Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney

Here's what you need to know: these books are funny. You should read them. Your son should read them.

Okay, want more information? Understandable.

The protagonist is a middle-school student named Greg. He has a surly older brother and an annoying younger brother. His parents are dorks. He's not as popular as he thinks he wants to be. His best friend is irritating, but somehow they manage to stick together. The writing style is completely accessible and sympathetic to a young boy-- and it made me laugh until I cried. (Seriously, the part about wrestling in PE? Hysterical.) Greg isn't an angel, but there's nothing in these books that is blatantly offensive, either. And! It's illustrated in a highly amusing, minimalist style.

Jensen cannot get enough of these books. He spends (no joke) hours at a time, reading and re-reading them. He used his allowance to buy the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book" too, which is a journal with prompts, places to write, and places to draw. He keeps his own journal now, and the prompts have really encouraged him to write imaginatively. This gets the big thumbs-up from Jeff and me.

Jensen is a self-motivated reader, but we're still always on the look-out for books that will really engage him. This definitely did the trick! Funny, elementary-school-hip stuff. Yea! for Jeff Kinney!!!