DIARY OF A WIMPY KID - Jeff Kinney

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Wikipedia

I happened to come across this book at a bookstore sometime back and the first thing that caught my eyes was the stick figures along with big fonts that mimicked handwriting. I knew it was for kids, but picked it up anyway (the cover does play a role at times!). And the book is pure pleasure!

 Greg Heffley, the protagonist, is a kid in middle school who is subjected to bullying at home by his elder brother and at school by his peers. He is the typical weakling, the middle in a family of three kids and a coward with a lack of perseverance. So throughout the books, he tries to become someone who can't be bullied. In the process, he tries for shortcuts to success; takes advantage of his best friend’s simplicity, bullies his own younger brother, lies to his parents and teachers to name a few. He is not a character everyone would like, but you definitely end up empathizing with him. Also, the book is meant for kids and hence, the good part is it retains the goodness when all of Greg's plans backfire and he has to/is made to do the right thing.

 The writing is extremely simple and colloquial, believable to have been written by a kid in his 'journal' (not a diary; as he makes clear in the beginning of the book). The most fun part is the situational comedies that wonderfully capture the workings of a child’s mind. Also, the storyline makes you reminisce your own school days.

 Anyhow, the best part of the book is the illustrations. The witty doodles do a great job at aptly representing circumstances. Although it is over 200 pages, the jocular incidents like ‘Zoo wee Mama’ cartoons, thank you cards for unwanted Christmas presents and The Cheese Touch, and the doodles make you finish the book too quickly.

 Yes, it is meant for kids; but is good to pass away time when all you want is to have a good laugh!

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