Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinneyby Jeff Kinney
Shares rank 7 of 9 children's books by recommenders
People recommend it when nothing else has made a child stick with reading, and praise its insight into childhood psychology. Critics object to its cynicism and sarcasm toward adults.
People recommend it when nothing else has made a child stick with reading, and praise its insight into childhood psychology. Critics object to its cynicism and sarcasm toward adults.
6 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 4
- criticize it
- 2
- approval share
- 67%
Recommended in 3 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 4 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 2 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 3 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Works when nothing else does
“Its the book you buy only because nothing else will stick (options have been tried and failed).”
Comment from 14 Jul 2026 in “Building a real-time AI tutor for 5-year-olds” Insight into child psychology
“genuine insight into psychology and the condition of the child as a developing person”
Comment from 14 Aug 2026 in “Seven books I keep close because I love them” Lasting intellectual and emotional satisfaction
“Days upon days of intellectual and emotional satisfaction.”
Comment from 22 Dec 2025 in “Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class” Kept among favorite books
“the seven books I keep close”
Comment from 14 Aug 2026 in “Seven books I keep close because I love them”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Cynicism and sarcasm toward adults
“cynicism, sarcasm, or open disdain towards adults (Wimpy Kid)”
Comment from 10 Jul 2026 in “Building a real-time AI tutor for 5-year-olds” “cynicism, sarcasm, or open disdain towards adults”
Comment from 10 Jul 2026 in “Building a real-time AI tutor for 5-year-olds”
Other children's books people recommend
The four most recommended other children's books, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering for Babiesby Hacky Labs | 15 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | Approved |
| The Chronicles of Narniaby C. S. Lewis | 8 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| Pinocchioby Carlo Collodi | 6 | 2 | 75% | 2 | — | — |
| The Wind in the Willowsby Kenneth Grahame | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| Diary of a Wimpy Kidby Jeff KinneyThis page | 4 | 2 | 67% | 3 | — | — |
What people said
All 6 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“genuine insight into psychology and the condition of the child as a developing person”
“the seven books I keep close”
“Its the book you buy only because nothing else will stick (options have been tried and failed).”
“cynicism, sarcasm, or open disdain towards adults (Wimpy Kid)”
“cynicism, sarcasm, or open disdain towards adults”
“Days upon days of intellectual and emotional satisfaction.”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.