Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel.

Kinney, Jeff.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel. Amulet see Abrams, Harry  2012  216p      $13.95  978-1-4197-0584-7  elm/ms  Realistic Fiction  VG

0nce again the middle-school gods seem to be aligned against Greg Heffley.  As in all the previous novels, he manages to court havoc and end up without a date for the Valentine’s Day Dance.  When he miraculously finds a date at the last minute, readers know that he will find some way to make the entire situation into a disaster.  The humor will appeal to younger readers, both at the elementary and middle-school levels, especially in the scene where the senior-citizens group takes over the dance.  Kinney’s illustrations are always perfect for the text, and the entire package will appeal to even the most reluctant reader.  This novel is a must-have for elementary and middle-school libraries.

Humor–Fiction, Friendship–Fiction, Diaries-Fiction    --Pat Naismith