Diary of a Wimpy Kid Readalikes

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Readalikes

You know when you find an amazing book, and you never want it to end? How do you find another book to read after that? Our answer: Readalikes to the rescue! We hope our Readalikes will rescue you from the what-to-read-next question, and help you find lots of new amazing books.

Today's Readalikes are for the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. These books follow Greg Heffley as he enters middle school with the goal of increasing his popularity. Unfortunately, Greg is just kind of an average kid, probably not destined for mega-popularity.

Zach Gordon Interview

You know him as Greg Heffley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. I met him when he came to Scholastic for a Live Chat a couple of years ago before the 1st Wimpy Kid movie came out. He was hilarious and adorable in real life, much more than Greg would be. We now have a new interview with him after his 3rd Wimpy Kid movie. Read on for Zach's current reflections on his life as an actor, his favorite books, and his hopes for the future.

Wimpy Kid Actress, Peyton List

Holly Hills in Diary of a Wimpy Kid

You know 13-year-old Peyton List from her role as Holly Hills in Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules. But she and her twin brother, Spencer, have been acting for a while. In this interview she talks about working on the Wimpy Kid movie, embarrassing stories from her childhood, and her baby brother's hilarious nickname for her.

Q: What was the most fun acting job you've had?
Peyton: One of the most fun projects I got to work on was Diary of a Wimpy Kid, because I mean they had so many kids on the set. It was like summer camp. It was so much fun. Every night we would go out to dinner and we would go swimming, and we'd pull pranks on each other.

Meet Wimpy Kid Author, Jeff Kinney

How many more books will there be in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series? How many more Wimpy Kid movies? Author, Jeff Kinney answers these questions and more in this Scholastic Kids Press Corps interview with Fred Hechinger.

What do you think? Are you excited for the next Wimpy Kid book/movie? Tell us what you think in the Comments.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Rodrick Rules Movie Review!

One of the fantastic perks of working for Scholastic is that sometimes when a new movie comes out, I get to see an advance screening of that movie. The studios, like 20th Century Fox, have a preview of the movie for "media" in a screening room somewhere in New York or L.A. So I pile into a tiny theater with other members of the media - like other web, magazine, or TV writers - and we get to watch the movie before it hits theaters.

In February, I got to see an advance screening of (drumroll please) Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules (rated PG)! A full month before it would come out in theaters! And after being a fan of the books series, and looooving the first movie, I have to tell you I was psyched.

Rodrick Rules Cast Interviews

Good new for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans! The second movie, Rodrick Rules (rated PG) is almost here! It's coming to theaters on March 25 - that's next Friday!! To get you psyched, today we have interviews with the actors who play Rowley, Greg, and Rodrick, so you can find out all about their real life quirks, pranks on the set, and other hilarious escapades in their lives. AND, be sure to check back here next Friday because Scholastic writer, Ratha, has already seen an advance screening of the Rodrick Rules movie, and she will be giving us her review.

First up is Robert Capron who plays Rowley.

Wimpy Kid: Diary to DVD

Aah August. Hot summer days, back to school sales. . . and my cousin Katie's birthday. Pretty much the usual. EXCEPT this August 3, 2010, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie (rated PG) comes out on DVD. Now that doesn’t happen every year, does it? And how are we going to celebrate? With fun new interviews of course!

We spoke with Jeff Kinney, author of the books, and Zachary Gordon, the actor who plays Greg. First we asked Jeff:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Red Carpet Movie Premiere

Well, Wimpy Kid fans, today is the day you've been waiting for. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie (rated PG) opens in theaters today! But SOME lucky people have already seen the movie! In the Kids Press Corps blog, Scholastic Kid Reporter, Chris Campbell says, " I saw the movie this week before it opened and it’s terrific." He was at a special Press Day for the movie, and writes about his experiences meeting the cast and author. You can read all about it in his blog post and find out the answers to his questions like:

• Is Zach Gordon a wimpy kid in real life?
• What advice does Jeff Kinney have for dealing with bullies?
• Was Diary of a Wimpy Kid originally written for adults?

We've also got pictures from the Red Carpet movie premiere held in New York City on March 4. Take a look at this photo slideshow.

After you see the movie, leave us a Comment to tell us what you think of it!

— STACKS Staffers

Wimpy Week: Team Rowley!

Wimpy Week: Team Rowley!

In our other video previews of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie, the focus was on Greg Heffley, the main character and proverbial "wimpy kid." But I thought I would focus today's blog post on MY favorite character, Rowley. Sweet, lovable, happy-go-lucky Rowley is a totally loyal friend to Greg while Greg is just obsessed with popularity, and um. . . not so likable all the time. Can you imagine a better friend than Rowley? And the actor who plays him — Robert Capron — is absolutely perfect! Check out this video clip of the Mother & Son Dance where Rowley and his mom do this dance routine that can only be described as Jaw-Droppingly Awesome! And PS, this was one of Robert's favorite scenes to shoot because he got to dance with his real mom!

Yes, that is his REAL mom! Did your jaw drop while watching this? I know mine did. Now don't get me wrong, I think Zach Gordon is awesome too. After meeting him at the live chat on Tuesday, I can tell you for sure that he is totally sweet and nothing like his wimpy (sometimes even jerky) character, Greg. And he even told me that he and Robert are really good friends now since they met making this movie.

Are you psyched to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid?

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Wimpy Kid Movie Diary Sneak Peek

Hi! All week we are bringing you Wimpy Kid features to get you pumped for the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie coming out on Friday. Exclusive movie clips, a trivia quiz, your questions answered by Jeff Kinney and Zach Gordon. . . and more still to come. So jump onto your profile, change your mood to "wimpy" and show the world you're ready for Wimpy Week!!

Wimpy Week continues now with a special sneak peek of Jeff Kinney's newest book coming out today! It's called The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary and it describes all the behind the scenes stuff that went into making his hilarious book Diary of a Wimpy Kid into a movie.Check it out!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid motion picture elements copyright © 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary (excluding motion picture elements) copyright © 2010 Wimpy Kid, Inc. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID®, WIMPY KID™, and the Greg Heffley design™ are trademarks of Wimpy Kid, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trivia Tuesday: WIMPY KIDS WANTED

Ok if I had to pick when I was in middle school – I would definitely say I was the wimpy kid instead of the popular kid. I guess it’s a little different because I’m a girl, but nonetheless, I would fall to the wimp side. But, they say that angst in middle school makes you a better writer. I guess some good had to come of always getting picked last in gym class. I suppose it’s all that pent up emotion waiting to get out!

Anyhow…. In preparation for the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie, take this Trivia Tuesday quiz and see where you rank. Even if you haven’t read the books - enjoy for kicks and giggles. 

1. From Book #1. What is Greg’s little brother’s nickname for him?
2. From Book #2. What did Greg wrap himself in to keep warm while hiding out in the bathroom to avoid swim team practice?
3. From Book #2. When Greg’s parents went away overnight, and left Rodrick and Greg in charge of the house, what did Rodrick do?
4. From Book #3. When Greg didn’t have any clean underwear because he had to do laundry, what did he do?
5. From Book #4. What happened to Greg’s mom on the way back from Slipslide Water Park?

BONUS: Exactly how many pages does each Diary of a Wimpy Kid book have? 

Leave your answers in the Comments, and check back next week for the answers, and to see where you rank. These will be the standings:
Wicked Wimp Winner! (4 or more right)
Sort-Of Wimpy. (3 right)
Not Really a Wimp. (2 or less right)

PS. No matter what your score, log in to your profile now and change your mood to "wimpy!"

 — Ratha, Stacks Writer

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Live Chat

You have been asking us for a Wimpy Kid chat, so since the movie is coming out on March 19 (have you seen our exclusive and hilarious movie preview?), we are planning an AMAZING Wimpy Kid chat with 2 extra special guests. Who are these splendiferous guests coming to Scholastic to chat online with YOU? I'll give you a hint, one is an author and one is a twelve-year-old actor. Can you guess who they are?

WHO: Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series PLUS Zachary Gordon, the kid who plays Greg in the movie
WHEN: TODAY 5:30-6:15 PM E.T. (2:30-3:15 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS (See below for sign-in instructions.)
TOPIC: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie!

That's right. Jeff Kinney and Zach Gordon will be both be joining us for this Live Chat, so you will definitely not want to miss this one!

Tell the world you're excited for the chat by logging in to your profile and changing your mood to "Wimpy!"

We have fun Live Chats here every month. Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail a couple days before future chats to remind you to join!

— STACKS Staffers

 

---

Update: Thanks to those of you who joined today's live chat. We had an amazing time hanging out with Jeff Kinney and Zachary Gordon, and we hope you did too! Here's the transcript so you can read every word that Jeff and Zach said!