Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories (Awesome Friendly Kid)

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series follows Greg Heffley, a middle schooler chronicling his daily life in a humorous, illustrated journal. Greg faces typical tween struggles—friendship troubles, embarrassing parents, school drama—but often makes selfish or misguided choices in his attempts to climb the social ladder. The series is known for its lighthearted, relatable humor and accessible format, making it a favorite among kids, especially reluctant readers. However, Greg’s morally questionable behavior and lack of personal growth have been points of criticism.

Recommendation:
This series is an entertaining, easy read for kids who enjoy humor, mischief, and middle school antics. While Greg is not the most admirable protagonist, the books capture the awkwardness of growing up with a mix of wit and sarcasm. Best suited for readers who can appreciate Greg’s flaws without taking them as behavioral cues.

Ideal for:

• Readers ages 8–12 (Grades 3–7)
• Fans of humorous, illustrated books like Big Nate and Dork Diaries
• Reluctant readers looking for engaging, diary-style storytelling

Stylistic Features:

• First-person diary format with casual, conversational writing
• Simple, cartoonish black-and-white illustrations
• Humor based on middle school struggles, pranks, and social awkwardness

Content Warnings:
According to Common Sense Media, parents should be aware that Greg frequently engages in dishonest, selfish, and occasionally mean-spirited behavior, often without consequences. While intended as humor, some younger readers may need guidance to distinguish between Greg’s antics and appropriate real-life behavior.

Books in the Series:

Books in the Series:

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #2: Rodrick Rules (2008)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #3: The Last Straw (2009)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #4: Dog Days (2009)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #5: The Ugly Truth (2010)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #6: Cabin Fever (2011)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #7: The Third Wheel (2012)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #8: Hard Luck (2013)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #9: The Long Haul (2014)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #10: Old School (2015)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #11: Double Down (2016)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #12: The Getaway (2017)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #13: The Meltdown (2018)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #14: Wrecking Ball (2019)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #15: The Deep End (2020)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #16: Big Shot (2021)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17: Diper Överlöde (2022)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #18: No Brainer (2023)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid #19: Hot Mess (2024)