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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 812. (Jan.) F&P level: T
Gr 4-8
Greg Heffley's crazy antics continue in this latest installment in the series. Kinney portrays humorous and touching family dynamics between the boy and his competitive father, whom he seems to disappoint numerous times. The fast-paced narrative successfully balances Greg's home and school life, revealing an egocentric yet lovable character. As in the previous books, cartoons and journal entries blend seamlessly to convey Greg's middle school angst. His uncanny ability to fall into amusing predicaments will win even more converts to this popular series. His witty voice coupled with memorable characterization will have this offering flying off the shelves.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC
Jeff Kinney is an online game developer and designer, and the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and now lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife and their two sons.
Once he conceived the concept for Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Kinney devoted nearly six years to developing the storyline and artwork. Fashioned as a journal with appealing, expressive stick figure drawings on every page, Diary is narrated in the pitch-perfect (and hilariously deadpan) voice of a not-always-likeable but totally believable tweener named Greg Heffley. Poised to make the painful transition from elementary to middle school, Greg struggles with the usual preteen angst: bullies and cliques, annoying siblings and clueless parents, faithful friends and cute, unattainable girls.
Although Kinney never intended to publish his book online, when the opportunity arose to serialize Greg's adventures on Funbrain.com, he knew he'd found the perfect way to reach his target audience. In 2004, the comic strip began appearing in daily installments on the website. The feature was a huge hit, attracting thousands of hits a day. Moreover, the online version paved the way to Kinney's five-book deal with the publisher Harry N. Abrams.
Armed with fresh, new story lines, Kinney launched the print sequence in 2007. From the very first installment, entitled simply Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the series was a success -- especially with reluctant readers who found the diary-with-doodles format far more accessible than conventional books. Greg, with his hilarious antics, backfiring schemes, and totally unfiltered thoughts (his mom has agreed not to read what he writes!), has struck a responsive chord -- both with kids who identify with his growing pains and with grownups who vividly recall their own.
Anonymous
Posted Sun Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2008
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i think its very funny, thriling, and entertaining its great for all ages
52 out of 65 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Oct 04 00:00:00 EDT 2008
great book! ive read it ten times!
41 out of 54 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jan 14 00:00:00 EST 2009
I Also Recommend:
My kids kept going on about the Wimpy Kid books. I honestly had never heard of them. But they really love them, so I decided to skim through this one. It was pretty good. It does have a good message about how it is okay to be different. Plus, it has my kids reading...and off the computer for a few minutes. I also got them another book they were wanting called Pumpkin Guts. I know...I know. It is a great book also though. I highly recommend both books.
40 out of 53 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Oct 05 00:00:00 EDT 2008
diary of a wipy kid the last straw rocked my world rodrick is my fav! jeff kinney rocks
29 out of 44 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 2008
Jeff kinney is an awesome and hilarous man and he came out with a third Diary of a wimpy kid im his biggest fan.
24 out of 36 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Sep 25 00:00:00 EDT 2008
this is the best serive ive ever read other then the bible
20 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Boysareboys12
Posted Sat Jan 24 00:00:00 EST 2009
Greg's third year at his middle school is starting to change. He and all the other boys in his class like Holly Hills, because the top three all have boyfriends. But when Greg tries to make a good impression on her, she calls him Fregley. When a girl moves into his neighborhood, his luck has FINALLY changed!
18 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I think this book will be a great one. I bet it will be better then number 1 and number 2 Rodrick rules. I can't wait to read it I am going to be the very first one to lay my hands on it.Jeff Kinney is a great author to me one day I will be a great author just like him<BR/><BR/><BR/>from,Daniella Sinofsky 9 year old girl =-)
15 out of 21 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Dec 28 00:00:00 EST 2008
I think these books are awesome really funny i cant wait till the next one comes out :)
14 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2008
How can you write a review when it doesn't come out until next year???
11 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Nov 09 00:00:00 EST 2008
I've read the past books in the "Diary" series, and I hope this one is as great as the others.
9 out of 14 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 21 00:00:00 EDT 2008
The books are really funny number 3 is going to be funny my favorate characters are manny and gregory and the cheese touch is really funny.
8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sun Sep 07 00:00:00 EDT 2008
Im looking forward to it,and I hope it is as good as book 1,and book 2.
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Greg Heffley isn't self-centered. Really. He just likes thinking of himself in a positive way, though it seems he always gets the bad end of the deal. Middle school is challenging enough. Adding a hippy-skippy mother, a baby of a brother, and reasonably attractive girls just makes the stress lever higher. Greg is trying his hardest to concentrate on the important things, like making his father happy and proud. But being the way he is, Greg is easily distracted, especially by wanting to blow dandelions, playing last minute jokes, and finding who the snack thief is. Told through his own journal and own drawings, Greg shares what it is like to be a wimpy kid.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is too much like real life to not have laugh-out-loud moments. Not only was I giggling at every page, I was full-out belly laughing at Greg's decisions and situations, which made my stomach feel a little weak but my eyes wanting to read more. This book is so realistic in every way: not wanting to get up for the remote because you're in a comfortable position, resisting the urge to blow dandelions (which Greg isn't too good at). It all made so much sense! I shared most every part to my parents and siblings and hearing my mother's laugh, you would know for sure that this book is worth checking out at your library. : )
Contains nothing inappropriate whatsoever.
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jan 28 00:00:00 EST 2009
I Also Recommend:
Diary of a Whimpy Kid 3 Is absolutley genius! It shows how generuos parents can rarely be if we work hard, how weird other poeple and school mates can be, how annoying famly can be, and it tells a little about love. It's just like a real diary and I feel like it could really be someone's life story!
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jan 24 00:00:00 EST 2009
I Also Recommend:
It seems that Jeff Kinney still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve! The Last Straw is definitely one of the best books in the series, filled with non-stop laughs and amazing adventures. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is one of the only series which you can never get tired of!
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Jan 14 00:00:00 EST 2009
I loved this book! It was really funny. Best of all 3 books.
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I can't wait until it comes out. I read the other 2 books and they were pretty great so i know this one will pass all my expectations
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Sep 08 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I havent read it yet but I have read the other to and they are awesome so i think this one will be to
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Sep 06 00:00:00 EDT 2008
I love all of jeff kinney's books, I happen to and I love his books sooo much, they just make me giggle I love everything about his books from Greg to Chirag Giputa!!! I bet this will be a truly awsome book!!!!!!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
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...