Middle school students love Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the humorous “novel in cartoons,” and I predict they’ll like the second book in the series Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, just as much. My grandson, Hayden, started middle school this year. He is not that interested in reading, so when he enthusiastically recommended I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which he owned, and buy him a copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, I was intrigued. I read the books and found them hilarious. Written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney, they are in the form of a diary in which middle school student Greg Haffley recounts his daily life, using both words and pictures. Greg may not be much of a role model, but his schemes and their results are a riot. Kids really identify with Greg and his problems (and goofiness) as he deals with bullies, friendship, schoolwork, and family life. I recommend the series for ‘tweens and younger teens.

(Cover art courtesy of Amulet Books, An Imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.)