10 Series Perfect for the Wimpy Kid Fan in Your Life

Middle School series, by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Rafe Khatchadorian likes to live life on the wild side. Middle school brings lots of challenges, but Rafe always has a plan. Unfortunately, those plans often leave a permanent impression, one that younger (and more straitlaced) sister Georgia Khatchadorian does not appreciate having to overcome.

Amelia’s Notebook series, by Marissa Moss
On her ninth birthday, Amelia’s mom gives her a notebook—and and thus begins a series that follows this likable narrator from elementary through middle school. Amelia shares advice for dealing with family road trips, bullies, running for class president, babysitting, and even boys. Her series is like peeking into the diary of your childhood self.

Big Nate series, by Lincoln Peirce
Nate Wright is a comic genius, prankster extraordinaire and all-time record holder for greatest number of detentions at P.S. 38. Whether it’s scouts or sports, bad luck or classroom nemeses, Nate handles it all with a special kind of flair…and just a little bit of mischief.

The Dork Diaries series, by Rachel Renée Russell
Fourteen-year-old Nikki Maxwell has unwillingly landed in a fancy private middle school. She doesn’t fit in with the wealthy elite and worries that somebody will find out she’s only there because her father has arranged her attendance as part of his bug exterminator contract. With the help of new-found friends Zoey and Chloe, Nikki might survive the year, and the uber-popular, ultra snobby Mackenzie Hollister. But it’s not going to be easy. Fortunately, she also has a diary

Treasure Hunters series, by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, and Mark Shulman
The Kidd siblings—Rebecca, Bickford, Storm, and Tommy—are used to adventure. They’ve been traveling the world with their famous shipwreck diver parents since they were little. But when their parents disappear, the Kidds are faced with a whole new kind of swashbuckling adventure. Pirates and treasure, jungles and deserts, these siblings definitely have their hands full. But with a little luck and a lot of courage, hopefully they’ll find a clue that will lead them to their parents

I Funny series, by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Jamie Grimm has big dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. Nothing will stand in his way. Not being the new kid in town, or being wheelchair-bound, or middle school bullies, or any of the multitude of challenges he faces every day. Nope, Jamie’s armed with an arsenal of jokes, comic monologues, and zingy one-liners, and he’s headed straight for the top! The only question is, once he gets there, will he be able to keep it real, or will the fame go to his head?

The Ellie McDoodle Diaries series, by Ruth McNally Barshaw
With her trusty sketchbook and pen, Ellie documents every crazy adventure in her action-packed life, from camping with relatives, to trying out for the soccer team, to pet-sitting a fly-away parrot, to on-stage (and off-stage) drama. Fortunately, each episode teaches Ellie a little bit more about surviving the middle school years…and about herself.

Diary of a Minecraft Zombie series, by Herobrine Books
What is it really like to be a Minecraft Zombie? Minecraft enthusiasts with a sense of humor will love this silly series, which gives us a comical zombie-eye view of the world through the fun, irreverent journal of a 12 year old Zombie. Book one is called A Scare of a Dare.

My Life series, by Janet Tashjian and Jake Tashjian
This series, written and illustrated by a mother and son duo, follows Derek Fallon, a kid who would rather read Calvin and Hobbes than those “real books” his mother—and his school—keep pushing on him. In fact, he’d rather be just about anything else…a stunt double, a cartoonist, a gamer. School and its standardized tests may be a part of life, but Derek’s realizing that there are opportunities everywhere you look, if you’re lucky enough (and brave enough!) to grab them.

Origami Yoda series, by Tom Angleberger
There’s no doubt that Dwight is one of the weirder kids at McQuarrie Middle School. When he fashions a finger puppet origami Yoda, some of his classmates think he’s gone off the deep end. But Origami Yoda seems to be dishing out some excellent advice. Is it possible he really does have some connection to The Force? The students of McQuarrie are divided, and that may not be such a good thing for Dwight or Yoda.