Poster available from the ALA store on their websiteAuthor/Illustrator: Jeff Kinney
Plot Summary: In the third book of the series, Greg Heffly continues to muddle through the trials and tribulations of middle school. Between girls, his brother, and his Dad's wacky idea about military school, he always seems to maintain his sense of humor.
Comments: These books are funny in a 5th grade boy sort of way. The audio book used really funny voices which made it even better. Although we have some of this series in our library(k-3,) it's not really that appropriate for children under fourth or fifth grade. Many of the students want to check it out just because it's popular and looks funny; I don't think they really understand it. I did learn more about it from the author's website.
Extensions:
1. As the author began as a cartoonist, the language arts teacher could collaborate with the art teacher to have the students create humorous cartoons. I would talk about humor and give examples of humorous literature and cartoons. The assignment would be to create a humorous cartoon. There would have to be guidelines for language, content, etc. It could be a single frame or a sequence.
2. In an author interview on the author's website, he affirms why his books appeal to young people. One is that they are funny but two is that they include stories that a very real and that students can understand and relate to. After reading the book, or doing a read aloud(this would be questionable,) students would write about some aspect of their life that they can find humor in. Students may share their pieces and discuss how humor can be a positive way to deal with life's challenges.
3. According to an interview on the website, the series will be made into a live action, feature film. Students will write what they think should be included in the film version. They will need to explain whay they choose.
Themes/keywords: middle schools, schools, family life, diaries, humorous stories, humorous fiction.
Age/Reading Level: 5 - 8; ATOS 5.4; Follett 6.1; Lexile 970
Standards:
(Includes similar standards for 5th and 6th grade)
ELA4R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
ELA4R2 The student consistently reads at least twenty-five books or book equivalents (approximately 1,000,000 words) each year. The materials should include traditional and contemporary literature (both fiction and non-fiction) as well as magazines, newspapers, textbooks, and electronic material. Such reading should represent a diverse collection of material from at least three different literary forms and from at least five different writers.
ELA4W1 The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals a satisfying closure.
Publisher's Info: Amulet Books, New York. 2009. This publisher specializes in books for middle grade readers. There were some interesting titles listed on their website.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8109-7068-7
ISBN-10: 0-8109-7068-6
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 07/01/09 | School Library Journal 04/01/09 |
| Booklist 02/01/09 |
Sequal to a New York Times Bestseller
Genre/Dewey: Fiction
Websites:
Author's website
Jeff Kinney began writing the "Wimpy Kid" books as cartoon installments on a website called Funbrain. Click here to see the latest installment. He realized he could reach more kids by published. The books are based on the website but are not exactly the same.
Notes for Booktalk: what makes the book funny?, listen to the audio book
Vocabulary:
Comments