New to the Wimpy Kid world
Begin with Diary of a Wimpy Kid, book #1. It introduces Greg, Rowley, the Heffley family, and the text-and-cartoon style.
Book Series · 20 Books
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books
In order from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Partypooper.
Greg Heffley records the embarrassments, schemes, friendships, and family disasters of middle school in a mix of text and cartoons. The humor comes from seeing how Greg tells a story—and how the pictures sometimes reveal more than he intends.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books
Start with Diary of a Wimpy Kid and follow the publisher's numbering through Partypooper. Each book centers on a new school, family, vacation, or friendship problem, but recurring relationships and jokes make publication order the easiest path.
Fight or Flight is officially book #21, with an October 20, 2026 publication date. It is forthcoming and is not included among the 20 published books on this page.
The four published Awesome Friendly books shift the spotlight to Greg's best friend, Rowley Jefferson. Rowley's Journal overlaps with Greg's world from Rowley's perspective, while the later books contain a fantasy quest and funny scary stories. The publisher presents these books by title rather than as a numbered sequence, and they do not interrupt Greg's numbered series.
Sources: Official Wimpy Kid book order, Official Fight or Flight publication page, Official Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2 page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Greg is funny but not always thoughtful or honest. His stories include teasing, bullying, selfish choices, sibling conflict, pranks, bathroom humor, social embarrassment, and slapstick accidents. The cartoons often help readers notice when Greg's explanation leaves something out, which can open useful conversations about perspective and consequences.
The main books keep danger light and comic. Rowley's spooky-story collections add monsters, ghosts, zombies, severed-body-part jokes, and other playful horror ideas; sensitive readers may prefer Rowley's Journal or Awesome Friendly Adventure first.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
The best starting point depends on whether your child wants Greg's everyday mishaps, Rowley's different perspective, or a hands-on activity book.
Already likes Rowley
Start the Awesome Friendly books with Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal for a familiar story told from Rowley's point of view.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2007
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
Middle school misadventures test a boy's friendship and self-discovery through his diary entries.
218 pages· 20,026 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
4.5/7 Bookroo
$14.99Save 7%
Hardcover
Summary: Greg Heffley navigates the treacherous waters of middle school, where he's surrounded by bigger, tougher kids. Armed with his diary, Greg chronicles his hilarious attempts to survive and thrive. With his best friend Rowley gaining popularity, Greg sees an opportunity to boost his own status, but his plans backfire, putting their friendship to the test. Will Greg's schemes lead to disaster, or will he learn what truly matters? Dive into a world where growing up is anything but easy, and every page is filled with laughter and unexpected lessons.
Main series · 20 published books
Greg Heffley's Journals
20 books · Published 2007–2025
These are the official numbered books. Read them in order to follow Greg's changing friendships, family problems, and middle-school misadventures.
#1
#1 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2007
Middle school misadventures test a boy's friendship and self-discovery through his diary entries.
#2
#2 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Rodrick Rules
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008
Greg's secret summer mishap risks exposure as school starts anew.
#3
#3 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Last Straw
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
Greg must toughen up or face military school. Can he avoid his dad's plans?
#4
#4 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Dog Days
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2009
Indoor-loving Greg faces a summer clash with his mom's outdoor plans. Who will win?
#5
#5 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Ugly Truth
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010
Greg faces growing pains and awkward changes without his best friend. Can he handle the ugly truth of growing up?
#6
#6 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Cabin Fever
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011
A middle school student navigates the challenges of adolescence, including bullies, crushes, and family relationships.
#7
#7 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Third Wheel
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012
A middle school dance leaves Greg scrambling to avoid being the odd man out.
#8
#8 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Hard Luck
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013
Middle schooler turns to chance to change his luck. Will it work or lead to more trouble?
#9
#9 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Long Haul
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014
A family road trip spirals into chaos and unexpected adventure.
#10
#10 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Old School
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
Can Greg survive when his town goes electronics-free, or is old school too tough for him?
#11
#11 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Double Down
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016
Greg's plan to make a movie for fame might just double his troubles.
#12
#12 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Getaway
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017
A tropical getaway turns chaotic with unexpected troubles threatening a family's vacation.
#13
#13 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Meltdown
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018
Snow traps Greg in a neighborhood war. Can he and Rowley survive the chaos?
#14
#14 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Wrecking Ball
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019
A home renovation spirals into chaos, revealing unexpected dangers for Greg's family.
#15
#15 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
The Deep End
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020
A family camping trip turns into a watery disaster. Can they escape the rising tide?
#16
#16 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Big Shot
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021
Greg joins the worst basketball team. Can he turn their luck around or miss his big shot?
#17
#17 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Diper Överlöde
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2022
Greg joins his brother's band, facing chaos and rock 'n' roll challenges.
#18
#18 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
No Brainer
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023
A middle school student navigates the challenges of adolescence and the struggles of his school.
#19
#19 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Hot Mess
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024
Greg's summer turns chaotic with family secrets and a crowded beach house.
#20
#20 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1498
Partypooper
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025
Greg's birthday party spirals into chaos with unexpected disasters.
Rowley Jefferson's side of the story
The Awesome Friendly Books
4 books · Published 2019–2026
Four published, unnumbered books narrated or imagined by Rowley. They offer another perspective, a fantasy quest, and two collections of funny scary stories without adding numbers to Greg's main sequence.
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1348
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019
Rowley chronicles Greg's life, but his hilarious attempt at biography turns into chaos.
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020
Two friends embark on a quest to save a loved one from a powerful warlock.
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1398
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories
Chapter Book · Ages 8–13 · 2021
Laugh and shiver with Rowley's spooky tales of zombies, vampires, and ghosts.
Sale price
$1498
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2
Chapter Book · Ages 8–13 · 2026
Enter a world of hilarious horrors with monsters and ghouls lurking in unexpected places.
Optional activities and movie guides
Wimpy Kid Companion Books
3 books · Published 2011–2017
The Do-It-Yourself Book invites children to create their own journal, while the Movie Diaries explain how the live-action films were made. None belongs in Greg's numbered reading order.
Sale price
$1348
The Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011
Create your own story and become the star of your own adventure.
Sale price
$1498
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: How Greg Heffley Went to Hollywood
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012
Discover the secrets behind turning a bestselling book into a hit movie series.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1597
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Next Chapter
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017
Discover the chaos and creativity behind making a movie, from seagulls to robot pigs.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series?
There are 20 books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It began with Diary of a Wimpy Kid in 2007, and the newest book, Partypooper, was published in 2025.
What order should you read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in?
Start with Diary of a Wimpy Kid and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #20.
What ages are the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Diary of a Wimpy Kid book is the longest?
The Last Straw (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 21,283 words (224 pages).
Which Diary of a Wimpy Kid book is the shortest?
The Deep End (Book #15) is the shortest at 15,602 words (226 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring Diary of a Wimpy Kid to life.
Keep exploring
Similar Series
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly
Ages 9–13
Oliver's Great Big Universe
Ages 8–12
House of Robots
Ages 9–12
Dork Diaries
Ages 9–12
The Tapper Twins
Ages 8–12
Odd Squad Book, An
Ages 8–12
Origami Yoda
Ages 8–12
Mr. Terupt
Ages 9–12