Diary of a Wimpy Kid

It is the most sought after, fought after, checked out and re-checked out book in the library by girls, boys, first graders through to seventh graders. Now is the time to confess . I have to be completely honest about this book...I hadn't read the whole first one through until last weekend! I had checked out the website, read a few chapters, flicked through it, watched half the movie on a long haul flight over the summer, watched interviews with Jeff Kinney, and basically knew the general theme of the book but I hadn't actually read the thing....until last weekend. I have got to say that I did several things while reading;

1. I laughed out loud - a lot!
2. I chuckled to myself - a lot!
3. I had to read parts to my husband - just to prove how funny (and true) the book is.
   
4. I made lots of text to self connections - I think most people who have been through upper elementary and middle school will have something to connect to in this book.
   
5. I understood and empathized with Greg.
   

As I was reading I realised that all these first graders that drag their parents into the library to check out Diary of the Wimpy Kid (because I won't let them take it during library time), will have no clue what is going on in this book, have no prior knowledge, no connection, no understanding. It must be a very boring bed time story for those parents and children. I suppose they know that it is popular, see that it is popular and just want to be part of it.

So, first one down and I'm onto number 2 and so far it is just as engaging as the first.