Greg Heffley is back again with his trusted sidekick Rowley. This time, love is in the air and the Valentine's Day dance is just a few days away. Greg doesn't want to be the only one who goes stag, but he doesn't know how to ask a girl out. His mooch of an uncle tries to help him out. Uncle Gary has "...been married something like four times already, so he's an EXPERT on relationships" Greg realizes. Greg asks for advice from wise old Gary. The illustrations in the seventh installment are just as funny as the earlier books. Kinney seems to have a natural talent for all things boy and all things wimpy. Manny (the younger brother) is growing up but still has invisible friends and Greg finds it impossible to tell whether one of the invisible friends is sitting on the couch or not, so he avoids "hurting" one of Manny's friends. Rodrick, the evil older brother, makes a brief appearance as does Greg's dad, but the story revolves around Greg and his funny attempts to appear "date-worthy." No matter what he does, Greg seems to lose. Uncle Gary finally wins the lotto and is able to leave the Heffley's couch. Rowley gets the girl, but Greg is okay with it. Middle school is rough for the wimpy kid, heck, it's rough for everyone. Middle school--it's not for sissies!
Highly, highly recommended grades 5-up. No language.
ISBN: 978-1419705847 217 pages (paperback)
Reviewed by: Pamela Thompson, MLIS, Library Media Specialist, Texas, USA
Visit Pamela's ya novels blog @ https://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/
