Guest Reviewer: Mister B is reading…Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

The more things change, the more they stay the same....

The above cliche is a perfect description of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series.  The latest, "The Third Wheel", follows the same script. The usual Greg Hefley family weirdness (this time with the addition of a deadbeat uncle); Greg figuring out creative ways to get out of things leading to some mishap or another; hijinks at school (including the mysterious "pantser").  Same, same.

There is one difference though.  Greg actually seems to be growing up.  Girls weren't a focal point for him in the past, but with the big Valentine's Day dance coming up, finding someone to take becomes the central focus of "The Third Wheel".  There are some funny parts about the search for a date, including some sound advice from the deadbeat uncle.  And the book leads to an entertaining end, with good friend Rowley turning the tables on Greg.

Yeah, "The Third Wheel" is pretty much just like the other "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books.  But that isn't such a bad thing.  Sometimes, funny is still funny, no matter how many times you read it.

Ask Mrs. B About…Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to NOT Reading

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to NOT Reading by Tommy Greenwald, Illustrated by J.P. Coovert
To say that Charlie Joe Jackson didn’t like to read would be a huge understatement. He would do anything, at any cost, to avoid reading. (Sound like anyone you know?)
Charlie Joe managed to make it to middle school without ever having read an entire book.  He had a plan, and it worked for him…until now! His friend Timmy no longer was willing to accept ice cream sandwiches in exchange for telling Charlie Joe about the books he should have read.
You might think that Charlie Joe would realize it was time to start doing his own reading.  Yeah, right!  More scheming and plotting ensues.  Will he get through middle school with his non-reading record intact?
This is a fun, fast read that even Charlie Joe Jackson would enjoy if he weren’t so busy trying to NOT read!
Oh, and if you too are a non-reader and aren't convinced this book is worth picking up, you may want to read it just for the Tips for NOT reading that Charlie Joe provides throughout the book, starting with “If you have to read a book, make sure it has short chapters.”