The 10 Best Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in February of 2018. Reflecting a lively imagination reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes Bill Watterson, Jeff Kinney has created "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," which both parents and children can enjoy. Comprising more than a dozen titles, the series follows the hilarious, and sometimes relatable, adventures of middle school weakling Greg Heffley. The books feature the author's own illustrations for flavor. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Book 1
2. Rodrick Rules
3. Wrecking Ball
Editor's Notes
February 11, 2020:
The bestselling “Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney has seen hundreds of millions of copies sold, as the relatable protagonist and entertaining drawings entertain middle schoolers and inspire them to read. Fans both cringe and laugh out loud as they take in the relatable misadventures and plights of underdog Greg Heffley in each of the books in the series, which currently are 14 in number. Speaking of which, we felt Wrecking Ball -- the latest installation -- deserved a spot on our list, as it offers a good mix of drama and humor. Unlike most of the other books that are centered around school life, this one focuses more on the conflicts and interactions between members of Greg’s family. When home renovations go awry, our protagonist faces the daunting prospects of both moving to a new house and no longer spending much time with his best friend. Give it a read to see how it all wraps up, and be ready for a surprise or two along the way.
Speaking of Greg’s best friend, we also added a book written from his perspective to our list, called Rowley Jefferson’s Journal. While it’s not officially part of the series, it quickly became a bestseller, as it entertains nicely with many accounts from Rowley of memories of pranks gone awry, imagined encounters with ghosts, and sleepover mishaps the two friends have experienced together over the years.
While it was difficult to remove any title from this list, in order to add in these two newer titles, we took out The Ugly Truth and Dog Days, both of which were humorous and relatable in their own right – but comparably, they might not be in the top 10 titles, either due to popular characters being missing from the story or plotlines that weren’t as compelling as most of the others.
While we're talking books for kids, check out our list of the best Harry Potter box sets for another series that most readers (kids and adults alike) find they just can't put down.
Special Honors
Signed “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Any fan of the series will appreciate the gift of a copy that's been autographed by author Jeff Kinney. These are available online from independent bookstore "An Unlikely Story," which is located in Kinney’s hometown of Plainfield, Massachusetts. Prospective buyers are advised to call to ensure availability of any particular title in a signed copy. When purchasing, be sure to enter “signed copy” in the order comments. anunlikelystory.com
4. The Long Haul
5. Rowley Jefferson’s Journal
6. Hard Luck
7. Double Down
8. Cabin Fever
9. The Last Straw
10. Old School
Karen Bennett lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not writing, she can usually be found practicing yoga or cheering on her kids at soccer games. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s in English, and her writing has been published in various local newspapers, as well as “The Cheat Sheet,” “Illinois Legal Times,” and “USA Today.” She has also written search engine news page headlines and worked as a product manager for a digital marketing company. Her expertise is in literature, nonfiction, textbooks, home products, kids' games and toys, hardware, teaching accessories, and art materials.