Diary of a wimpy kid: Partypooper by Jeff Kinney

The countdown is on to Greg Heffley’s birthday. Unfortunately, not only has he failed to invite his friends to his party, he’s been busy working out what to wish for on his special day.  With his family seemingly preoccupied with a multitude of other activities, Greg realises that a surprise party is being planned…or is it? As his dreams dissolve, he decides that all he really wants is to receive a rare trading card that’s worth lots of money, and works hard to ensure this plan comes to fruition. Will he be successful or not?

As a teacher librarian, I’ve spent almost two decades issuing the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series to eager readers but, despite the simplicity of these books, have never read a single title. Finally, with the release of this title, the 20th in the series, I’ve read my first Jeff Kinney book and totally understand the appeal.

Published in a large, bold font, appearing to have been written on lined notebook, and interspersed with a multitude of simple, cartoon style illustrations, this series is easily accessible for emergent readers to those older readers who might otherwise be disinclined to pick up a book. There is a lot of humour included as we are shown what goes on in the head of young male, with nothing going quite as Greg has planned. Many readers would find it easy to relate to the story, hoping to have a positive resolution for the protagonist, in the belief that they too could experience the same. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, easily devoured in a single sitting but with enough detail in the illustrations to make it worth revisiting and investigating the humour more closely.

Themes: Family, Friends, Fitting in, Wishes.

Jo Schenkel