1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Book 1, 2007)
Why we love it:
- It’s an introduction to Greg Heffley, an unlikely hero that most families can relate to.
- It had us laughing out loud more than once.
Greg finds himself navigating middle school surrounded by popular kids. He relies on his best friend Rowley’s newfound popularity until his attempts to leverage it for his own gain strain their friendship, leading to comedic misadventures chronicled in Greg's illustrated diary entries. Despite Greg's initial reluctance to diary writing, his candid and humorous reflections offer a window into the challenges of growing up unprepared. The first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid (DOAWK) series sets the tone for the rest of the series and invites readers into Greg Heffley’s world through comedic journal entries.
2. Rodrick Rules (Book 2, 2008)
Why we love it:
- Anyone with a sibling can relate to it.
- Even funnier than the first book!
Determined to keep his summer holiday mishaps secret, Greg enters the new school year. Unfortunately, when you have an older brother, your secrets find a way of getting out, especially when they’re written in a diary… The second book in the series, Rodrick Rules, is even funnier than the first as you eagerly turn the pages to see secrets unravel.
3. The Last Straw (Book 3, 2009)
Why we love it:
- It portrays a relatable father-son dynamic as we see they’re not too dissimilar after all.
- Balances humour with heartfelt moments.
Book three follows Greg’s father, Frank, attempting to toughen up his son through sports and other ‘manly’ activities. Of course, Greg consistently evades his dad’s efforts until threatened with military academy. Greg’s forced to reconsider his wimpy ways and face the consequence of being sent away if he doesn’t shape up. This is another fun, easy read with hilarious sketches to aid in the storytelling and is poignant in depicting the bond between parents and children.
4. Dog Days (Book 4, 2009)
Why we love it:
- It’s a great summer read for any kid with relatable summer adventures and a hilarious sleepover scene.
- The book explores the ups and downs of family life, offering touching moments of connection and understanding amidst the chaos of summer holidays.
It’s summer, the sun is shining and everyone is having fun outside. Except for Greg Heffley. Greg prefers spending his summer indoors playing video games, but his mum has different ideas, she dreams of summer’s filled with outdoor activities and family bonding. The question is, whose ideal summer vacation will prevail? Or will a new addition to the family alter the dynamics altogether? Dog Days is arguably one of the best in the series as it addresses universal themes such as friendship, self-discovery, and the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones and is such an easy, quick and fun read that’s perfect for reading on holiday.
5. The Ugly Truth (Book 5, 2010)
Why we love it:
- Reminds us of a time when all we wanted was to grow up.
- A fun and important exploration of the social pressures teens feel.
As Greg Heffley wishes he was grown up, he discovers the challenges of boy-girl parties, more responsibilities, and personal changes without his loyal friend Rowley by his side, prompting him to navigate these obstacles alone and confront the harsh realities of growing up. With a coming-of-age feel, The Ugly Truth is relatable for many pre-teens as it fearlessly delves into the awkward and sometimes embarrassing aspects of growing up, offering a candid portrayal of the challenges faced by tweens like Greg Heffley. And with the usual humour that makes these books so addicting, it's a great read after Dog Days.
6. Cabin Fever (Book 6, 2011)
Why we love it:
- The family dynamic of the Heffley family at home had us in stitches.
- The most christmassy of all the DOAWK series
Greg Heffley is accused of damaging school property, leading to impending trouble with the authorities, but when a surprise blizzard traps his family indoors for the holidays, Greg realises that facing punishment might be preferable to enduring confinement with his family… With a Christmassy feel to it, Cabin Fever had us hooked from the beginning as we learned more about Greg’s family, especially his younger brother Manny! Jeff Kinney's witty writing and relatable scenarios make Cabin Fever a humorous exploration of the challenges of winter break, from cabin fever to unexpected snow day shenanigans.
7 The Third Wheel (Book 7, 2012)
Why we love it:
- It's a brilliantly relatable and comical story of a romance gone wrong.
- We learn more about Greg’s childhood.
Greg Heffley faces the chaos of middle school romance as he desperately searches for a date for the Valentine's Day dance, only to have his plans upended by an unexpected turn of events. This leaves his best friend Rowley feeling left out, but ultimately teaches them both that love can be unpredictable.
8. Hard Luck (Book 8, 2013)
Why we love it:
- Shows a realistic portrayal of friendships in school.
- We love the fun quiz on how well you know your friend at the end.
In book number eight of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Greg grapples with his best friend ditching him and the challenge of making new friends in middle school. To try and change his luck, Greg embarks on a risky endeavour of leaving his fate to chance. Amidst the laughter, Hard Luck offers poignant moments of introspection and self-discovery as Greg grapples with feelings of loneliness, insecurity, and the search for belonging. It is a testament to middle school friendships and the decisions you have to make as a kid, and we loved it.
9. The Long Haul (Book 9, 2014)
Why we love it:
- It has genuine laugh-out-loud moments.
- It’s a nice break from the school and home setting usually found in the series.
Despite Greg wanting to spend his summer in front of the TV, the Heffley family’s road trip begins with high hopes. This soon descends into chaos with hungry seagulls, a fender bender, and a runaway pig… turning the journey into a memorable, albeit disastrous, adventure that Greg Heffley reluctantly embraces. We love this book in the DOAWK series because it’s a welcome change up from the school and home setting where most of the books are set.
10. Old School (Book 10, 2015)
Why we love it:
- The intertwining stories from farming mishaps to wild encounters with wildlife kept us entertained from start to finish.
- The twist at the camp was hilarious.
As his town voluntarily unplugs and goes *old school*, Greg struggles to adapt to an old-fashioned way of life. Tensions rise both at home and in the community, forcing Greg to find a way to survive without the convenience of the digital age. Amidst the humour, Old School offers timeless lessons and insight into the value of simplicity, the power of human connection, and the importance of embracing change, making it a fun and memorable DOAWK addition from Jeff Kinney that kept us on our toes and feeling nostalgic.
11. Double Down (Book 11, 2016)
Why we love it:
- This book beautifully captures the awkwardness and uncertainty of those weird tween years.
- The witty humour and relatable characters that lead us through a series of entertaining and mischievous adventures.
Under pressure from his mum to put down the video game controller and explore his creative side, Greg Heffley attempts to make a scary movie to prove himself and become rich and famous. As challenges mount and unexpected twists arise, he finds himself facing double trouble as he strives for success while navigating the complexities of family and school life. There are double the laughs and double the fun in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down, as we see the ups and downs of school life, resonating with readers of all ages.
12. The Getaway (Book 12, 2017)
Why we love it:
- Perfectly captures the stress of a family holiday, which is hilarious for kids and relatable for parents.
- It was equal parts gripping and funny!
In book number 12 of Jeff Kinney's DOAWK series, the Heffley family seeks refuge from the cold weather by embarking on a tropical island vacation. Hoping for a rejuvenating escape, Greg and his family anticipate a few days of relaxation in paradise. However, their dream getaway quickly turns into a nightmare as they experience heatstroke, stomach troubles and unexpected encounters with venomous creatures, threatening to derail their vacation plans. Another change from the typical school shenanigans this perfectly captures the stress and comedy of a family holiday gone wrong, making it both relatable and funny for parents and kids.
13. The Meltdown (Book 13, 2018)
Why we love it:
- A good wintery escape from school.
- The war between the neighbouring kids is fun for younger readers.
A snowstorm shuts down Greg’s middle school, which can only mean one thing: a snowball fight. Amidst rival groups fighting over territory, Greg and loyal friend Rowley find themselves caught in the middle of an epic snowball fight amongst huge snow forts. The pair must navigate through shifting alliances and betrayals, putting their friendship, and survival skills, to the test. As always, Kinney's signature blend of text and illustrations adds depth and humour to the story, bringing the snowy landscape and its inhabitants to life with vivid detail and expressive character designs, enhancing the reading experience and drawing readers further into Greg's hilarious escapades.
14. Wrecking Ball (Book 14, 2019)
Why we love it:
- The relatable family dynamics that lead to a series of entertaining and chaotic misadventures.
- An important lesson in appreciating what you already have.
When the Heffley family unexpectedly inherited some money, they decided to improve their home. What could go wrong? With renovations underway, they encounter some rotten wood, unwelcome insects, and something much more sinister. The adventures of Greg and his family are funny and ring true to reality - to some extent! From DIY disasters to unexpected discoveries, "Wrecking Ball" is packed with laugh-out-loud moments and humorous surprises that keep readers entertained from start to finish. Plus there’s a bonus addition of Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal to devour.
15. The Deep End (Book 15, 2020)
Why we love it:
- A fun and relatable portrayal of family dynamics.
- The illustrations in this book are some of our favourite from the whole series.
The Deep End follows Greg and his family as they embark on a cross-country camping trip. However, their plans veer off course when they become stranded at an RV park that falls short of their expectations. As challenges arise and the weather takes a turn for the worse, the Heffleys must navigate rising waters and looming disasters, leaving them to question whether they can salvage their vacation or if they're already in over their heads. Book number 15 is another Heffley family with luck once again departing them as they go on a family trip. This book feels a little more like a sequel to the other books than some of the others, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t stand on its own if you want to pick it up without reading the others.
16. Big Shot (Book 16, 2021)
Why we love it:
- It explores some weighty themes like ambition, competition, and the pursuit of success.
- An important reminder that it’s okay to make mistakes on the journey to finding ourselves.
Sports and Greg Heffley don’t mix. But Greg reluctantly gives sports one more chance at his mum’s request and signs up for basketball, anticipating failure but unexpectedly makes the cut in the worst team. As the season unfolds, we follow Greg and his underdog teammates as they face daunting odds. We love Diary of a Wimpy Kid and we love underdog stories, so this book is a match made in heaven for us. It has all the important topics within underdog stories, such as perseverance and giving your best without losing the fun and comedy that is the signature of Kinney’s writing.
17. Diper Överlöde (Book 17, 2022)
Why we love it:
- Greg and a school band is comedy gold dust.
- We get to see more of Rodrick and his band.
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series continues with book number 17 as Greg embarks on a journey towards fame and glory by joining his brother Rodrick’s band: Löded Diper. It’s no surprise that Greg has always wanted to be rich and famous, as we learn right at the beginning of the series, but Greg quickly discovers that the rock and roll lifestyle is far from glamorous. Late nights, unpaid gigs, conflicts within the band, and financial troubles are among Greg’s realisations, but he’s determined to help the band achieve their aspirations of becoming legendary musicians. This is for the dreamers and great for fans of Rodrick and his band.
18. No Brainer (Book 18, 2023)
Why we love it:
- It covers a number of real-life issues in schools, such as book banning and school budget cuts.
- Underneath it, it has a really important moral to the story about the unexpected effect that the choices you make can have.
Greg Heffley finds himself faced with the daunting task of saving his struggling school from closure in No Brainer. Initially indifferent to the idea of the school shutting down, Greg's perspective shifts when he realises he'll be separated from his best friend, Rowley. Greg rallies his classmates to join forces in a race against time to rescue their beloved school from permanent closure. There are some interesting points about a lack of funding for schools in this book, and the illustrations are as entertaining as always.
19. Hot Mess (Book 19, 2024)
Why we love it:
- The seamless blend of humour and heart.
- A must-read that left us smiling long after turning the final page.
The latest instalment of Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a hilarious summer escapade. The Heffley family find themselves in a comical conundrum when they agree to visit both Mum and Dad’s relatives at the same time over the summer holidays. With Greg caught in the middle, the family embark on a crazy mission to pull off being in two places at once. A true classic, with Kinney’s signature wit still shining through.
Enjoy!
Whether you or your child are a newcomer to the series or seasoned fans looking to revisit your favourite moments, reading it in the perfect order lets you immerse yourself in Greg Heffley's world and experience the laughter and adventure that have made the series a timeless classic.
Happy reading!
