Storylines, characters made 'Diary of A Wimpy Kid' popular
“How many books has Jeff Kinney written?” asked a young Wauconda Public Library patron.
The sensational popularity of the “Diary of A Wimpy Kid” book series and movie releases propelled author Jeff Kinney, a cartoonist, into a household name — that is, in homes where middle schoolers live.
Kinney has published a dozen “Wimpy Kid” books, developed four films based on his wimpy hero, Greg Heffley, and created another six “Wimpy Kid” movie-companion books. The relatable realistic fiction storyline features the Heffley's middle child, Greg, as he negotiates life in seventh grade.
In the first book of the series, released in 2007, wimpy Greg explains his place in the middle school pecking order, “The trouble with nerds is they give wimpy kids a bad name,” he confesses in his journal. “When I think of nerds, I think of teacher's pets and tickle fights and hall monitors, and that's definitely not me.” The books appear as handwritten journal entries mixed with sketches that depict tales of the unlikely hero.
Even though the first book was released more than 10 years ago, it flies off library bookshelves. Circulation figures at the Wauconda Area Library back up the enthusiasm for Kinney's books.
“The lifetime circulation of the first book is 946,” the library's Katie Sollors reports. “In running a report for the top 15 circulating series book titles for children, 11 of the spots are taken by books from that series.”
The “Wimpy Kid” books have been enjoyed by almost an entire generation.
“The third-graders who read it when it first came out are in college now,” said Lisa Marie Smith, of the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire. “I think it's going to be an enduring series similar to the Harry Potter franchise. I don't see demand for it slowing down anytime soon.”
One factor for the wide appeal is readability. The books are great for those who are still developing reading skills, as Samantha Eichelberger, Schaumburg Public Library's Community outreach coordinator explains.
“The combination of cartoons and story helps to make the books more approachable for readers who lack confidence in their reading skills or the attention for or interest in a full-length chapter book without illustrations,” Eichelberger said.
But it's the character, Greg Heffley, the underdog hero who challenges those bolder and older, that captivates the reader, as Laurie Cichon from Grayslake Area Public Library District explains, “The storylines and characters are very relatable to kids.”
In addition to reading the expanding book series, an easy way to connect with Kinney and his cartoon characters' antics is to check out his bookstore, An Unlikely Story and Cafe, in Massachusetts, about an hour north of Boston. Kinney's store offers author visits, story times and even yoga. See more online at www.anunlikelystory.com, or check out the book series website at www.wimpykid.com.