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Kinney, Jeff
15 Reviews
(3)
4-6
In the thirteenth Wimpy Kid installment, Greg suffers through a snowy winter. Smaller escapades featuring pizza-box snowshoes and hiding from the mysterious Goat Man lead up to the grand finale: an all-out snow battle between the Upper Surry Street and Lower Surry Street kids. As usual, the abundant middle-school humor is amplified by Kinney's stick-figure cartoons.
Reviewer: Rachel Marsh
(3)
4-6
Kinney walks readers through the steps of making the franchise's 2017 movie, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. Illustrated with photos and cartoons, the book includes information on casting (both human and animal), scenery, how scenes were shot and sets made, the editing process, and more. This entertaining, cohesive insider's-look should interest Kinney's fans, aspiring moviemakers especially.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
(3)
4-6
In his twelfth adventure, Greg's family goes on a tropical island vacation. In true Wimpy Kid fashion, everything goes wrong--from a screaming baby on the airplane to a giant spider in the hotel room. Things get so bad that the Heffleys eventually have to flee from the resort. Greg's unique comic perspective is supported by Kinney's trademark cartoons on every page.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
(3)
4-6
Greg's mother thinks he's spending way too much time playing video games; she wants him to do something creative, like play the French horn. But Greg's creativity instead leads him to make a horror film, Night of the Night Crawlers. Middle-grade Wimpy Kid fans will find all they're expecting in this eleventh episode: Kinney's trademark cartoons paired with outrageous, audience-perfect humor.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
(3)
4-6
Now in his tenth outing, Greg doesn't want to go on the class trip to Hardscrabble Farms--until he needs a way to escape his father's certain wrath. There's no TV or cell phones, dinner is leftover stew, and rumors suggest there's a dangerous lunatic lurking in the woods. Frequent black-and-white cartoon-style illustrations and (sometimes gross) middle-school humor will engage reluctant readers.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
(3)
4-6
Greg and family embark on an epic road trip in this ninth installment. Mom has visions of an enriching, educational experience--and it's an experience, all right. There are sketchy motels, a baby pig, some trapped and freaked-out seagulls, and lots of family togetherness. "Greg's" crude drawings are a good match for his wry narration. Fans will want to go along for the ride.
Reviewer: Kitty Flynn
(3)
4-6
In this eighth series installment, Greg's best friend Rowley has deserted him for a girl, and Greg has to survive the daily pitfalls of middle school--not to mention a spring-vacation family gathering--without him. The plot here is a little thin, but the middle-school sensibilities and humor remain as authentic as ever. Another treat for reluctant readers.
Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano
(3)
4-6
The process of making the first Wimpy Kid movie in 2010 is chronicled, through text, photos, and illustrations. Many details are included, from the way the actors were chosen to how the moldy cheese was filmed. The clear presentation will be interesting to Kid fans and future filmmakers alike. This edition is revised and expanded to include the second and third productions.
Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.
(3)
4-6
In this seventh Wimpy Kid installment, Greg wants to take a real date to the school dance after having to merengue with Carlos in gym class. All his plans, however, seem to backfire and leave him looking ridiculous--once even wearing his mother's coat. The black-and-white cartoon-style illustrations add to the authentic middle-school humor that is this series' trademark.
Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay
(3)
4-6
With Christmas right around the corner, Greg Heffley's just trying to keep his nose clean. Good intentions notwithstanding, Greg finds himself wanted by the police (or so he thinks; it's sort of true) before a blizzard knocks out power and he's able to redeem himself (by mistake). Kinney provides more laugh-out-loud silliness from the hapless wimpy kid.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(3)
4-6
Diary of a Wimpy Kid was made into a movie in 2010. The process is here chronicled, through text, photos, and illustrations. Many details are included, from the way the actors were chosen to how the moldy cheese was filmed. The process is explained clearly and will be interesting to new and seasoned Kid fans and future filmmakers alike.
Reviewer: Betsy Murray
(3)
4-6
Greg, fighting with Rowley, tries for new friends. Preoccupied with puberty, Greg wishes his immature classmates would outgrow their "wild animals" phase. Thin plotting makes the story's resolution almost an afterthought. However, as usual, visual and verbal humor abound, and the issue of puberty is discussed honestly without going into details that might make readers (or their parents) squeamish.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
(3)
4-6
In this fourth series entry, it's summer, and Greg's mom is determined that the Heffley family will spend some quality time together--bad news for the wimpy kid, who prefers to be "in front of the TV, playing video games with the curtains closed and the lights turned off." As usual, Greg's narration and accompanying almost-stick-figure cartoon illustrations are laugh-out-loud funny.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(2)
4-6
In the same hand-printed format as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, with cartoons punctuating every page, Greg's angst is on display as he attempts to navigate middle school with some sort of dignity. Greg might not be the most reliable narrator, but he certainly reports life as a middle brother with humor and the appropriate amount of whiny pessimism.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2008
(3)
4-6
"First of all, let me get something straight: This is a JOURNAL, not a diary." Greg Heffley chronicles a year of middle school through hilarious journal entries and accompanying cartoon sketches. His experiences--having to perform in a school play, dealing with bullies and changing friendships--are made fresh by Greg's over-the-top narration. Kinney's writing and illustrations are filled with laugh-out-loud kid humor.
Reviewer: Becky Levine
15 reviews
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