Part B - Book Review

The title of the humorous book chosen is Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Dog Days. Fourth book in the series. The author is Jeff Kinney. This cartoon novel is about a boy named Gregory Heffley spending his summer holidays in peculiar means. Whilst everyone is having fun outside in the warm weather, he is in his room playing video games with the curtains drawn closed. This book is based on wit, satire and loads of humour.

One witty event which occurred on a Friday of July in his dairy; Greg’s local pool was “dodgy” according to him. To go from the entrance to the pool, there was section where old people showered (exposed) before they went to swim. Greg loathes it and gets nauseated by looking at them.
So, Greg’s mother, his little brother Manny (3 years old) and Greg go to the local pool. Greg’s mother explains to Greg, Manny was too old to now come with her into the woman’s change room, so he had to go to Boys Change room instead, with Greg (through the shower). So Greg took Manny to the Boys Change room and Manny went straight into the shower. What happened to Greg was the most hilarious experience ever whilst trying to get Manny out.

What I admired about this novel, is its ability of expressing humour and that, in a form of a diary. I especially, admired Greg himself. He has this attitude of ‘don’t tell me what to do’ but eventually ends up doing what he’s been told. But in abnormal, 12 year old manner. The language of the novel is informal. And the novel is written in first person. The plot is also a classic, a holiday for a 12 year old, what are the odds?
Although Greg’s ideal summer holidays is having no responsibilities and rules, Greg’s mother has another vision of an ideal summer holidays. Full of ‘outdoor activities’ and ‘family togetherness’. Greg has a firm prejudice for his system to having a perfect summer holidays against his family’s scheme of summer holidays.

Greg’s entire summer holidays is set to be a humorous, self-confessed and ultimate summer fantasy. Whose way of an ideal summer holidays will become triumphant?

I recommend this book to 12+ years old and reluctant readers because once they read this book, it motivates them to read more, and the motivation is brought through the technique of articulating humour.