Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel
 | |
| Author | Jeff Kinney |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jeff Kinney |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Diary of a Wimpy Kid |
| Genre | Child, Young Adult |
| Publisher | Amulet Books |
Publication date | November 13, 2012 |
| Media type | Print (paperback, hardcover) |
| Pages | 217 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4197-0584-7 |
| Preceded by | Cabin Fever |
| Followed by | Hard Luck |
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel is a 2012 bestselling children's novel and the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, written by American author Jeff Kinney.[1] Kinney announced the book in March 2012, with The Third Wheel's cover being revealed in May 2012.[2] The book was released on November 13, 2012.[3][4]
Plot
After talking about what his life was like from before he was born to his preschool years, Greg explains some of the parenting methods his mother has tried on Manny and how Manny has been affected by those methods, which are different from what Greg's mother did with him, causing Manny to act like a spoiled brat. Back in the present day, Uncle Gary moves into Greg's house. He explains that he got a great deal from T-Shirt shop owner in Boston to take over his business, but the shirts had a misspelt word on them, ("Botson" instead of "Boston") making them worthless. By the time Gary realized this, the man who sold them was already gone.
In school, Eugene Ellis is elected School President after promising to fix the cheap Toilet Paper in the student's bathrooms. Because of cost concerns, the teachers decide to allow students to bring in only 5 squares at a time. After students start sneaking in more than what they're allowed too, the teachers decide to hold a fundraiser for the school. Some of the students first propose a Motocross/Wrestling event, but the school quickly changes it to a Valentine's Day Dance.
Rowley is elected Social Chairperson, getting him on the Dance Committee for the Valentine's Day Dance. Greg tells Rowley to find him a date, but fails many times, such as leaving prank messages on another girl's phone line, failing a dissection unit, and even messing up a babysitting job. Eventually Rowley tells Greg about a girl called Abigail Brown, who is alone after her boyfriend, Michael Sampson, had a family obligation. Greg asks Rowley to ask Abigail to go with them as a group of friends; she agrees. Greg's idea is to use Rowley to get him a girlfriend, so he can go on a date with her.
At the dance, their night is ruined when senior citizens overrun their dance, claiming they reserved the dance area first, but they compromise things that ruin the theme, such as lights, no more music and a partition severing half the gym. Michael Sampson even arrives with Cherie Bellanger. Michael was supposed to go with Abigail, and he may have lied, and both Abigail and Sampson probably did not expect the other to be at the dance. Finally, while dancing with Abigail, Greg spots what looks like chicken pox marks on her face. It only turns out she had pimples when she was crying over Michael, but Greg panics, leaving Abigail crying and Rowley comforting her.
The book ends with Uncle Gary winning $40,000 and paying Dad with the money, and moves out of the house. Rowley and Abigail are dating, and Greg gets the chicken pox. Greg is finally able to take baths and be by himself in the bathroom, but he now starts to think if he is really alone, when a fresh towel near the tub disappears.
Reception
Critical and reader reception for the The Third Wheel has been positive, with the San Angelo Standard-Times calling the book "masterful."[5][6]
References
- ↑ "WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST-SELLERS". SF Gate. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ↑ "Cover Reveal: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel'". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ↑ "'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' author Jeff Kinney". Cambridge News. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ↑ "Wimpy Kid Author Jeff Kinney Talks About his Inspirations, the Road to Fame, and the Quest for the Perfect Shade of Brown". School Library Journal. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
- ↑ "'The Third Wheel' the latest in 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series".
- ↑ "Review: The Third Wheel". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
External links
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