Rotten School
middle-grade comedy
Series · humor
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney has 24 books and is best read in publication order, starting with Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007). The next book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight, is due 20 October 2026.
- Books
- 24 books
- First published
- 2007
- Status
- ongoing
- Last checked
Start here: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) — then read straight through in publication order.
Reading order
The order the books were released — the default way to read the series.
- Book 1:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book - Book 4:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days - Book 6:
The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever - Book 9:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel - Book 10:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck - Book 11:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down
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The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Next Chapter
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway - Book 16:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown - Book 17:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball - Book 18:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End - Book 19:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot - Book 20:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode - Book 21:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess - Book 23:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper
Alternative text for cover: Cover of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper
About the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
Greg Heffley is a scrawny, scheming middle-schooler convinced that fame and popularity are just one clever plan away, and that everyone around him -- his slobby older brother Rodrick, his well-meaning but oblivious parents, his loyal best friend Rowley -- is somehow standing in his way. Told entirely through Greg's own diary entries and Jeff Kinney's scribbly cartoon drawings, each book follows a school year (or a summer, or a holiday) of Greg's misadventures: failed money-making schemes, gross-out mishaps, family road trips gone wrong, and a running war of one-upmanship with Rodrick.
The appeal is the voice: Greg is vain, lazy, and constantly rationalizing his own bad behavior, which makes him funnier -- and more recognizable -- than a straightforwardly "good" kid hero would be. The diary-and-doodle format is a huge part of the draw for reluctant readers, packing a laugh onto nearly every page and making a 220-page book feel like a breeze. Parents and teachers have kept handing these to 8-12 year olds for the same reason kids keep handing them to each other: they're funny without being mean-spirited, and they capture the specific humiliations of middle school with uncomfortable accuracy.
With over 300 million copies sold and adaptations across film and animated specials, Wimpy Kid remains the flagship "kid finally wants to read" series for its age group -- it's often the book that turns a reluctant reader into a regular one.
Frequently asked questions
How many Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are there?
There are 20 main-series books as of Partypooper (2025), with book 21, Fight or Flight, due October 20, 2026.
What order should I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid in?
Publication order, starting with the first book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Each entry is a standalone school year or summer, so the numbering is also the story order.
Do I need to read the Rowley Jefferson books too?
No. The Rowley spin-off series is optional and best enjoyed after the main series, since it retells some of the same events from Rowley's perspective.
Is Diary of a Wimpy Kid finished?
No, it's ongoing. Jeff Kinney has published a new entry every year since 2007 and has not announced an end point.
What age group is Diary of a Wimpy Kid for?
It's aimed at roughly ages 8-12, though its comic, heavily-illustrated format makes it a popular pick for reluctant readers both younger and older than that range.
If you like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
Reading order last verified .