Sacramento Public Library

Readalikes for Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Knucklehead

    Knucklehead - Jon Scieszka

    How did Jon Scieszka get so funny? He grew up as one of six brothers with Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, and jokes told at family dinner.
    Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel

    Ellie McDoodle: Have Pen, Will Travel - Ruth McNally Barshaw

    Eleven-year-old Ellie McDoodle illustrates her sketchbook with chronicles of her adventures and mishaps while camping with her cousins, aunt, and uncle.
    Dear Dumb Diary: Let's Pretend This Never Happened

    Dear Dumb Diary: Let's Pretend This Never Happened - Jim Benton

    In her diary, middle school student Jamie Kelly describes her life at home and at school, including her attempts to triumph over her nemesis, the beautiful and popular Angeline.
    Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything

    Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything - Steve Cotler

    As fifth grade comes to an end, 'Cheesie' Mack and his best friend find their summer plans are drastically changed, due in part to a valuable coin that may belong to the mysterious inhabitants of a place they call The Haunted Toad.
    The Dunderheads

    The Dunderheads - Paul Fleischman

    When Miss Breakbone confiscates Junkyard's crucial find, Wheels, Pencil, Spider, and the rest of the Dunderheads plot to teach her a lesson.
    Camp Can't: The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez

    Camp Can't: The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez - Diana Gallagher

    Claudia wants to prove that she should be a junior counselor at Blue River Camp next year, but first she must face mean girls, the boy she has a crush on, a seven-year-old rascal she often babysits, her own bad luck, and a challenging swimming test
    Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

    Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key - Jack Gantos

    To the constant disappointment of his mother and his teachers, Joey has trouble paying attention or controlling his mood swings when his prescription meds wear off and he starts getting worked up and acting wired.
    Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

    Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading - Tom Greenwald

    Middle schooler Charlie Joe is proud of his success at avoiding reading, but eventually his schemes go too far.
    Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf

    Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf - Jennifer Holm

    The first year of middle school can be exciting, or scary, just ask Ginny.
    The Popularity Papers

    The Popularity Papers - Amy Ignatow

    Two best friends embark on a project to study the behavior and taste of the popular girls at their elementary school so that by the time they get to middle school they too will be in the right crowd.
    The Loser List

    The Loser List - H. Kowitt

    When Danny gets caught trying to cross his name off the "Geek" list in the girls' bathroom, he's sent to detention. Bullies torment him mercilessly -- until they discover that Danny can draw.
    Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol

    Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol - Jim Krieg

    Legendary Griff Carver joins the Rampart Middle School Hallway Patrol and with the help of his new friends, Griff solves the case of counterfeit hall passes.
    Jeremy Bender Versus the Cupcake Cadets

    Jeremy Bender Versus the Cupcake Cadets - Eric Luper

    Jeremy Bender and his best friend dress up as girls to infiltrate the Cupcake Cadet troop in an attempt to win the Windjammer Whirl model sailboat contest, and the prize money that comes with it
    Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Powers of Deception

    Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice, and Destructive Powers of Deception - Gary Paulsen

    Fourteen-year-old Kevin is very good at lying and doing so makes life easier, but when he finds himself in big trouble with his friends, family, and teachers, he must find a way to end his lies forever.
    Max Quigley: Technically Not a Bully

    Max Quigley: Technically Not a Bully - James Roy

    After playing a prank on one of his "geeky" classmates, sixth-grader Max Quigley's punishment is to be tutored by him.
    Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze

    Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze - Alan Silberberg

    In love with the girl he sneezed on the first day of school and best pals with Marshall, the "One Eyed Jack" of friends, seventh-grader Milo Cruikshank misses his mother whose death has changed everything at home.
    How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying

    How to Beat the Bully Without Really Trying - Scott Starkey

    Rodney, an admitted coward, moves to Ohio where the middle school bully immediately singles him out, but when a stray baseball knocks the bully out just as he is about to beat Rodney up, Rodney gains an undeserved reputation as a tough guy.
    My Life as a Book

    My Life as a Book - Janet Tashjian

    Dubbed a "reluctant reader" by his teacher, twelve-year-old Derek spends summer vacation learning important lessons even though he does not complete his summer reading list.
    Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters

    Justin Case: School, Drool, and Other Daily Disasters - Rachel Vail

    It's the start of the school year, and nothing feels right to Justin. He didn't get the teacher he wanted, he's not in the same class as his best friend, and his little sister, Elizabeth, is starting kindergarten at his school.