In the fifth installment of the series, writer Jeff Kinney continues to dominate the children's book market and the New York Times Bestseller List. The adventures continue for protagonist middle-school student Greg Heffley. Now more grown up and facing puberty, Greg is as wimpy as ever. He doesn't want more responsibility or more drama, and is all alone as he faces new struggles. Without his best friend Rowley, Greg has to brave the waters of middle school on his own.
When his mother decides to go back to school, the whole family is expected to take on more chores. When that doesn't work, Greg's mom hires a maid. Greg thinks this is a great idea--he can make the maid do all his chores and his laundry. He has no idea who he is dealing with however, this particular maid doesn't work. She is a marathon soap opera watcher--Greg makes it his job to expose her.
Later, Greg is excited to go to his first school lock-in where all the kids will spend the night locked in and having a party. Of course, this is not what really happens. The boys and girls are separated and the boys have to play silly little kid games. The chaperones take all their electronics, and the boys don't really have any people skills.
Spot-on humor and illustrations. Kids who have read the series will fly to the book stores for this one.Recommended grades 4-8. Recommended by Pamela Thompson, Library Media Specialist. Read reviews on her ya blog at https://booksbypamelthompson.blogspot.com/
