Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Wrecking Ball
Introduction
It’s summer vacation, the weather’s great, and all the kids are having fun outside. So where’s Greg Heffley? Inside his house, playing video games with the shades drawn. Greg, a self-confessed “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules. But Greg’s mom has a different vision for an ideal summer . . . one packed with outdoor activities and “family togetherness.” Whose vision will win out? Or will a new addition to the Heffley family change everything?
Book Club Questions
What were your initial thoughts about “Wrecking Ball”? Did it meet your expectations for a “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book? Why or why not?
The Heffley family encounters various challenges when they decide to renovate their house. Which home improvement mishap or project was your favorite, and why?
Greg and Manny have a complex relationship throughout the series. How did their interactions and conflicts develop in this book, and how do you think they will continue to evolve in future installments?
The book explores the theme of family and the dynamics between family members. What are some key family moments in “Wrecking Ball,” and how do they reflect the joys and struggles of family life?
Greg’s dad, Frank Heffley, is quite handy and thrifty. How does his character contribute to the humor and the conflicts in the story?
The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series is known for its illustrations. Did the illustrations in “Wrecking Ball” enhance your reading experience? Were there any specific illustrations that you found particularly funny or memorable?
In this book, Greg faces challenges at school and with his friends. How does he navigate these challenges, and what can we learn from his experiences?
The idea of making money from unusual sources is a recurring theme in the series. What are some of the money-making schemes the characters come up with in “Wrecking Ball,” and how do they turn out?
Jeff Kinney often includes life lessons in his books. What lessons or morals can we draw from “Wrecking Ball,” and how do they apply to both kids and adults?
“Wrecking Ball” ends on a cliffhanger. What are your predictions for the next book in the series? How do you think the events in this book will impact the future of the Heffley family?
How does “Wrecking Ball” compare to other books in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series in terms of humor, character development, and overall storytelling?
If you could give the Heffley family any advice for their home renovation project, what would it be?
Fictionary Questions
1. If you were a character in the book, which Heffley family member would you relate to the most, and why? Would you handle the house renovation project differently than they did?
2. Imagine you’re Greg’s best friend. How would you help him deal with his school and friendship troubles in the book?
3. If you had to choose one of the home improvement mishaps in the story to be a part of, which one would it be, and how would you contribute to the chaos or try to prevent it?
4. Create an alternate ending for “Wrecking Ball.” How would you resolve the story differently, and what impact would it have on the Heffley family’s future?
5. Pick a minor character from the book, such as a schoolmate or a neighbor, and develop a short story or a diary entry from their perspective, shedding light on their experiences with the Heffleys and their renovation project.
6. Design your own “Wimpy Kid” comic or journal entry based on a humorous or memorable moment from the book. Share it with your book club and explain why you chose that scene to illustrate.
7. If you had a chance to give the Heffley family advice or assistance during their renovation, what would you recommend to make the process smoother or more enjoyable for them?
8. In the story, Greg’s dad is known for his frugality. If you were to create a budget for the Heffley’s renovation, how would you allocate their resources differently, and why
9. If you could spend a day with one character from the book, who would it be, and what activities would you do together? Describe your day with that character.
10. Imagine “Wrecking Ball” as a movie. Who would you cast in the roles of the Heffley family members and other key characters, and why? What scenes would you emphasize to make the story engaging on the big screen?
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