Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Author: Jeff Kinney
Narrators: RamÛn de Ocampo
Publisher: Abrams Books
Genre: Comics & Graphic Novels, Humor
Release Date: 11/01/22
Audience: 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
Grade Level: Grades 3 - 8
Series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Language: English
Binding Type: Hardcover
Page Count: 224
Awards: New York Times Best Seller


Description: The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level. Letís face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Gregís father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other ìmanlyî endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his fatherís efforts to change him. But when Gregís dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up . . . or get shipped out. Greg and his family and friends, who make the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books a must-read for middle school readers, are back and at their best in this hilarious new installment of the series, which is sure to please current fans while attracting new ones. Publishers Weekly-1/19/2009:The third book in this genre-busting series is certain to enlarge Kinneyís presence on the bestseller lists, where the previous titles have taken up residence for the past two years. Kinneyís spot-on humor and winning formula of deadpan text set against cartoons are back in full force. This time, Greg starts off on New Yearís Day (he resolves to ìhelp other people improve,î telling his mother, ìI think you should work on chewing your potato chips more quietlyî) and ends with summer vacation. As he fends off his fatherís attempts to make him more of a man (the threat of military school looms), Gregís hapless adventures include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings (ìDear James, You smellî), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and single-handedly wrecking his soccer teamís perfect season. Kinney allows himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the ìracketî childrenís book authors have going. ìAll you have to do is make up a character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a lesson at the end of the book.î Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the exception proving that rule. Ages 8ñ12. (Jan.) F&P level: T