: Kinney uses the "Reading Is Fun Club" and "Champions Meet" (where everyone gets a first-place ribbon) to satirize the culture of participation trophies and the over-scheduling of children’s lives. Critical Resources for Your Paper
: Because the story is a diary, readers only see Greg’s biased, self-serving perspective. This forces the reader to look at the illustrations to find the "truth" that Greg’s text often omits.
: The book is often used as a case study for adolescent narcissism or even sociopathic traits. Greg’s constant avoidance of responsibility—his "shortcuts"—reveals a deep-seated anxiety about the transition into adulthood.
: Available through Barnes & Noble - NOOK for about $13.