Rodrick Rules
2007
- nyt:series_books=2009-01-10
- families
- diaries
- middle schools
- familias
- juvenile fiction
- amistad
- fiction
- ficción juvenil
- cuentos humorísticos
The story
Greg Heffley tells about his summer vacation and his attempts to steer clear of trouble when he returns to middle school and tries to keep his older brother Rodrick from telling everyone about Greg's most humiliating experience of the summer.
What it’s like
Cartoon-sketched pages in a loose, pencil-simple hand, with stick figures, lined notebook-style panels and plenty of white space, so the book reads like a kid's private diary left lying open on a bedroom floor. The voice is breezy and self-deprecating, delivered in short dated entries and quick jokes that land within a line or two, which makes it an easy, bright read for a lazy afternoon, a long bus ride or a stretch of reading aloud. The vibe is sly, scrappy and warm: the everyday chaos of a family home, a younger brother's schemes, sibling rivalry and the small humiliations of middle school, all handled with a light touch and a steady undercurrent of affection. Nothing here is frightening or cruel; the conflict is squabbling, embarrassment and mild pranks rather than real harm, and the family dynamics stay lighthearted throughout. The rhythm is brisk and episodic, with page after page of gags and drawings doing most of the work. It suits younger readers, reluctant readers, and anyone wanting a gentle, funny, low-stakes comfort read about growing up awkward and surrounded by family.
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