Puffin Diary of a Wimpy Kid Collection 13 Books Set by Jeff Kinney The Getaway, Double Down

This 13-book Diary of a Wimpy Kid collection brings together Jeff Kinney’s bestselling series in one set, following Greg Heffley through school, family life and the everyday dramas he records in his journal. Told in Greg’s own words and illustrated with comic-style pictures, the stories capture his attempts to fit in, stay out of trouble and navigate friendships that rarely go to plan.

Across the collection, Greg faces a new school year, awkward social events and shifting friendships, as well as family trips and home life that can be as challenging as the outside world. The set also includes Do it Your Self, an interactive book that invites readers to create their own Wimpy Kid-style diary with drawings, lists and journal pages.

Included titles

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid
• Rodrick Rules
• The Last Straw
• Dog Days
• The Ugly Truth
• Cabin Fever
• The Third Wheel
• Hard Luck
• The Long Haul
• Old School
• Double down
• Do it Your Self
• The Getaway

Key details

• 13-book collection
• By Jeff Kinney
• Published by Puffin
• Includes an interactive diary title, Do it Your Self

Synopses

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Greg Heffley starts a new year at a new school, where smaller kids share the corridors with older pupils who seem tougher and more grown up. With Rowley by his side, Greg tries to prove he is more mature, but things shift when Rowley’s popularity begins to rise. Greg records it all in his diary with comic pictures, as their friendship is put to the test.

Rodrick Rules

Greg is determined to move on from the humiliating events of his summer holiday and start fresh with a new journal. The problem is that his older brother, Rodrick, knows what happened and is not inclined to keep it private. Greg tries to make it through the school year without his reputation taking another hit.

The Last Straw

Greg’s dad, Frank, sets out to make his son “less wimpy”, planning a range of physical activities Greg would rather avoid. Greg manages to dodge them until the idea of military academy is raised. Faced with that possibility, he realises he will need an especially convincing plan to escape it.

Dog Days

Greg’s ideal summer involves television and video games, but his mum has different plans centred on “family togetherness”. As the holidays unfold, Greg finds himself dealing with a new addition to the Heffley family. With the balance shifting, he begins to feel outnumbered.

The Ugly Truth

Greg has always wanted to grow up quickly, but he starts to question whether getting older is as good as it sounds. He faces boy-girl parties, added responsibilities and the awkward changes that come with age. After a fight with Rowley, Greg is left to confront the “ugly truth” on his own.

Cabin Fever

Greg is suspected after school property is damaged, even though he insists he is innocent, or at least partly. As the authorities close in, a blizzard traps the Heffley family indoors. Greg knows he will have to face the consequences when the snow melts, but being stuck inside with his family may be punishment enough.

The Third Wheel

A school dance sends everyone searching for a partner, and Greg is determined not to be left out. He puts together a last-minute plan to find someone to go with, but it does not work out as intended. In the end, he attends with Rowley Jefferson and a female classmate as a “group of friends”, with the night full of possibilities.

Hard Luck

Greg hits a losing streak when Rowley Jefferson abandons him, and making new friends in middle school proves difficult. Hoping to change his fortunes, Greg decides to leave his choices to chance. He wonders whether a roll of the dice can turn things around, or whether he is headed for more hard luck.

The Long Haul

The Heffleys set off on a family road trip that starts with promise but quickly goes off course. Along the way there are gas station bathrooms, crazed seagulls, a fender bender and a runaway pig. Even so, the trip becomes an adventure the family will not soon forget.

Old School

When Greg’s town decides to unplug and go electronics-free, he is forced to cope without the conveniences of modern life. Greg is not suited to an old-fashioned world, and tensions rise both inside and outside the Heffley home. He must find a way to get through it, even as “old school” proves harder than expected.

Double down

Greg feels the pressure as his mum worries that video games are affecting him and pushes him to explore his “creative side”. With Halloween approaching, he is unsettled from every direction. After finding a bag of gummy worms, Greg gets an idea and considers making a movie, while wondering whether the plan will solve his problems or create more.

Do it Your Self

This book invites readers to create their own Wimpy Kid diary. It includes prompts for drawing Wimpy Kid-style cartoons, filling in facts and lists, and exploring full-colour comics. Readers can also write their own journal, in the style of Greg.