[LM_NET] REVIEW: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw (book 3)

[Pamela Thompson <pthomp@SISD.NET>]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
by Jeff Kinney.
Amulet Books, 2009.
217 pages.

Funnier than the first two installments, this third book in the series is Jeff 
Kinney at his comic best. The plot line follows Greg Heffley during the school 
year; Kinney's illustrations are laugh out loud funny and goofy. The author has 
tapped into the middle school brain of a nerdy, wimpy kid. Greg and his best friend 
Rawley have grand plans for the year--they put together a time capsule and bury it 
in Rawley's yard. The note on the outside reads: "Do not open until time travel is 
possible." Just a few days later, in withdrawal stages from junk food, Greg digs it 
back up to retrieve the $3.00 he buried--he buys chips, a soda, and candy. So much 
for the time capsule.

Greg is now responsible for doing his own laundry, and in typical teen boy style, 
he decides he has enough clothes to last the entire school year if he wears 
everything in his closet. Late in the year, he is running out of clothes, 
especially underwear! He finally breaks down and wears the last pair--a pair of 
Wonder Woman underoos that were given to him at Christmas as a gag gift from his 
Uncle Charlie. Imagine the giggles when Greg's pants fall down and his underoos are 
exposed to the world!

Greg spends every waking moment planning how to say "hi" to a girl he likes. He 
never does get up the nerve, but it's pitifully funny to see him squirm. Greg's dad 
is on a mission to "de-wimpify" his son and it includes sending Greg to military 
school. Greg needs a plan and he needs one fast! Follow the hysterical adventures 
of Greg Heffley--your average wimpy kid. The movie of the first book is due out 
March 19--if it can capture Greg's sense of humor, it should be the first hit of 
the movie season. Recommended for all collections, grades 4 and up. Suitable for 
high school readers who like humor.

Just posted to my blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/



Pamela Thompson, MLIS
Library Media Specialist
Col. John O. Ensor Middle School
13600 Ryderwood
El Paso, TX
915-937-6018
pthomp@sisd.net<mailto:pthomp@sisd.net>

visit my YA novel blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/


"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to 
read." --Groucho Marx

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