Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal: From the Creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Awesome Friendly Kids – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal: From the Creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Awesome Friendly Kids
book
78%
WISE Score
Rowley finally gets his turn at the diary—and his hilariously oblivious take on life with Greg is pure middle-grade gold.
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal: From the Creator of Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Awesome Friendly Kids
book
78%
WISE Score
Rowley finally gets his turn at the diary—and his hilariously oblivious take on life with Greg is pure middle-grade gold.
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Screenwise Verdict
This is exactly what it promises to be: a fun, fast, harmless spin-off that lets Wimpy Kid fans spend more time in a world they already love. Rowley's voice is sweet and funny, and the format—him trying to write Greg's 'biography' while completely misunderstanding everything—delivers consistent laughs for the target age group.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it going to teach your kid profound life lessons? Also no. But it's a solid middle-grade read that models optimism and might spark some conversations about friendship dynamics, especially if your kid picks up on how Greg manipulates Rowley throughout. The 4.7 Amazon rating and instant bestseller status confirm it hits the mark.
Best for existing Wimpy Kid fans who want more—newcomers should start with the original series. And yes, your kid will probably blow through this in a day, which is fine. Sometimes cotton candy reading is exactly what they need to stay engaged with books.
Age Fit
Perfect for 8-12 year olds, especially those who've already fallen for the Wimpy Kid series. Younger kids might miss some of the irony, while middle schoolers will appreciate Rowley's obliviousness as the real joke. By high school, they've aged out.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88
Rowley's perspective is genuinely sweet and optimistic, offering a refreshing counterpoint to Greg's cynicism. The book models friendship (even when that friendship is hilariously unbalanced), celebrates earnestness, and shows a kid who genuinely tries to see the good in people. The humor is silly and age-appropriate without being mean-spirited, though Rowley's obliviousness to Greg's manipulation adds a layer of irony that older kids will appreciate.
Imaginative
72
The format itself is clever—flipping the Wimpy Kid universe to show Rowley's version of events—but it's ultimately a derivative work playing in an established sandbox. Rowley's 'biography' of Greg is amusingly incompetent and the misunderstandings are creative, but the book doesn't push boundaries or invite much reader creativity beyond enjoying the joke. It's more 'funny twist on a formula' than genuinely imaginative.
Safe
95
Extremely safe. This is classic middle-grade humor with zero content concerns—no violence, no inappropriate language, no mature themes. The only 'conflict' is social awkwardness and friendship dynamics. Rowley's naivety means even Greg's scheming comes across as harmless kid stuff. Parents can hand this to any 8-year-old without a second thought.
Enriching
68
The book offers some subtle lessons about perspective, friendship dynamics, and recognizing when you're being used—though whether kids pick up on Greg's manipulation depends on their age and awareness. Rowley's earnestness is endearing and models resilience, but this is primarily entertainment rather than deep character development. It's a quick, funny read that might spark conversations about what makes a good friend, but it's not going to change anyone's life. The 4.7 Amazon rating and bestseller status confirm it delivers what it promises: laughs.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Flips the Wimpy Kid formula to show Rowley's genuinely sweet, optimistic perspective—a nice break from Greg's cynicism
The humor lands for the target age group: silly, visual, and packed with misunderstandings that 8-12 year olds find hilarious
Subtly shows friendship dynamics and how Greg manipulates Rowley, giving older readers something to discuss about what real friendship looks like
Instant engagement for reluctant readers who already love the Wimpy Kid universe
Rowley's earnestness is genuinely endearing and models resilience without being preachy
⚠
What to Watch For
Works best if your kid has read at least a few Wimpy Kid books—the joke is in seeing familiar events from Rowley's warped perspective
Greg comes off as pretty manipulative, which might be worth discussing depending on your kid's social awareness
It's cotton candy reading: fun, fast, gone in an afternoon, but not particularly nutritious
Conversation Starters
"Do you think Greg is a good friend to Rowley? What would you do if a friend treated you like that?"
"Why do you think Rowley doesn't realize when Greg is using him? Have you ever been in a situation like that?"
"If you wrote a diary about your best friend, what would you say about them? Would they agree with your version?"
"Rowley always tries to see the best in people. Is that a good thing, or does it get him in trouble?"
