Diary of a Wimpy Kid Author Jeff Kinney at NY Comic Con

There was certainly nothing wimpy about the crowd that turned out to see bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Jeff Kinney, recently. The New York Comic Convention (called Comic Con) is always packed with thousands of comic book fans, many dressed like their favorite comic book characters. So many came to hear Kinney speak at the convention on February 8, his presentation had to be moved to a bigger room.

"This is the largest crowd I've ever presented to!" said Kinney, who came to Comic Con to release his latest book in the Wimpy series.

Comic Con is a convention dedicated to showcasing new video games, books, comics, and cartoons. It is one of the largest comic conventions in the U.S. This year more than 77,000 people attended!

This convention of all things comic is held in the Jacob Javits Center, a humongous building with transparent glass-like walls supported by giant metal beams. The convention features computers and game systems you can interact with, as well as the creators and characters from your favorite books and comics. However, since it is such a fun place, it is really hard to get into. In fact, tickets for Kids Day, when Kinney launched his book, sold out in an hour!

 It was certainly the perfect place for Kinney to begin his nationwide tour promoting his newest book in the series, “The Last Straw” — especially since he began his career as a cartoonist. In fact, the first “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” began as an online cartoon.

Now popular with kids aged 10-12 Kinney told Scholastic News that his first version of the series was written for adults.

"I wrote it as a reflection on their childhood," he said.

His young fans have made each of the four books top sellers in the U.S. In fact, there are plans to make the first book into a movie soon. Kinney hopes the movie is even funnier than the book. If that is possible, the movie will be hilarious!

Auditions for the main character, Greg Heffley, will be happening soon, so if you think you have what it takes to be the wimpy kid on screen, check out www.iamthewimpykid.com.

What IS a Wimpy Kid?

Interesting words: wimpy and diary. They are not words commonly used by middle school boys. Kinney said he likes the word wimpy because it is a funny word and right away the reader knows Greg, the “wimpy” kid, is not a perfect character.

In the series, Greg's mother buys him a red diary. Greg is quite embarrassed by it, which is why Kinney decided to use that as the book title.

Kinney said none of the characters are based on real people, but some parts of the book are related to real incidents.

"I pull the material from my childhood—funny things other people have done," he said. “Some I just make up.”

If he had to choose, Kinney's favorite character would be Rowley, Greg's best friend. Rowley acts a bit young for his age and is sometimes slow to catch on to what's happening. Readers love him for his honesty.

"He is a pure, good kid," Kinney said.

Both girls and boys relate to the characters and are big fans, even though the main characters are boys.

"I know boys well enough, how they act and behave, so that makes it easier to write a book about a boy, rather than a girl," Kinney said. He includes girls as characters, but he writes about them from Greg's point of view.

During his interview with Scholastic News, Kinney offered some advice from Greg Heffley for kids going into middle school.

"It won't last long; life will get a lot better!" he said. "Try to have fun. Middle school is tough for everyone; luckily it will be quick."

— Matthew S., Kid Reporter

Photos Courtesy of Matthew Spana

Comments

[Comment #1]

Hi i like reading you books. I cant wait in tell the othere one.

[Comment #2]

What a well-written article! Let's hear more from this kid reporter. (From Matthew S.'s fourth grade teacher)

[Comment #3]

I love Jeff Kinney's books.

[Comment #4]

your books are really funny!

[Comment #5]

hay jeff i am your #1 fan. and i have a sigjeston fore a book. it should be a pick your path book. Like from rodrik's perspecshon or any other caricter.

[Comment #6]

i love your boooooks they are really funny and are you gonna make a number 4# of diary of a wimpy kid?

[Comment #7]

There is going to be a new book of Diary of a wimpy kid book callled Bummer vacation and there is going to be a movie coming all this year {note bummer vacation wont come out until the really end of the fall}

[Comment #8]

hi i luv your books jeff!by the way what is the movie called and what is it about?

[Comment #9]

greg u should toughen up with rodi. i liked the whole musle thing in book #1!!!! go get some anchor arms or somein.
OUT!

[Comment #10]

Greg you should get fake muscles or something because Holly is HOT!!!!

[Comment #11]

i love ur books and especially the last straw and i believe that i just read that book

[Comment #12]

Hi I realy like your books!!!I want to become a writer but I'm only ten!!!could you get me a publisher for me???

[Comment #13]

the book that i read the cheese touch the first one is really good i'm trying to get my mom to buy me the second one hop you make a 5th one

[Comment #14]

your books are awsome what is the next book called and can the book be BLACK PPLLEEAASS

[Comment #15]

very well writen

[Comment #16]

i love all the wimpy kids can't wait for the next one!

[Comment #17]

Dear Jeff Kinney i love your diary of a wimpy kid books.my favorite one is the do it yourself book. and i would love to be greg.ps,im your biggest fan

[Comment #18]

Hi im Camal i am woundering if you are still looking for a 10 year old boy to play in your movie.

[Comment #19]

your books are really funny i can't wait tell the 4

[Comment #20]

your books are real funny i have all the books

[Comment #21]

hi i realy like your books i got all of them

[Comment #22]

hi i like your books becuse they are funny they make me laugh alot

[Comment #23]

i like your books i read all of them and i got all of them are you going to write a black one because if it is can you deticate it to me please i love your books so much i read them every day you friend trestin

[Comment #24]

no 4s gonna be awesome!

[Comment #25]

whats no 4 gonna be called?