The history of the Wimpy kid
Diary of the wimpy kid is an American children book series created by Jeff Kinney. This film series was first published in 2007 , which takes the story of greg heffley as he narrates through his daily life of Middle school through his diary
Over the course of 8 years the series has produced 17 books (as of 2022). The series originated as an online web version in 2004 while racking up over 20 Million views by 2009. By 2009 author Jeff Kinney was already named time 100 most influential people.
As of 2022 the series has sold over 275 Million copies global , which would eventually lead to the series being the fourth best selling book series of all time.
As someone who favorites the series , the reason I picked it was to represent because of the impression left behind on me as a kid. Being very excited to do independent reading in the classroom to pull one of these books out held sentimental value. Arguing with other students in the library about whose gonna check out what book, Reading it as if I’m actually the main characters. Those are memories that will Never change and it
Introduction
Social climate during 2007
During the year of 2007 there where multiple big things going on such as the release of the very first iPhone, tributes to the queen of Londons 10 year death anniversary, the fourth installment of harry potter series ( order of the phoenix ) & J.K. Rowlings last book of the series breaking a U.S. record of 8.3 Million copies sold on the first day. With things like that happening during that time Jeff Kinney still managed to produce the book to become at the time New Yorks time best seller list. Also during the time the agenda of physical books began to shift as most big name retail stores ( Target/Walmart)began price wars as it became threats to known book store like barnes and nobles that they can take over at any time.
Initial impression of the series
The book was initially for kids 3-12 , But it also reach the audience of even older individuals. It’s initial reception of being an entertaining novel for young readers to start there reading journey hasn’t change. There’s not many negative opinions toward how the book series has but there are notable honors and awards like being number 1 in new york times best seller for 664 weeks, 2008 kids choice awards “Favorite book”, And ALA Notable Book.
There is one specific controversy topic that stood tall and it was parents becoming uneasy with the main character Greg heffley not being a character to “model” after. In the report a mother of three, Ms. Turek stated that greg is lazy and self interested. And he does things everyday that get him in trouble. Also that after reading it would like to have other parent do a reality check and touch base with how greg treats his friends, or how they feel about the “Cheese” touch which was a big part of his middle school days
How popular was the Book?
The diary of the wimpy kid series has sold over 275 million copies spending 654 weeks upon the new york time best seller list. The series generated over 500 million in revenue and the first book to sell over 100,000 copies over the course of 2010.
The diary of the wimpy kid series gave 2010 a nostalgia run that would never be forgotten. not only was jeff kinney an author but he was also the creator of the infamous poptropica, so in the worlds of poptropica you probably seen a collab and wonder how did it get there.
How big of a impact does the series have ?
Now the book had enough impact to be the top 4th best selling book of all time in new york times ranking. The publisher not only wanted to leave kids with something humorous and a adventurous storyline, but it left readers with a sense of wonder would the series be that successful for this long. And that answer for itself with its multiple selections of books to keep up with it's 17 book series hoping for more as of 2023
As a childrens book yes it was impactful fo younger generation but not as a book that can affect the history of the united states. Eventually it may even be in history books taught to kids who would like to know there history in kid frii
To conclude the reason its one of my favorite books is because i got to experience that can never be met expectations wise. The series took me to a next level of imagination that came in an change my perspective on how children books are supposed to be. Even as a young adult i still re-read some of the books for time to time to remember my childhood all over again. The seeies is still going and i hope other can feel the same way i do
Conclusion
Creditable sources
Rich, Motoko. “Crossover Dreams: Turning Free Web Work into Real Book Sales.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 13 Dec. 2007, https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/13/books/13webbook.html.
“Some Parents Wary of 'Wimpy Kid' Series.” NPR, NPR, 22 Oct. 2009, https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=114051484.
“Wimpy Kid · Official Website for Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Wimpy Kid, 9 Mar. 2023, https://wimpykid.com/.
