Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 4) by Jeff Kinney

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Amulet Books; 1 edition (October 12, 2009)

Book summary: It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn.

Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.”

Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything? 

My review: This being the fourth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Dog Days was just like the fourth season it's named for, summer. Like the first three books in this series, this was funny. I liked how Greg sounded like a real tween and not like a character. I also liked how this story was fast paced, something was always happening, and it was exciting. This book is a graphic novel, so you got to see drawings of some of the scenes, most of which were very cute. Another great aspect of this book is how the author is also the illustrator, so the pictures truly reflect what his words say.

Although Dog Days is humorous, its story does share a life lesson with the reader: Life isn't always how you expect it to be, or how you want it to be. But live it good, and it will be alright.

Dog Days is a quick, easy read. I hope you enjoy the fun and humor on each page as much as I did.

Rating: +++ 1/2

Favorite excerpt: (From page 1 )
     "Just because the weather's nice, everyone expects you to be outside all day "frolicking" or whatever. And if you don't spend every second outdoors, people think there's something wrong with you. But the truth is, I've always been more of an indoor person."

Cover comment: The cover is supposed to look like Greg's "journal". The designer did a good job. A nice touch, was the picture taped to the front of Greg's ice cream falling to the ground and him looking upset.


Book source: A gift.