Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 23:34     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
DD is reading the Wimpy Kid books now in first grade. They are the first books she has shown real enthusiasm about reading. Naturally we are not trying to stop her from doing so due to stupid concerns about the content. Thus far she has not modeled her speech or behavior on Greg Heffley, so no worries there.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 23:30     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:Yes, I think that we're all clear on the idea that boys and girls are different. But people don't read books with their genitals.


Male and female brains are different, too, genius. That's why they're interested in different things, and want to read different books and see different movies.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 23:27     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:Greg Heffley just seems to revel in lying, stealing, cheating, and taking advantage of his frenemy, Rowley. ( yes, I have read the books with DS, which is why I dislike them so).


Greg is weak and lazy. Always takes the path of least effort. In short, a wimp. That's why it's not called The Diary of a Tough Kid.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 23:11     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Are you sure it’s the Wimpy Kid books causing the attitude change? Because I think a lot of kids try out poor attitudes around that age. I’d really not blame a (honestly, pretty funny) series for somewhat age appropriate behavior. When we read with DS we chuckle about what a jerk Greg can be. DS doesn’t mimic at all. His other favorite book is Wonder so I figure he’s getting some balance. And, yes, Junie B. is worse.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 23:03     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.


Some boys like Charlotte's Web, other boys don't. Some girls like Charlotte's Web, other girls don't. Some boys (and girls) like the Wimpy Kid series, other boys (and girls) don't.

(Also, Charlotte's Web is not a book about a pig falling in love with a spider. I don't like the book (and I'm a former girl), but good grief.)


Yes, you are right pp. It is about a pig who doesn't want to die and the spider is helping him out. And the girl, Fern falls in love with the boy Avery. So it is about friendship too.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 22:58     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote: DS is 8-years old and a strong reader. He loves the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Unfortunately, his attitude towards school and his classmates seems to have nosedived since he started reading these books. He parrots phrases from the books, like “Everyone in my school is a moron except me.” He may just be experimenting with different phrases and testing limits, but it is still disturbing.

The main character is a pretty nasty, self-centered kid. The series seems targeted towards older kids, as it’s about a seventh grader.

DH thinks as long as DS is reading and enjoying it, we should leave him alone. I think the books are proving to be a negative influence.

Would you let your eight-year-old read these books?


Forbidden fruit, op! Ban the book and he will want it even more! Yes, your DH is correct. Let him read it and you can too so you can discuss what is appropriate and what isn't.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 22:55     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:Hunger Games is not age-appropriate for 8!


Oy with the shaming already!
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 22:12     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
I hate these books. But my son loves them. And honestly, without them, he still wouldn’t be reading for pleasure. I don’t know what it’s like to be a 9 year old boy, I guess. He has no interest in the books I pick out for him. If he starts behaving badly because he is modeling in these books, we’ll address his behavior. But so far, so good.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 22:03     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
We let both kids read these books - everyone in the family can find something to be amused about. Road Trip had my in-laws in stitches!

i didn't read all the comments above, so I am sorry if this is repeat info: these are great books for reluctant readers because the guided reading level and lexile are pretty high.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 21:49     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Hunger Games is not age-appropriate for 8!
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 21:46     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
My kids can read anything but they don’t repeat behaviors in the book, which I guess is good because my 8 yo is reading the Hunger Games and Maze Runner. Dystopian fiction is very popular in my house.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 21:08     Subject: Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
A great podcast on the topic:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/heightscast/id1041718501?mt=2&i=1000389870912
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 21:05     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, so my DS is impressionable and tries out language and attitudes he sees in movies or reads in books. He’s read the whole Captain Underpants series, and while he was in that phase we had to have serious talks about respect for teachers.

I hated those books, but the stuff they do is more imaginary and in a strange way, Harold and George have a conscience and a sense of responsibility. They don’t after all let Mr. Krupp wander off alone.

Greg Heffley just seems to revel in lying, stealing, cheating, and taking advantage of his frenemy, Rowley. ( yes, I have read the books with DS, which is why I dislike them so).

I’d rather DS were reading A Wrinkle in Time or Charlotte’s Web (he got 3/4 of the way through, then got bored). He is thankfully also reading the Percy Jackson series, which is less morally bankrupt.

DS says Wimpy Kid will not have any real effects. I’m not so sure. However, I never had my reading censored as a kid, so I hate to do it myself. But DS may just be a lot more impressionable than I was.



Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.


Yes!!!!!!!

What is with moms making their young children read classic literature?
My MIL did that with my husband when he was a boy. He truly resented it and never ended up liking reading.


I started with my 6-yr-old that book, and I was more bored than he was. It seemed a lot more cooler when that was my first chapter book. Now, there is so much sci-fi and fantasy that is so much more exciting! I will make a mistake and pick up books from the thrift store that I remember, like The Third Grade Nothing, and still boring. The Hobbit, however, was fun and captivated the imaginations of the boys.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 20:50     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, so my DS is impressionable and tries out language and attitudes he sees in movies or reads in books. He’s read the whole Captain Underpants series, and while he was in that phase we had to have serious talks about respect for teachers.

I hated those books, but the stuff they do is more imaginary and in a strange way, Harold and George have a conscience and a sense of responsibility. They don’t after all let Mr. Krupp wander off alone.

Greg Heffley just seems to revel in lying, stealing, cheating, and taking advantage of his frenemy, Rowley. ( yes, I have read the books with DS, which is why I dislike them so).

I’d rather DS were reading A Wrinkle in Time or Charlotte’s Web (he got 3/4 of the way through, then got bored). He is thankfully also reading the Percy Jackson series, which is less morally bankrupt.

DS says Wimpy Kid will not have any real effects. I’m not so sure. However, I never had my reading censored as a kid, so I hate to do it myself. But DS may just be a lot more impressionable than I was.



Boys do not want to read books about pigs falling in love with spiders, as much as their moms loved it. This expectation has led to so many "reluctant readers" among boys and Jeff Kinney has said outright that he had those boys in mind when he wrote the Wimpy Kid series. Your SON IS READING FOR FUN. Be thrilled. Do all you can do encourage that. And use the opportunity to teach him that the behavior seen in books (tv, video games, friends' houses) isn't always appropriate in your home. It's a good lesson and the right time to learn it.


Yes!!!!!!!

What is with moms making their young children read classic literature?
My MIL did that with my husband when he was a boy. He truly resented it and never ended up liking reading.
Anonymous
Post 03/05/2018 20:41     Subject: Re:Do you let your kid read Diary of a Wimpy kid?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

They also don't play with their toys with their genitals. Doesn't change the fact that girls prefer dolls over trucks and boys prefer trucks over dolls. This is overwhelming. Boys and girls are different and it goes far beyond their genitals.


You are free to give your girls girl toys and girl books, and your boys boy toys and boy books, if that is what you want to do. Other people allow their individual children to make their own choices.


Nobody said access should not be granted to boys and girls to all types of toys. Just don't be shocked if your boy doesn't want to play barbies. Gender neutrality has been debunked by SCIENCE. in particular Dr John Money's work to prove gender neutrality was an epic failure.

Educate yourself.


I won't be shocked if my boy doesn't want to play with Barbies/trucks, or if my boy does want to play with Barbies/trucks, or if my girl does want to play with Barbies/ trucks, or if my girl doesn't want to play with Barbies/trucks. How about you? What does SCIENCE say about that?


Science says nothing about your lack of shock. All science says is that gender neutrality is not a thing. If you care to educate yourself (which is unlikely) I'd start with the fascinating story of the Reimer Family on the podcast Liar City.