One Sentence Summary
Diary of a Wimpy Kid #10: Old School by Jeff Kinney is a humorous story about a middle school student’s attempts to make the most of the typical school year, despite his mother’s interference.
Book Genre
Diary of a Wimpy Kid #10: Old School is a novel written in the humor and children’s literature genre.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of the book is the middle school years of a boy named Greg Heffley, and his struggles to balance his mother’s strict rules with his own aspirations of having a normal life.
Key Ideas
- Family dynamics – Showing the bond between Greg and his brother that overcomes the disputes between them.
- Growing pains – Taking responsibility for choices and consequences throughout one’s growth into adulthood.
- Technology – Change in social and entertainment landscape brought about by advancements in technology.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part 1: Greg’s Class – Greg’s mom signs him up for a “scary old-school” grade school for the summer. He meets the strict principal and students who have been in the same grade for years, so Greg is the “new kid”.
- Part 2: Mom’s War – Greg’s mom tries to take more control of his education by signing him up for odd jobs. Greg’s attempts to resist are met with further pressure and more outrageous jobs from his mother.
- Part 3: Boy vs. Dad – Greg and his father go on a summer vacation that ends up turning into a disaster, as Greg discovers that he is not the only one being embarrassed and manipulated by his father.
- Part 4: Back to School – Greg finishes his summer classes and discovers that he actually enjoyed what he learned, and this newfound knowledge helps him in the upcoming school year.
Key Takeaways
- We all face growing pains related to balancing our own desires with parental expectations.
- Any change or obstacle can be turned into an opportunity if met with enthusiasm and imagination.
- Sometimes the “old-school” ways of doing things are the best.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Jeff Kinney is an American author and illustrator of children’s books. He is best known for his bestselling series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which has sold millions of copies worldwide and spawned a series of eight feature films. Kinney has also been awarded multiple honors, including Time Magazine’s list of 100 Best Children’s Books of All-Time in 2019.
Target Audience
The target audience of Diary of a Wimpy Kid #10: Old School is primarily boys aged 8-12 years. However, its humorous and relatable plot make it an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in middle school life.
Publisher and First Publication Date
Diary of a Wimpy Kid #10: Old School was published by Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Group, on November 3, 2015.