 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever
- By Jeff Kinney
- Genre: Humor
Common Sense Media says
Sixth book in series lacks some punch but stays funny.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the sixth installment in the extremely popular Wimpy Kid series is the mildest yet. There's almost no violence except for a few barely bullied kids. And a couple of cartoons show Greg in the bathroom with his underwear on. Parents will probably be more concerned with Greg's behavior. As usual, he's not owning up to his mistakes, but he usually pays the price in excessive worry and/or (fair) punishment from his parents or the school. Parents may like the jabs at sites like Webkinz that get kids to hit their parents up for money -- a worthy topic of discussion -- and the safety restrictions at school that are so excessive that all of the playground equipment is removed.
What's the story?
It's November, and Greg is already worried about making Santa's naughty list. To get info directly back to St. Nick, Greg's mom enlists the help of an elf doll that she calls Santa's Scout. That doesn't stop the mischievous misadventures, though, as Greg ices over someone's driveway (thinking a hose would be faster than shoveling) to make money to feed and clothe his online pet, pretends to use his mom's exercise game (but just sits and presses the buttons instead), and accidentally defaces school property with posters that stain the walls (and there's no way he's owning up to that). But when a blizzard strands Dad comfortably at a hotel and the rest of the family is stuck with limited food and no electricity, that's when the Christmas holidays really get interesting.
Is it any good?
Fans of the Wimpy Kid series could definitely do worse than having CABIN FEVER handy during cold winter weather. Greg is still up to no good in his own cluelessly funny way. Seeing how his family handles being stranded in a snowstorm is the highlight of the book. On the other hand, flashbacks about Greg's strange doll and the president's physical fitness test aren't as engaging and are too big a departure from the main story.
As always, there are reminders that being a kid is so different today. Parents reading along will laugh about the sad state of Greg's playground (all the toys are removed for "safety reasons"), the kids sneaking energy drinks when the school soda machine is removed, and that Greg gets rewarded with cybercash for watching his online pet watch commercials. While the later volumes in this series lack a little punch compared with the early ones, there's still plenty to laugh at and discuss with young readers.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about online games that encourage kids to spend money. Do you play any of them? Are they as addictive as the game Greg was playing?
Talk about the Wimpy Kid movies vs. the books. Which do you like better? Is the movie version of Greg the way you imagined him in the books? What about the other characters?
Discuss creativity and writing. Does this series encourage you to start your own journal or newspaper?
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Kid, 10 years old
November 27, 2011
AGE
Best books ever.
I love Diary of a wimpy kid.That is my absolute favorite book series.Very good for ages 7 & up.Very educational because it's a book and you will never want to get away from the book until you're done!
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Kid, 11 years old
November 26, 2011
AGE
AWSOME STORY!
Funny story!I like how Greg's parents are always doing something funny.
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Kid, 9 years old
December 7, 2011
AGE
Cabin Fever is a little boring
It's good
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AGE
this book is so good i read it three times!
i just bought this book and I loved it you should read it
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AGE
diary of a wimpy kid exitement
this a great story i reccomend it the whole series of diary of a wimpy kid actually deffilently read everyone
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Kid, 11 years old
January 8, 2012
AGE
Legend!!!!! your KID will love it!
I have never laughed so much because of a book hugely entertaining! Greg sometimes gets into trouble because he is 'hanging out' with the wrong people.
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AGE
Good book
I've got this book for Christmas and I finally got the chance to read it, and it's pretty good. It's a fun little read, and has positive messages about owning up to your mistakes, being grateful for the things you have, and the importance of family and friends, even though Greg doesn't seem to learn them. Good for kids 8+. Violence: Some kid bullying that includes arm twisting and being chased after. Also some mild cartoonish violence, like slipping on a patch of ice and being shot by a BB gun, but nobody gets seriously hurt. Sex (I didn't get the option on the "What should other families know about this book?" section: Some illustrations of Greg in his underwear, and an illustration of his butt checks while he's using the bathroom, but nothing graphic is shown.
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AGE
READ THIS BOOK NOW
this book is really good i finished it i three days there are 207 pages but its a good book easy read with a lot of of pictures
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| Author: | Jeff Kinney |
| Illustrator: | Jeff Kinney |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Humor |
| Publisher: | Amulet Books |
| Publication date: | November 15, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 224 |
| Hardcover price: | $13.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 11 |
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