(Image from Barnes & Noble)

I know people love Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but I'll tell you the truth (unlike every other day, when I tell you LIES), I don't.  Like it?  Yes.  Love it?  Nope.  My response to the first book baffles my children, who think the whole series is the best thing since commercial-less cartoons (we love you, Netflix!).  Maybe it's because I'm an old fuddy-duddy, but I just wasn't that impressed with the book (in fact, here's my review).  Although my kids have read every story in the series—at least twice—I never got beyond the first installment.  Until my 10-year-old daughter came home from school one day in November, handed me The Third Wheel and said, "[School librarian's name] wants you to write a test for this book.  Tons of kids have been asking for it.  Including me."  Because I can't say no to my daughter, let alone "tons of kids," I got right on it.  And guess what?  Much to my surprise, I rather enjoyed The Third Wheel. 

The Third Wheel is the sixth book in the series (not including The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book and The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary).  Usually, I wouldn't read Book Six without reading Two, Three, Four, and Five, but in a library emergency, sacrifices must be made.  So, I'm not sure how old Greg Heffley is in The Third Wheel or what grade he's currently suffering through (and where is Rodrick, by the way?  Military school?), but he hasn't changed a whole heck of a lot.  He's still trying to fit in at school, still dealing with his embarrassing best friend, and still picking on his kid brother, Manny.  New adventures await around the corner, however.  Soon, he's learning to cope (as only he can) with another round of student elections, having his deadbeat uncle as a permanent roommate, the scratchy school toilet paper, and finding a date to the school dance.  Becuase it's Greg Heffley, the mundane soon becomes the hilarious.

One of my beefs with the first book in the Wimpy series is that it has no real plot.  The various anecdotes made me laugh, but the fact that they didn't come together to create a connected story irritated me.  Since I knew what to expect coming into The Third Wheel, the plotlessness of the book didn't bother me.  I just enjoyed it for what it was—belly laughing, nose snorting, knee slapping fun.  Maybe these books aren't great literature, but they are quick and funny, perfect for handing to reluctant readers or anyone who could use a giggle.  I'm not ready to gush incessantly about this series the way my kids do and, yet, I'm starting to understand the allure.  Millions of kids can't be wrong.  Can they?

(Readalikes:  Other books in the Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney.  Also reminds me of the Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renèe Russell)

Grade:  B

If this were a movie, it would be rated:  PG for some bathroom-type humor

To the FTC, with love:  I borrowed The Third Wheel from my kids' elementary school library as part of my volunteer work with the school's reading program.  

I've watched Hollywood butcher enough novels to know the wisdom of abiding by the timeless adage to Never Judge a Book By Its Movie, but in this case, I think I did. Maybe it's the ole kid to adult lost-in-translation thing, or perhaps because I watched the movie first, the book lost some of its freshness, or who knows? But, when I finally read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, I thought, "Really? This is the book that sends my kids into peals of laughter every time they open it? This is what they've been begging me to read over and over and over?" Between viewing the film and listening to my kids' enthusiastic recommendation, I guess I expected more. Which isn't to say the book's not funny. It is. And I can absolutely see why it appeals to middle grade kids (especially boys) - it's just that I like the movie better. Blasphemy, I know. True, though.

If you're not familiar with the book, it follows Greg as he navigates the treacherous waters of junior high school. As the self-professed wimpy kid tries to blend in with his peers, it quickly becomes apparent that his cool factor needs some upping. It doesn't help that Greg's smaller than his classmates, his best friend Rowley insists (loudly and in public) on asking Greg if he can come over and play, and the only other kid who wants to hang out with him is a boy who likes to chase people around with boogers on his fingers. Clearly, Greg's going to have to reinvent himself. Like now. But freeing himself of excess friend baggage isn't going to be easy. In fact, it's going to hurt a lot more than he could ever imagine.

I've only read the first volume of the Wimpy Kid books (there are 4 more - the newest comes out in November), so I can only assume that Greg's character develops over time instead of Hollywood-fast. As is, he comes off as selfish and heartless in the way he treats Rowley. You can't help feeling sorry for Greg, especially considering he deals with an obnoxious older brother and a humiliating younger one, plus all the degradation that comes with starting junior high, but still ... I wanted to like him more. Between the cartoons Greg draws and his preadolescent sarcasm, the "diary" is funny, upbeat, and quick to read. I totally get why people love it. My kids are just baffled as to why I don't love it as much as they do. Maybe seeing the movie ruined the book for me. I don't know, but I stand by my assessment: Diary of a Wimpy Kid is just okay. Unless you happen to be a middle grader - in that case, it's the best book ever!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid moves so fast that there's no reason not to read it before watching the movie. Just don't be disappointed if the latter feels warmer and more complete than the former. It is. I loved the film. Liked the book alright, but loved the film. Of course, if you happen to have a wimpy kid about to enter middle school, you may want to skip the movie altogether. My son sat through the whole thing going, "Junior High's not really like that, is it?" To which I, of course, replied, "Oh, not at all." Apparently, Greg's not the only one who needs a lesson in truth-telling!

Grade: B-

If this were a movie (and it is!), it would be rated: PG for bathroom humor

To the FTC, with love: Borrowed this one from the kids.