The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 7)



Last updated Monday, February 1, 2016

Author: Jeff Kinney
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 1419705849
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2016

Synopsis: Greg Heffley is not willing to be the odd man out. A dance at Greg's middle school has everyone scrambling to find a partner, and Greg is determined not to be left by the wayside. So he concocts a desperate plan to find someone—anyone!—to go with on the big night. But Greg's schemes go hilariously awry, and his only option is to attend the dance with his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, and a female classmate as a "group of friends." But the night is long, and anything can happen along the way. Who will arrive at the dance triumphantly, and who will end up being the third wheel?

Note to readers:
•  Vocabulary:
•  paranoid--feeling extremely worried, fearful or suspicious
•  gadgets--a small mechanical devise or tool
•  frustrated--a feeling of anger or annoyance
•  ventilation--to provide fresh air to room or building

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you read other Diary of a Wimpy Kid books?
•  Who is your favorite character and why?
•  What do you think it means to be "The Third Wheel"?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Where do you think he go his chicken pox from?
•  What is your relationship with your brothers or sisters?
•  If you had a school dance, would you ask someone you like to dance?
•  Would you rather give someone a Valentine's Day card or ask them to dance?

Craft ideas:
•  Make a Valentine's Day card for someone you like.
•  Create a candy gram for someone you like.
•  Write a diary with pictures of last week.
•  Check out our February craft ideas on Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/february-2016-crafts/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!