Review: Diary of a Wimpy kid: The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #3) by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid:The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #3)

Author: Jeff Kinney
Pages:218
Publisher: Amulet Books
Release Date: January 1st 2009
Author Website
Available for Order: Amazon|Barnes and Noble

Source: Purchased 

The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level. Let’s face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg’s father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other “manly” endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his father’s efforts to change him. But when Greg’s dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up . . . or get shipped out. 

This time, Greg starts off on New Year’s Day (he resolves to “help 'other' people improve,” telling his mother, “I think you should work on chewing your potato chips more quietly”) and ends with summer vacation. As he fends off his father’s attempts to make him more of a man (the threat of military school looms), Greg’s hapless adventures include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings (“Dear James, You smell”), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and single-handedly wrecking his soccer team’s perfect season. Kinney allows himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the “racket” children’s book authors have going. “All you have to do is make up a character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a lesson at the end of the book.” Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the exception proving that rule. 

My Take:

Greg is at it again and this time he tells the truth and sometimes it hurts. Since its a new year he sees it a new beginning meaning that the things everyone says they will do for their resolutions should do them before the year is up. With the threat from his father Greg is doing all he can to show his father that he can listen. Of course without his best friend Rowley the school year isn't complete, with 7th grade almost over he is awaiting the summer but at the same time dreading it if his father chooses to send him off. His father is always trying to shape up Greg but what his father doesn't know is that Greg will do anything to get him to change his mind.

I loved the fact that Greg is growing up at the same time as the reader. Greg may get into trouble but its worth while when he can spend some time with Rowley. Of course with summer coming anything can happen.

5/5 stars