New Releases by JEFF KINNEY

Greg struggles to stay on Santa''s ''nice'' list while snowed in with the rest of the Heffley family in the days leading up to Christmas

Follows an American boy through another school year of activities, friendships and family life.

Greg Heffley keeps a diary of the school year because of his mother.

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? F&P level: T

The highly anticipated third book in the critically acclaimed and bestselling series takes the art of being wimpy to a whole new level. Let''s face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg''s father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other "manly" endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his father''s efforts to change him. But when Greg''s dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up . . . or get shipped out. Greg and his family and friends, who make the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books a must-read for middle school readers, are back and at their best in this hilarious new installment of the series, which is sure to please current fans while attracting new ones. Publishers Weekly-1/19/2009: The third book in this genre-busting series is certain to enlarge Kinney''s presence on the bestseller lists, where the previous titles have taken up residence for the past two years. Kinney''s spot-on humor and winning formula of deadpan text set against cartoons are back in full force. This time, Greg starts off on New Year''s Day (he resolves to "help other people improve," telling his mother, "I think you should work on chewing your potato chips more quietly") and ends with summer vacation. As he fends off his father''s attempts to make him more of a man (the threat of military school looms), Greg''s hapless adventures include handing out anonymous valentines expressing his true feelings ("Dear James, You smell"), attempting to impress his classmate Holly and single-handedly wrecking his soccer team''s perfect season. Kinney allows himself some insider humor as well, with Greg noting the "racket" children''s book authors have going. "All you have to do is make up a character with a snappy name, and then make sure the character learns a lesson at the end of the book." Greg, self-centered as ever, may be the exception proving that rule. Ages 8-12. (Jan.) F&P level: T

Grey''s father enlists him in organized sports and other endeavors in order to get him to toughen up.

Middle-schooler Greg Heffley nimbly sidesteps his father''s attempts to change Greg''s wimpy ways until his father threatens to send him to military school.

In the latest diary of middle-schooler Greg Heffley, he records his attempts to spend his summer vacation sensibly indoors playing video games and watching television, despite his mother''s other ideas.

The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling book! Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved. Whatever you do, don’t ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn’t want to talk about it. As Greg enters the new school year, he’s eager to put the past three months behind him . . . and one event in particular. Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of getting out . . . especially when a diary is involved. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg’s attempts to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe. F&P level: T

"Wimpy kid" Greg Heffley provides instructions for other kids to create their own journals.