Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck, Book 8

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1419711326 ISBN 13: 9781419711329

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 2013

Greg Heffley's on a losing streak. His best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has ditched him, and finding new friends in middle school is proving to be a tough task. To change his fortunes, Greg decides to take a leap of faith and turn his decisions over to chance. Will a roll of the dice turn things around, or is Greg's life destined to be just another hard-luck story?  

About the Author:

Jeff Kinney is the #1 USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and a six-time Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award winner for Favorite Book. The Meltdown, book 13, was published in October 2018, and was a #1 bestselling book. His latest book, Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal, was published in April 2019. Jeff has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. He is also the creator of Poptropica, which was named one of Time’s 50 Best Websites. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives with his wife and two sons in Massachusetts, where they own a bookstore, An Unlikely Story.

From Booklist:

Greg Heffley’s eighth adventure (but who’s counting?) centers on his relationship with his best friend, Rowley—more specifically, the demise of that relationship when Rowley gets a girlfriend. At first, Greg tries to insert himself into the mix, but he soon tires of Abigail’s pathological control (she changes Rowley’s hairstyle) and fussy propriety (she won’t let him eat off of the cafeteria floor). And so Greg must navigate the minefield of middle school, with its hero points, dollar-store sneakers, and the looming shadow of summer school, all by himself. Without a sidekick, Greg spends more time at home, suffering the attentions of his “colorful” extended family, like Aunt Audra, who drags him along to a psychic visit. Greg begins consulting Rodrick’s forgotten Magic 8 Ball and thinks maybe that will turn his luck around. As ever, Kinney strikes his comic target in the bull’s-eye, exaggerating the trials of adolescence just enough to make them real while deftly exposing the insecurities behind Greg’s bravado with his super, simple drawings. Will Greg and Rowley make up? Either way, devotees need not worry; there is plenty more angst in store. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Kinney’s books are best-sellers on every list out there, and his rabid fans will be chomping at the bit to get another taste of the Wimpy Kid. Grades 5-8. --Thom Barthelmess