Benton, Jim. Dear Dumb Dairy #1: Let's Pretend This Never Happened. New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 2004. These humorous diary entries from Jamie Kelly show her as she competes with a girl from school and has a “troll-like” cousin, similar to some of Greg’s friends. Plus, let’s just say, Jamie’s mom is not the best cook.
Russell, Rachel Renee. Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life. New York: Aladdin, 2009. Similarly to Greg, Nikki Maxwell gets embarrassed by her parents and picked on at school and in turn picks on her little sister. The book looks like a diary and contains funny drawings just like Wimpy Kid.
White, Fred. Lifewriting . Sanger: Quill Driver Books, 2004. This book shows how you can begin documenting your own adventures. That’s how Kinney started Wimpy Kid. It was based on his own experience working in a school. documenting your own adventures. That’s how Kinney started Wimpy Kid. It was based on his own experience working in a school.
Humor related books
Pilkey, Dav. Adventures of Captain Underpants. New York: Scholastic, 1997. This is the first in a series of fun happenings between two friends. There are times when the humor is of the bathroom variety, but I think that appeals to a lot of boys.
Pilkey, Dav. The Adventures of Ook and Gluk. New York: Scholastic, 2010. This is a graphic novel set in caveman times, but it contains very entertaining adventures of two friends.
Scieszka, Jon. Time Warp Trio #1: Knights of the kitchen table. New York : Puffin, 1993. Three friends discovery a magic book at travel through time. While it’s not reality based, the humor is as good as Wimpy Kid.
Middle school related books
_ Johnston, Kurt. Middle School Survival Series. Miami: 2010, 2005. This book gives practical advice to middle school aged children. It’s a good accompaniment to the funny Wimpy series (which brings up real issues for kids).
Peirce, Lincoln. Big Nate: In a Class by Himself. New York: Harper, 2010. Nate seems to put his foot in his mouth every chance he gets at school, getting himself in trouble with the teacher and the principal.
Sachar, Louis. Sideways Stories from Wayside School . New York: Avon Books, 1998. This book is part of a hilarious series with unusual characters in a school. I highly recommend this if you like the humor of Wimpy Kid.
Schmidt, Gary. Okay for Now. New York: Clarion, 2011. This title is about a boy that moves to a new town and school and shows funny and serious challenges. He has a brother that is away at war and one at home. I think it’s good to show a family unit where all aren’t living in the same house.
Family related books
Blume, Judy. Superfudge. Miami: Santillana, 1996. In this book, Peter has a younger brother who is a bit unruly. While Greg’s brother Manny isn’t that bad, he can be a thorn in his side.
Scieszka, Jon. Knucklehead. New York: Viking, 2008. This Sciezcka autobiography is extremely funny. Jon grew up in a house full of boys. They loved their parents and each other and had a genuinely great fun childhood, full of laughs. It’s dry like Greg only, Greg seems a bit more annoyed than these brothers. I highly recommend this book.
Friendship related books
Cleary, Beverly. Runaway Ralph. New York: Avon Books, 1991. Runaway Ralph Even though Ralph is a mouse, his siblings can still get on his nerves, like Greg’s. He runs away from them and finds new friends and adventures.
Clements, Andrew. The Report Card. New York: Simon & Schuster Books, 2004. Nora is a great student but when her friend Stephen gets a low grade on state tests, Nora decides to help him feel better. I think Greg helps his friends in a roundabout way often.
Scieszka, Jon. Cowboy and the Octopus. New York: Viking, 2007. Funny and strange short stories about two best friends that happen to be a cowboy and an octopus.
Vernon, Ursula. Dragonbreath. New York: Dial Books, 2009. This is a book about young dragons and their adventures in middles school. There is a strong element of friendship throughout the book.