Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Gr 4—8—The wheeling and dealing of Greg Heffley's everyday life continues in the fourth book (Amulet Books, 2009) in Jeff Kinney's series. Unlike the previous stories, which take place during the school year, this one occurs during Greg's summer vacation. His summer plans include remaining indoors and playing video games, and not much else. But his mother has other plans for him, and so begins Greg's summer. His vacation is filled with one trial after another—running up an $83 dollar tab for smoothies at the country club where the father of his friend is a member (he thought the drinks were free), having to work to pay off his debt, starting a business which promptly fails, being frightened after watching a horror movie, bemoaning the fact that his mother starts a book club for boys, and that is just the beginning. Listeners will not have the opportunity to visually enjoy Greg's "handwritten" diary entries accompanied by his cartoon pictures, but they are certain to be entertained by Ramon de Ocampo's wonderful reading that skillfully captures Greg's self-centered, somewhat whining yet humorous angst.—Mary Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH