Author: Jeff Kinney
Book Link

In my further attempt to savagely read and recommend books to my students so… you know… they might take an interest in reading as well… I picked up this best seller.

I heard it was fun and based on the general look of it, realized it would only take me a day or two to finish (it would be faster but I just had a second kid, so life’s a bit busy around here).

What I didn’t realize is the fun factor of this book is through the roof.

There was something enjoyable about every page, from the cartoons scattered throughout to the random musings of our heroic protagonist – Greg Heffley. I was glued to every word and found myself quickly sneaking a few lines here and there while I committed to my dad duty of rocking a gas-filled baby.

Quick synopsis: Greg is a middle-schooler and he writes about the experience from being part of the nerdy crowd.

It didn’t occur to me until the end of the book, but Kinney managed to do something I never thought possible: he made me feel like I just read the spiritual sequel to Calvin & Hobbes. That is not a light compliment coming from me. The wit and the hilarity oozing through each page is a testament to the skill of this amazing author.

I’m tempted to pick up the entire series for myself and have my students go scourge through the library hold system to get their own, but chances are somebody they know has a copy they could borrow.

Maybe I’m the last person to read it (I also haven’t watched The Walking Dead or finished Stranger Things, so this is a strong possibility), but if I’m not and you’re reading this review… read the book instead.