Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess

Written by Jeff Kinney (Puffin)

Age 7-11

“My dad ‘s always saying you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your family.”  Number 19 in the bestselling Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series is another sure-fire winner. Filled with laugh out loud humour and very relatable family dramas, Hot Mess is a hot read for your kids this holiday.

The much loved hero of the Wimpy Kid Diaries series, Greg Heffley, discovers that when you mix heaps of family, a tiny beach house, and sweltering heat, it’s a recipe for disaster. Speaking of recipes – the secret ingredients behind his Gramma’s famous meatballs have been closely guarded for years. Can Greg unpack all of his family’s mysteries before their vacation is over? Or will he just stir the pot?

Hilariously funny for all 7 – 11 year olds.  It’s silly humour but Kinney has a knack for turning the everyday things children go through into his subject matter. And what could be more funny than a large mismatched family all stuck together?  From thinking a jelly fish is attacking his leg, to getting sand lodged in his swim shorts, dodging his aunt’s wet bathing suits in the very crowded family bathroom, and playing a hotly contested board game called Boardwalk Baron, which is bascially Monopoly with his whole extended family, your kids will be laughing out loud.

His recounting of the family group whatsapp chats had me chuckling and the final reveal is a lovely twist to the story. The comic-style graphics on every page also make this a good read for emerging and reluctant readers as well as building visual communication skills.

For newbies to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the series follows middle school weakling, Greg Heffley, as he journals the trials, tribulations and humor of dealing with family, friends and surviving middle school. each book is filled with comic graphics.

Meet the author

Jeff Kinney first began by writing down jokes and illustrations in a series of journals, loosely based on his own childhood. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series was published in 2007 and gained instant success. Today, there are 19 books in the series in 86 editions and 70 languages. The books have sold more than 290 million copies globally.

In addition to the book series, Jeff has written and illustrated three spin-off titles in the Awesome Friendly Kid series, written from the perspective of Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. Beyond the books, the Wimpy Kid series has been adapted into four live action movies, three animated films on Disney + and a musical.   See more here.