Reading order · 20 books · 2007 to 2025 · Set in an American suburb
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books in Order
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is the illustrated journal of Greg Heffley, a scheming, self-centred middle schooler, with his loyal best friend Rowley, his rock-drummer older brother Rodrick and his annoying toddler brother Manny. Very funny books for younger readers.
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Series facts
- Books
- 20
- Published
- 2007 to 2025
- First book
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Latest
- Partypooper (2025)
- Setting
- Set in an American suburb
The reading order
Every Diary of a Wimpy Kid book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
20 books · Set in an American suburb
- 1Diary of a Wimpy Kid2007With Greg HeffleyGreg Heffley starts middle school and keeps a journal, which he insists is not a diary.Buy on Amazon
- 2Rodrick Rules2008With Greg HeffleyGreg’s older brother Rodrick knows Greg’s most embarrassing secret from the summer, and Greg will do anything to keep it hidden.Buy on Amazon
- 3The Last Straw2009With Greg HeffleyGreg’s father is determined to toughen him up, and threatens to send him to military school.Buy on Amazon
- 4Dog Days2009With Greg HeffleyIt is the summer holidays, and Greg just wants to stay inside playing video games, but his mother has other plans, and the family gets a dog.Buy on Amazon
- 5The Ugly Truth2010With Greg HeffleyGreg and Rowley have fallen out, and Greg has to face growing up on his own.Buy on Amazon
- 6Cabin Fever2011With Greg HeffleyGreg is accused of damaging school property, and then the family is snowed in just before Christmas.Buy on Amazon
- 7The Third Wheel2012With Greg HeffleyGreg needs a date for the Valentine’s Day dance.Buy on Amazon
- 8Hard Luck2013With Greg HeffleyRowley has a girlfriend, and Greg, without his best friend, turns to a Magic 8 Ball to make his decisions.Buy on Amazon
- 9The Long Haul2014With Greg HeffleyThe Heffley family sets off on a road trip that goes wrong at every turn.Buy on Amazon
- 10Old School2015With Greg HeffleyGreg’s town goes without electronics for a weekend, and Greg is sent on a school trip to a nature camp.Buy on Amazon
- 11Double Down2016With Greg HeffleyGreg’s mother wants him to try something new, so he decides to make a horror film.Buy on Amazon
- 12The Getaway2017With Greg HeffleyThe Heffleys escape the cold for a Christmas holiday at a tropical resort, which turns out not to be paradise.Buy on Amazon
- 13The Meltdown2018With Greg HeffleyA snow day turns Greg’s neighbourhood into a battleground.Buy on Amazon
- 14Wrecking Ball2019With Greg HeffleyThe Heffleys come into some money and decide to renovate their house, with disastrous results.Buy on Amazon
- 15The Deep End2020With Greg HeffleyThe Heffleys take a camping trip in a borrowed camper van.Buy on Amazon
- 16Big Shot2021With Greg HeffleyGreg is forced into sport, and joins a basketball team.Buy on Amazon
- 17Diper Överlöde2022With Greg Heffley and Rodrick HeffleyGreg becomes a roadie for his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper.Buy on Amazon
- 18No Brainer2023With Greg HeffleyGreg’s school is falling apart and may close, and Greg tries to save it.Buy on Amazon
- 19Hot Mess2024With Greg HeffleyThe Heffleys head to a beach house for a family reunion.Buy on Amazon
- 20Partypooper2025With Greg HeffleyGreg Heffley plans an elaborate birthday celebration for himself, but as more guests arrive and the surprises go wrong, the party descends into chaos.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Each book stands alone and can be read in any order, but starting with Diary of a Wimpy Kid is best.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Greg Heffley | Rodrick Heffley | Rowley Jefferson | Manny Heffley | Susan Heffley | Frank Heffley |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Diary of a Wimpy Kid | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 2 Rodrick Rules | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 3 The Last Straw | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 4 Dog Days | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 5 The Ugly Truth | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 6 Cabin Fever | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 7 The Third Wheel | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 8 Hard Luck | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 9 The Long Haul | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 10 Old School | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 11 Double Down | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 12 The Getaway | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 13 The Meltdown | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 14 Wrecking Ball | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 15 The Deep End | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 16 Big Shot | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 17 Diper Överlöde | LLead | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 18 No Brainer | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 19 Hot Mess | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 20 Partypooper | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
Characters in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
6 characters from Jeff Kinney’s chart, with the number of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Greg HeffleySelf-centred middle schooler | 20 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2007 |
| Rodrick HeffleyGreg's older brother | 20 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2007 |
| Rowley JeffersonGreg's sweet best friend | 20 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2007 |
| Manny HeffleyGreg's toddler brother | 20 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2007 |
| Susan HeffleyGreg's mother | 20 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2007 |
| Frank HeffleyGreg's father | 20 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2007 |