4.44

3

Feb 25, 2016

So my husband and I visited my sister and her family and the first room I checked when we got there was my niece’s and of course the first thing I inspected was her bookshelf. She probably noticed me maliciously eyeing this one. Good, sensible eight year old handed it to me even before I could say a word. *wipes tears*

This is exactly what I needed after the heartbreak I went through with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a mindless, comic read. Greg tries his best to find a date for
So my husband and I visited my sister and her family and the first room I checked when we got there was my niece’s and of course the first thing I inspected was her bookshelf. She probably noticed me maliciously eyeing this one. Good, sensible eight year old handed it to me even before I could say a word. *wipes tears*

This is exactly what I needed after the heartbreak I went through with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a mindless, comic read. Greg tries his best to find a date for Valentine’s Day. It was a total disaster. There’s chicken pox, pantsing, a head stuck in a chair and many other messes involved. Wicked! *Stop intruding, Ron Weasley!*
...more

5

Jul 13, 2016

AND I'm done!

A total riot.

This one, the seventh in the last 20 days says some things.

First : Jeff Kinney is a total ROCKSTAR . He has mastered the art of writing great episodes one after the other.

Second : I am a lifetime fan. No proofs needed.

Third : There's always something or the other thing trolling Greg. I can assure you that no square inch of the book turned out as boring. None.

Fourth : The third wheel or the stepney, your life never fails to get hold of the funny bone. May true love

AND I'm done!

A total riot.

This one, the seventh in the last 20 days says some things.

First : Jeff Kinney is a total ROCKSTAR . He has mastered the art of writing great episodes one after the other.

Second : I am a lifetime fan. No proofs needed.

Third : There's always something or the other thing trolling Greg. I can assure you that no square inch of the book turned out as boring. None.

Fourth : The third wheel or the stepney, your life never fails to get hold of the funny bone. May true love bless you in the future editions. *Amen*

Fifth : Uncle Gary is the star! A kickass character.




The chicken pox fear stifling Mr. Greg Heffley was represented like a pro. The end is hilariously fine tuned.

So fine tuned that you're just counting days for the next novel to hit the stores. Guess this is what will happen to me when my GR counter hits the 10th book of this series.

Love is surely in the air. Ummm...not in a way we see it the traditional sense though.



Now this is why I absolutely love this series. Who would have brought out the subject of being in your mother's womb and having to endure all those unintentional eavesdropping sessions of your parents. The representation and the cartoon play makes you roll up in the bundles.



Verdict : Diary of a Wimpy Kid, You Beauty !! ...more

3

Apr 30, 2012

No way! This comes out on my birthday!



May 17 Update: Ahhh joke's on me. It's the day AFTER my birthday now.

August 3 Update: AHAHAHA publication on this book is trollin' me, it's being released on my birthday again. NOVEMBER 13, YEAAAH.


It was okay... Definitely not as funny as the first ones.

4

Sep 17, 2014

The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, #7), c2011, Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel is a 2012 bestselling children's novel and the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by American author Jeff Kinney. Kinney announced the book in March 2012, with The Third Wheel's cover revealed in May 2012. The book was released on November 13, 2012.
After talking about what his life was like from before he was born to his preschool years, Greg explains some of the parenting The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, #7), c2011, Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel is a 2012 bestselling children's novel and the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by American author Jeff Kinney. Kinney announced the book in March 2012, with The Third Wheel's cover revealed in May 2012. The book was released on November 13, 2012.
After talking about what his life was like from before he was born to his preschool years, Greg explains some of the parenting methods his mother has tried on Manny and how Manny has been affected by those methods, which are different from what Greg's was. Then, Abigail Brown, who is alone after her boyfriend, Michael Sampson, had a family obligation. Greg asks Rowley to ask Abigail to go with them as a group of friends; she agrees. Greg's idea is to use Rowley to get him a girlfriend, so he can go on a date with her.
At the dance, their night is ruined when senior citizens overrun their dance, claiming they reserved the dance area first, but they compromise things that ruin the theme, such as lights, no more music and a partition severing half the gym. Michael Sampson even arrives with Cherie Bellanger. Michael was supposed to go with Abigail, and he may have lied, and both Abigail and Sampson probably did not expect the other to be at the dance. Finally, while dancing with Abigail, Greg spots what looks like chicken pox marks on her face. It only turns out she had pimples when she was crying over Michael, but Greg panics, leaving Abigail crying and Rowley comforting her. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: بیست و ششم ماه سپتامبر سال 2012 میلادی
عنوان: خاطرات یک بیعرضه: جلد 7، دفترچه قهوه ای؛ نویسنده و تصویرگر: جف کینی؛ مترجم: ندا شادنظر؛ مشخصات نشر: تهران، ایران بان، چاپ نخست 1392، در 224 ص، مصور، فروست: خاطرات یک بیعرضه جلد 7، شابک جلد 7: 9786001881374؛ چاپ دوم 1392؛ موضوع: داستانهای فکاهی مصور، دفترچه های خاطرات، مدرسه ها، داستان؛ گروه سنی ب و ج
رمان طنز در قالب ادبیات داستانی به صورت دفترچه خاطرات پسری به نام گرگ هفلی نوشته جف کینی است. ا. شربیانی ...more

5

Nov 28, 2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I recently started reading this book and so far I really liked it when Greg was talking about his life in his mom's belly. He was doing backflips and summer salts while he was in her belly. I was also surprised to read that Greg's pacifier was a hand me down from his brother, Roderick, because that is just gross.
I think Greg feels lovestruck because whenever he is around this girl named Holly Hills, he acts like she's some kind of glistening rainbow. I was really excited when Greg asked Holly I recently started reading this book and so far I really liked it when Greg was talking about his life in his mom's belly. He was doing backflips and summer salts while he was in her belly. I was also surprised to read that Greg's pacifier was a hand me down from his brother, Roderick, because that is just gross.
I think Greg feels lovestruck because whenever he is around this girl named Holly Hills, he acts like she's some kind of glistening rainbow. I was really excited when Greg asked Holly out but she said,"no." I hope Greg will find someone else other than Holly, who likes him for what he is, but I guess I have to read more to find out.



I just finished this book and I was suprised to find that Greg's best friend Rowly started to date Greg's dream girl, Holly, and Greg became the third wheel. I think Greg is mad at Rowly because he started dating Holly when he should have. If it were me, I would be mad for the same exact reason, and I would try to get back at Rowly.
I felt bad for Greg when he got the chicken pox because that is just bad luck when you are in the middle of trying to impress a girl. This book was really interesting and had lots of exciting and funny journeys with Greg,Holly,and Rowly being part of the picture. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens.
...more

5

Sep 24, 2012

I'm so exited for the book!

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Update: Finished reading! It lasted me two days. Thank you Ryan for checking it out from the libary for me!!! (Little brother)

4

Jun 26, 2013

This book was GREAT!!! It talk about Greg's life in the start then when you start reading more to it it goes from gregs life to his dance. But you should see what happens to him in the end. I could go on because this is the BEST diary of a wimpy kid book. I Kenny Hernandez could relate to Gregs life. Knowing from Greg that stuff goes great to bad is just like me because I may be in first then come in last. But my point is that this book is THE BEST!!! give this book a 10!!!!!

4

Jan 18, 2017

Finished reading! It lasted me only two days. It was FUNNY, well- written, easy and quick read. Of course, this is for children but I don't care i read EVERYTHING!!
••
It talk about Greg's life in the start then when you start reading more to it it goes from gregs life to his dance. But you should see what happens to him in the end.
••
I can relate to this character, i know what it feels like to only have one true friend . This book is for ppl who want to laugh out loud. I highly recommend it. And Finished reading! It lasted me only two days. It was FUNNY, well- written, easy and quick read. Of course, this is for children but I don't care i read EVERYTHING!!
••
It talk about Greg's life in the start then when you start reading more to it it goes from gregs life to his dance. But you should see what happens to him in the end.
••
I can relate to this character, i know what it feels like to only have one true friend . This book is for ppl who want to laugh out loud. I highly recommend it. And I'm thinking of buying all the series. But I don't know when cz right now I'm BROKE and pretty sure my mom would kill me if i bought another book right now ...more

0

Jan 12, 2013

I am currently reading a book called The Third Wheel by Jeff Kiney. So far my favorite character is Manny, a.k.a 3 year old devil. I like Manny because he is so clever and I have never experienced a little brother. He gets Greg in trouble a lot and I feel bad for him. He does things that I would have never thought a 3 year old could do. If I could change one thing about Manny, I would change his social life skills, because he should have real friends, so that he doesn't bully Greg so much, that I am currently reading a book called The Third Wheel by Jeff Kiney. So far my favorite character is Manny, a.k.a 3 year old devil. I like Manny because he is so clever and I have never experienced a little brother. He gets Greg in trouble a lot and I feel bad for him. He does things that I would have never thought a 3 year old could do. If I could change one thing about Manny, I would change his social life skills, because he should have real friends, so that he doesn't bully Greg so much, that Greg's older brothers job, Rodrick. Now, an OLDER brother, i know what thats like, I have one myself. Anyway i really like Manny, but he sure is mean for a three year old.
...more

2

Apr 30, 2012

My brother and I are a big fan of the Wimpy Kid series. The books are usually hilarious! This one was probably my least favourite so far though. Just not as funny as the other ones in the series. Still enjoyable, but it felt like something was really lacking in this one...

5

Jul 25, 2016

A diary is always my favorite 'kind of' book to read, specially if it's of somebody else's.

I remember ending up reading two juniors' diaries when they were out. I won't say I was spying, because I was not. Espionage is just not my thing.

They were careless enough to leave their important stuff in the open and how can you stop someone who would read anything readable. The thing is the diaries weren't funny.

Generally, People seem to write diaries when they are upset and want to get out of it. I A diary is always my favorite 'kind of' book to read, specially if it's of somebody else's.

I remember ending up reading two juniors' diaries when they were out. I won't say I was spying, because I was not. Espionage is just not my thing.

They were careless enough to leave their important stuff in the open and how can you stop someone who would read anything readable. The thing is the diaries weren't funny.

Generally, People seem to write diaries when they are upset and want to get out of it. I was quite disappointed reading them. Because you're not supposed to read other people's diary and that's what makes it more exciting. However, I had given this up.

I came across Wimpy Kid when all of my wishes to read diaries were at stake, since then my perspectives about diaries have revived! I'm laughing out loud at what and how Greg's life is going to be.

Manny is indeed a clever kid, getting all things done for him. Rodrick is bossy and always searching for a chance to beat up his brother, Greg. Time Out, you can say. Even Greg's Best Friend Rowley is getting things done in his life.

Only person in the world left for the wimpyness is Greg. Oh My, bad things are always happening to him but it doesn't make me have sympathy for him or something, instead, I laugh a lot.

That's the thing about it.

Of all the diaries, I've come across, Wimpy Kid is going to be my favorite.

I've only one question in my mind, where does the writer get the names for its characters? ...more

0

Jul 23, 2012

I even haven't read the Cabin Fever yet this one release date is out already? Oh geeez.

4

Apr 15, 2013

Mum: How many stars?

LRN: Four and a half.

Mum: You pretty much love Greg Heffley with all your heart; why the missing half-star?

LRN: The thing is, it's about love, and that makes me aggghhhh. Any story that involves love makes me kind of crazy.

Mum: Oh, so does Greg get some smooches?

LRN: Not exactly, but his friend does.

Mum: Which one? The skinny one?

LRN: No, I mean Rowley.

Mum: Anything else about this story?

LRN: The thing is, he gets a date, but really Rowley gets it.

Mum: Oh, so like a Mum: How many stars?

LRN: Four and a half.

Mum: You pretty much love Greg Heffley with all your heart; why the missing half-star?

LRN: The thing is, it's about love, and that makes me aggghhhh. Any story that involves love makes me kind of crazy.

Mum: Oh, so does Greg get some smooches?

LRN: Not exactly, but his friend does.

Mum: Which one? The skinny one?

LRN: No, I mean Rowley.

Mum: Anything else about this story?

LRN: The thing is, he gets a date, but really Rowley gets it.

Mum: Oh, so like a middle school Cyrano de Bergerac? Where he ends up wooing the girl for someone else, kinda by accident?

LRN: No. Rowley is basically Greg's wingman, but he ends up getting the date instead of Greg.

Mum: Oh, so Rowley is Cyrano. Or the other guy - the chevalier. Whatever, this is a bad reference for a middle grade novel. Also, where did you learn the term wingman?

LRN: This book was the first time I saw that word.

Mum: I hate Greg Heffley a little. You know how lucky you are to read this junk, right?

LRN: Yup.


...more

4

Dec 31, 2015

I pretend to buy these books for my students, but the truth is I can't resist the humor myself.

2

Jan 04, 2013

We got forced to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid as a transition text for year 7. Not the best way to get introduced into this series but yeah, okay, it wasn't that bad. The teachers said that it would be great if we could finish it during summer holidays so when we began school we would feel more confident and know what it's like. Erm..NO, DO NOT READ THIS AS A TRANSITION TEXT. Who has a cheese touch in high school? Geez.. Anyway this is a review on The Third Wheel not the first book.

I was We got forced to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid as a transition text for year 7. Not the best way to get introduced into this series but yeah, okay, it wasn't that bad. The teachers said that it would be great if we could finish it during summer holidays so when we began school we would feel more confident and know what it's like. Erm..NO, DO NOT READ THIS AS A TRANSITION TEXT. Who has a cheese touch in high school? Geez.. Anyway this is a review on The Third Wheel not the first book.

I was horrifically... disappointed. I was looking for a bit more plot and complexity in this one. Especially with the romance, it just sort of got pulverised by all the books before this one. So this is middle grade aimed but Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a amazing example of who complex and intriguing this MG genre can get.

The humour of these books never get old though. So that's why I give this book three stars. It's short and humour filled so if you tick off both of these points go and read this book. ...more

4

Dec 08, 2012

I won't lie about the fact that I was very excited to read this book. It's mostly because

- the first 5 books' box set lived right on my desk close to bed till I finished them all
- I ordered and read the 6th book as soon as I finished the set

So how is this latest installment?

As with almost all the series (consider Potter as an exception)this is not as good and fun as the initial ones. Gregory is still faltering at different levels and his filial love is still on tenterhooks. But again the I won't lie about the fact that I was very excited to read this book. It's mostly because

- the first 5 books' box set lived right on my desk close to bed till I finished them all
- I ordered and read the 6th book as soon as I finished the set

So how is this latest installment?

As with almost all the series (consider Potter as an exception)this is not as good and fun as the initial ones. Gregory is still faltering at different levels and his filial love is still on tenterhooks. But again the experiences are new.

The comfort and warmth that one expects from a known avenue, a tested formula and a familiar writing style is still there.

Gregory has started to look at girls with an adolescent's perspective and the incidents may make you reminiscent. The goof-ups are still funny and at times one is forced to think of the older days when mistakes were pardonable and there was nothing like a blunder.

If this book has craved me to read more about the wimpy kid and to wait for the next installment, that's thumps up from my side. That will remain till the book doesn't loose the innocence that has carried it all this way.

...more

0

Oct 24, 2012

1/10/13
I just finished reading Diary of a Wimpy kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. This book is hilarious and romantic all at the same time. It starts out In an ordinary life in middle school and then to really gets to the point. Greg (the main character) has been trying to work up the nerve to ask out his biggest crush Holly Hills to the dance, but Greg's WAY to nervous to ask her out and the only problem is........ well, If you want to know what happens after that I can't tell you so I guess 1/10/13
I just finished reading Diary of a Wimpy kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. This book is hilarious and romantic all at the same time. It starts out In an ordinary life in middle school and then to really gets to the point. Greg (the main character) has been trying to work up the nerve to ask out his biggest crush Holly Hills to the dance, but Greg's WAY to nervous to ask her out and the only problem is........ well, If you want to know what happens after that I can't tell you so I guess you'll have to read and find out! Kinney really does a good job describing characters and really putting things in Greg's point of view. I don't think that I can really relate to Greg because well, he's a wimp and is always getting in trouble. I think that if you read this book your probably going to want to watch the movies also because then you can almost picture the book in your mind. This book is great because it has humor, suspense and its just entertaining. Once you start reading you can't stop! That's just. What happen to me. I would for sure rate this book 5 stars (⭐⭐⭐⭐)!!!!!!!!!!!! ...more

5

Aug 28, 2017

Just Wow! I just love Greg. love him so much. I can read the whole series over and over.

0

Jan 08, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury: I intend to prove that the book “Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Third Wheel,” by Jeff Kinney is a very good book at telling many different sub-plots besides the main one. However, there were areas in this book that were not quite as good at giving an ending or a reasonable ending to all of the sub-plots. Narrated by a first-person narrator, Greg Hefley is a Junior High School student who is having some trouble with love. The main issue in this book is the Valentine’s


Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury: I intend to prove that the book “Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Third Wheel,” by Jeff Kinney is a very good book at telling many different sub-plots besides the main one. However, there were areas in this book that were not quite as good at giving an ending or a reasonable ending to all of the sub-plots. Narrated by a first-person narrator, Greg Hefley is a Junior High School student who is having some trouble with love. The main issue in this book is the Valentine’s Day Dance, where Greg is desperate to find a date, and possibly his date’s love.

My first example is about Greg and his family going to a restaurant. So there is this restaurant near their neighborhood named Corny’s. Now at Corny’s, they have a rule that if you were a tie into the restaurant, they will cut it off and put it on a cork board called the wall of shame. Well, the first time they went to Corny’s, Greg’s dad was wearing a tie. One of the waiters at the restaurant came over with a big pair of scissors and cut the tie off. As you can see from this example, we know what happens to Dad because we read earlier that all the ties that are cut off go on the wall of shame, thus explaining a reasonable ending to a sub-plot.

My next example will be about the story of the mad panster. It all began when one kid pants another kid in gym class. Pretty soon everyone started pantsing each other. Finally, Vice Principal Roy had to come in and talk to everyone in the class about how you shouldn’t pants anyone. Right in the middle of his lecture, some kid pulled down Vice Principal Roy’s pants down from underneath the bleachers. No one knew who did pants Vice Principal Roy, but they call him the mad pantser. As you can see, the author didn’t just randomly mention the mad panster in the middle of the story; he explained how the mad pantser came to be, thus explaining an example of a reasonable explanation.

My last example will be about a negative statement, one that doesn’t have a reasonable ending or explanation. It’s a story that’s also about the mad pantser. So we know that there is a mad pantser, but the author doesn’t explain at the end of the book whom the mad panster is. He doesn’t even give any hints at all of whom it could be. This is an example of not giving a reasonable explanation ending to all the sub-plots.

As you can see from the examples above, this book is very good at telling many different sub-plots, but it doesn’t give us and reasonable explanations or endings to all of them. I think the intended audience for this book is for people who like to laugh a lot, because of the entire miss haps that Greg keeps getting himself into. I would recommend this book to anyone because this book probably has a wider audience to reach out to. This is why I like this book.

...more

3

Apr 08, 2013

I just read The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. It is the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In the book, there is a Valentine's Day Dance at Greg Heffley's school. The problem is that he cant find anyone to go with him. The whole time as he rushes to find someone to go to the dance with him he's worried he'll be left out on the big night. When I first read this book I was disappointed because it wasn't as funny or good as the the other book in the series. Also sometimes the author I just read The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. It is the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In the book, there is a Valentine's Day Dance at Greg Heffley's school. The problem is that he cant find anyone to go with him. The whole time as he rushes to find someone to go to the dance with him he's worried he'll be left out on the big night. When I first read this book I was disappointed because it wasn't as funny or good as the the other book in the series. Also sometimes the author goes off topic and starts talking about something that really has nothing to do with the main idea of the story which is Greg needs to find someone to the Valentine's Dance with him. One example is in the beginning of the story it starts talking about when Greg's mom is still pregnant with him and all the ups and downs of it. I don't see how that has anything to do with the main idea. It wasn't even funny. Overall I'd say that this was an okay book and I would give it 3 stars but I wouldn't recommend it. One thing I can relate to is that in the story there's this restaurant called Corney's and it's always crowded there. It reminds me of the time I went Golden Corral ( not one one of my favorite restaurants ) and it was so crowded we had to leave and go somewhere else. ...more

4

Nov 28, 2012

This one was actually pretty funny. It was fun to see Greg grow up, but still have the same hilarious adventures with Rowley and the gang from Greg's middle school. I would give it four stars because it was really funny and an easy read. I mean as far as comic books go. I can't say it's a very good book but in it's own field, this one was another prize winner by Jeff Kinney.

P.S. Got this SUPER CHEAP at Target.

0

Sep 07, 2012

I LOVED the other books. this is the newest one and I'm seriously dying to read it ;)

5

Sep 28, 2015

**SPOILER ALERT** Ever wanted to read a book about a kid who s life is it all that. the genre of this book is realistic fiction. I liked this book because I can really relate to the main character in the book.
The setting of this book is in a school and in a few of the characters houses and in a gym. Greg wanted a date to the dance but no one likes him so he tries to do anything for a date. Greg is a kid that no one likes and he is in 7th grade. He only has one true friend and his Name is **SPOILER ALERT** Ever wanted to read a book about a kid who s life is it all that. the genre of this book is realistic fiction. I liked this book because I can really relate to the main character in the book.
The setting of this book is in a school and in a few of the characters houses and in a gym. Greg wanted a date to the dance but no one likes him so he tries to do anything for a date. Greg is a kid that no one likes and he is in 7th grade. He only has one true friend and his Name is rowely. The conflict is person vs person because Greg is trying to get a date to a school dance but many people are getting in his way by asking all the girls our that he wanted to.
The title relates to the book because Greg ends up being a third wheel when his friend rowley takes his date by accident and one his way home with the date and his friend his ex date does not talk to him all the way home.
I was surprised when rowley ends up with Greg's date and gives Greg chicken poxs. In the book something else surprising happens when they are at the school dance, a hored of gramps and grams came into the school gym and told them that they need to get out but they dived the gym and they need to lower their music so they did not have a good night.
I give this a 5 star rating because I can relate to this character, I know what it feels like to only have one true friend. I recommend this book to my uncle because he loves diary of a wimpy kid.This book is for people who what to luahgt out lound ...more

4

Jun 09, 2012

I have read all the Wimpy Kid books so far, and I canNOT wait for this one to come out! I am PSYCHED!!!!! Jeff Kinney, you rule!

1

Sep 14, 2016

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is respected for two main reasons: the books' appeal to the most reluctant readers, and their side-splitting humor. After a bit of a lull in the previous few books, Jeff Kinney returns to comedic form in The Third Wheel, presenting some of his best jokes since the early entries in the series. The little kid at church who pretends he's a vampire, and convinces Greg's three-year-old brother Manny it's true? The picture book that Greg's mother wrote about Biting Bradley? Both Diary of a Wimpy Kid is respected for two main reasons: the books' appeal to the most reluctant readers, and their side-splitting humor. After a bit of a lull in the previous few books, Jeff Kinney returns to comedic form in The Third Wheel, presenting some of his best jokes since the early entries in the series. The little kid at church who pretends he's a vampire, and convinces Greg's three-year-old brother Manny it's true? The picture book that Greg's mother wrote about Biting Bradley? Both classic moments. Our introduction to Manny's entourage of imaginary friends, from Charles Tribble to The Other Charles Tribble to Johnny Cheddar? Greg's tribulation when he has to crawl through the toddlers' maze of play tubes at Corny's restaurant to retrieve Manny, who's too scared to come down on his own? And then there's Uncle Gary and his nightmare about monkeys in the walls. The Third Wheel's humor is top-notch, particularly for the first half of the book, and I appreciate Jeff Kinney's comedic insight.

Ordinarily, Greg's house is large enough for the family's comfort, but not so much after Uncle Gary moves in temporarily. Uncle Gary doesn't mind being unemployed and not having his own place to live, but Greg's father isn't happy with the open-ended arrangement, and it gets on the rest of the family's nerves after a while, too. But Greg is distracted from his troubles at home by the announcement of a school Valentine's Day dance that most of the girls are eager to see arrive. Their enthusiasm eventually spreads to the boys, but the imbalanced ratio of male to female students this school year is bad news for less popular guys who don't want to miss out on the fun. Can Greg find a date for the dance? His search for the right girl launches a laugh-out-loud escapade for our favorite self-centered middle-schooler, leading Greg to wonder what he's not comprehending about the nature of the romance game. His plans are bound to go wrong before, during, and after the party, but will there be an opening for him to have a satisfactory ending with a girl he'd like to dance with? Anything can happen at this Valentine's soiree, and likely will.

The Third Wheel isn't as deep or cohesive as the best books in this series, but the humor saves it as a pleasant read with some of the most effective ideas for gags of the past several volumes. It's key that readers not go into these books expecting growth or positive change from Greg Heffley. This isn't that type of series; Greg is a prop for the jokes assigned him, and so are the other characters. Diary of a Wimpy Kid novels are primarily stand-up comedy routines, not wise literature, and you'll have a fine time with them if you keep that in mind and don't expect more. I'd give The Third Wheel one and a half stars, but I almost rounded my rating up, and I enjoyed the read. I've yet to go wrong with a Jeff Kinney book. ...more