The 'Wimpy Kid' Alternative with a Heart
By 2026, the 'diary of a kid who is kind of a jerk' genre is well-populated, but James Roy’s Max Quigley, Technically Not a Bully stands out because it actually follows through on the character growth. While Greg Heffley often stays stuck in his own self-interest, Max is forced to confront the reality of his actions through a classic 'forced proximity' trope: being tutored by his victim, Trane.
What makes this work is the voice. Max is funny, and his justifications for his behavior—the 'technicalities'—are exactly the kind of logic kids use to avoid feeling like the bad guy. It’s a great tool for parents to talk about the difference between intent and impact. You can intend to be funny, but if the impact is that someone else feels small, the intent doesn't matter much.
It’s a relatively quick read, making it ideal for kids who prefer high-dialogue, high-humor books. It doesn't have the heavy illustrations of a true hybrid novel, but the pacing is brisk enough to keep the same audience engaged. If your kid is moving into the 'middle school social jungle' phase, this book provides a useful map for identifying which behaviors are worth keeping and which are just 'technically' okay but actually toxic.
