What kids read: 'The Third Wheel' (Diaries of a Wimpy Kid series) by Jeff Kinney
BY Staff Reports
Sunday, December 09, 2012
12/09/12 at 3:11 AM
Cupid is not hitting the heart of Greg Heffley, who misspeaks and missteps on his path to the middle-school Valentine's Day dance.
The seventh book in Jeff Kinney's best-selling "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series is on the must-have list for tween literature this holiday season.
In "The Third Wheel" (Abrams, $13.95), Greg fails in his attempts to find a date to the dance, showing his usual lack of self-awareness and clumsiness with girls.
He takes advice from his uncle Gary, who suggests using a "wingman" for help.
Greg and his best friend Rowley decide on being "wingmen." Fans of the series can guess how well that turns out.
Boys are particularly drawn to the series, but the stories resonate with girls, as well. Kinney's knack for finding the funny in everyday life from an early teen's perspective keeps the series fresh.
With more than 75 million "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books in print in 35 languages, young readers are responding to the offbeat, coming-of-age antics described in the seemingly handwritten, diary-like entries.
In "The Third Wheel," the boys find out that going to a family restaurant is an un-romantic choice and wearing a "retro" jacket from an elderly relative may have some drawbacks.
Greg discovers he is not baby-sitter material, and his mother makes a memorable appearance with her old house coat.
The book jumps between flashbacks and the current storyline more than others in the series, but it all comes together in the end.
Original Print Headline: Many bumps in the road for this 'Wheel'
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