do is make up a
character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a
lesson at the end of the book." Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the
exception proving that rule. Ages 8-12. (Jan.) F&P level: T
