Peirce
Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
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Lincoln Peirce
Lincoln Peirce - 15+ books
Big Nate is the closest thing to Wimpy Kid. Same diary-with-cartoons format, same school setting.
JK
Author - Books in order
Jeff Kinney books in order
Children's Humor Author & Illustrator - b. February 19, 1971, Fort Washington, Maryland, USA - Updated June 2026
18+
novels
N/A
stories
275 million+
copies sold
Jeff Kinney created Diary of a Wimpy Kid as an online comic on Funbrain.com before it became a book series in 2007. The illustrated, diary-format books turned reluctant readers into avid ones, selling over 275 million copies worldwide. Greg Heffley's misadventures in middle school resonate because Kinney captures the petty indignities and social landmines of that age with dead-on accuracy and simple cartoon illustrations. Kinney also owns a bookstore, An Unlikely Story, in Plainville, Massachusetts.
Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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1
Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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1
Where to start
New to Kinney? Start with Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) - a tight, self-contained read that is the definitive Kinney experience.
18+ novels - standalone, no series commitment
Publication order
Notable novels - newest readers can dip in anywhere; completists read top to bottom.
| # | Book | Year | Rating | Where to read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy KidStart here Children's Humor | 2007 | 4.0 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 2 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Children's Humor | 2008 | 4.1 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 3 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Children's Humor | 2009 | 4.0 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 4 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Children's Humor | 2009 | 4.1 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 5 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Children's Humor | 2010 | 3.9 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 6 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Children's Humor | 2011 | 4.0 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 7 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Children's Humor | 2014 | 3.9 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $7.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $10.99 |
| 8 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Children's Humor | 2017 | 3.9 | Kindle $6.99Paperback $8.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $11.99 |
| 9 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Big Shot Children's Humor | 2021 | 3.8 | Kindle $7.99Paperback $9.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $12.99 |
| 10 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer Children's Humor | 2023 | 3.8 | Kindle $7.99Paperback $9.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $12.99 |
| 11 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess Children's Humor | 2024 | 3.8 | Kindle $8.99Paperback $10.99Audible $14.95Bookshop $13.99 |
Series & where they fit
Kinney's standalones are most of the work, but these series reward reading in order.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Most popular19 books - 2007-2024 - Children's Humor
Greg Heffley documents his life in middle school with journal entries and stick-figure cartoons. Consistently funny and painfully relatable.
Start with Rodrick Rules - See order →
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Books
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Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Books
3 books - 2019-2021 - Children's Humor
Greg's best friend Rowley tells his own stories. A lighter, sweeter spin-off.
Start with Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid - See order →
Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
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Best book to start with
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The most complete on-ramp to Kinney: a contained story that shows exactly why this author matters.
Build your Kinney shelf
Most-loved titles in print, or start listening free on Audible.
If you like Jeff Kinney
Authors and series with the same grip.
Pilkey
Dog Man
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Dav Pilkey
Dav Pilkey - 20+ books
Captain Underpants and Dog Man share that same reluctant-reader magic. Silly, illustrated, and wildly popular.
Jeff Kinney books & movies in order
See every book matched to its screen version, with where to watch.
Frequently asked questions
Not strictly, but it helps. There are recurring jokes and character developments that pay off better in order. The first four books are the strongest stretch.
Ages 7 to 12 is the target range. The books are especially good for reluctant readers because the cartoon illustrations break up the text and keep kids turning pages.
19 main series books as of 2024, plus three Rowley Jefferson spin-offs and a handful of activity and special edition books.
Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026