No Brainer

Diary of a Wimpy Kid #18

by Jeff Kinney

In No Brainer , book 18 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, it’s up to Greg to save his crumbling school before it’s shuttered for good.

Up until now, middle school hasn’t exactly been a joyride for Greg Heffley. So when the town threatens to close the crumbling building, he’s not too broken up about it.

But when Greg realizes this means he’s going to be sent to a different school than his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, he changes his tune. Can Greg and his classmates save their school before it’s shuttered for good? Or is this the start of a whole new chapter for Greg?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Humor, Childrens, Graphic Novels, Realistic Fiction, Comedy

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Jeff Kinney is an author of children's books including Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series. Jeff was born in College Park, Maryland, in 1971 where he created a comic strip called "Igdoof."He also created the children's website 'Poptropica'.

Reviews

[Fred Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, I know, reading age 8-12 but in for a penny, in for a pound. Been reading these as they come out for a long time, despite my 77 years. Partly because of the appeal to my sophomoric sense of humor, partly because it doesn't seem to me that middle school was that long ago. Maybe reading these causes that! At any rate, a good addition to the series and quite a few laugh out loud moments. Enjoy!

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely one of the least amusing books in the series, I almost quit at the halfway point as I wasn't finding it funny or engaging. Kinney tries too hard to bring in current controversial topics and fit them into a school setting, but it's often a far reach and a far-fetched likelihood. It felt like the start of many ideas that weren't enough to carry a full book, but also didn't come together collectively and cohesively to amuse and entertain.

I imagine it's incredibly difficult to come up with fresh and safe ideas in this limited setting, but I'm not sure that all of the tongue-in cheek mocking will land with school-age readers. A return to the style of the earliest books would be much appreciated by readers of all ages.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how this covered everything from book bans to "healthy" school lunches to budget cuts and basically everything plaguing schools today. Kids will find it hilarious, but parents/teachers/librarians will find an edge to the humor, and more than a little "it's funny because it's true which makes it almost uncomfortable to laugh at."

[emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

riveting, profound, philosophical, never been done before

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one and how behind his school system was.

[. · Rating 1 out of 5]

never thought i'd be saying this about a diary of a wimpy kid book but this was honestly a chore to get through

[Reilly Zimbric · Rating 1 out of 5]

The end of an era.
Bye Greg, I’ll see you when the next book comes out.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This focused more on one specific situations in Greg’s life rather than a more balanced approach that the earlier books had, but I get it, considering Kinney’s been writing these for 15+ years. I have friends who are teachers, so this particular book was a little more depressing than Wimpy Kids usually are. Reminded me a bit of Idiocracy at the end. Really liked that Kinney wasn’t capitalizing a word or two every page, too; that’s usually distracting.

[Ben Cela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I don't leave reviews on Diary of a Wimpy Kid books but I just have to say how it amazes me how consistent Jeff Kinney is! Like how have ALL 18 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid been funny? What's even more amazing is that the eighteenth book in the series might be the funniest one. Genuinely laughed-out-loud so many times during No Brainer! Also, Jeff Kinney sprinkling in commentary about AI, flat earth theory, and capitalism??? KING

[Shadyside Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing Greg go back to school and continue living the awful life of a middle schooler… but this time at a school that is falling apart! hilarious! Although, I do wish we got to see more of the OG characters like Rodrick and Rowley. This book truly is all about Greg.

[رزی - Woman, Life, Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

یه کتابدار لطف کنه نسخه‌ی فارسی این کتاب رو اضافه کنه

این جلد درباره مدرسه عجیب گرگ هفلیه که با اونهمه ماجرای عجیب دیگه یکم اذیتت می‌کنه چون طنزش زیاده از حد مبالغه کرده و دیگه خنده‌دار نیست. شایدم اصلاً دراماهای مربوط به مدرسه برای من خنده‌دار نیست. نمی‌تونم با highschool-dramaهای آمریکایی ارتباط بگیرم وقتی خودم توی مدارس ایران بزرگ شدم.

[Catherine Titcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

it didn’t wrap up the series at the end so i’m a little nervous jeff is still writing. i do want to thank my followers in this journey for believing in me and cheering me on. 💪

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're so back

[Alyssa Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

hands-down excellent. both a riveting first-person story and an intelligent commentary on the lack of funding in public schools.
also touches on consumerism, AI, fake news, meritocracy, and more.

this is the severance for middle schoolers, from the narrator we all know love and trust: GREG HEFFLEY

[Thomas Best · Rating 2 out of 5]

no story line

I have read all the books and they have all been 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but this one had no story line or point of reference I have lived the series can’t wait till the next one comes out

[James Musial · Rating 2 out of 5]

no brain is right. rowley has one appearance in this book. rodrick and manny featured even less. totally lost the plot

[Katerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun filled installment of Greg Heffley’s middle school adventures. This time his school is in trouble due to kids’ low grades and everyone is looking for ways to prevent it from closing. How will the kids/teachers/cooks do it this time?

Highly recommend! 😊📚

[Nishana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

honestly this was a great time.

one thing i loved most about this instalment in the series is how it integrates real life topics and issues like book banning, school budget cuts, classism and capitalism (yes im serious). of course, this is done in the most diary of a wimpy kid way possible, which was exaggerated and incredibly unserious. whilst touching on these issues in a very surface level manner, i still think it goes a long way for an 18th novel in a children's comedy series. it was done in such a fun way and i loved it.

the only issue i had with this book is the lack of focus on greg and the supporting characters. especially so far into the series, i truly feel that the characters are the heart of this series and their lack of presence felt like such a missed opportunity. it's actually baffling thinking about how little rowley, rodrick and manny appeared in this book.

overall, this was a quick and enjoyable read! as always, i'll definitely be tuning in to the next one.

[Brittny's Book Talk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

The book definitely picked up towards the end, but overall it was rather boring. I usually love reading about the family dynamic, and even the friend dynamics, but this solely focused on real world issues put into a way kids would understand. And most of the book wasn't even ABOUT Greg it was what Greg was SEEING.

Let's keep in mind, I have been reading these since 2nd grade and now just graduated high school. Long time commitment to this series, but I think Diary of a Wimpy Kid might be nearing the end of it's days. Because, honestly the last really good book in the series was like 5 books ago.

[Meagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a bad book

[Mobina · Rating 5 out of 5]

یکی از فان ترین جلد های این مجموعه بود. کلا از بچگی مجموعه بچه چلمن رو میخوندم و به نظرم مجموعه ای هس که هرکس باید بخونه تو زندگیش چون خیلی بامزه و حال خوب کنه

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg's school doesn't have any funding left for anything basically and the school board is doing anything and everything they can to get some cash. They invited all the businesses in the area to advertise wherever they can from the floors to the toilet sinks. They even invited people to re-name the school for money. If there are no takers then the school would be shut down and sadly Greg and Rowley will have to go to separate schools. What would happen when Greg has to go to a new school?

I wasn't expecting much after the previous read in the series but surprisingly I loved this. All the issues that the schools are facing today were mentioned but with a lot more clarity and hilarity. Greg's family wasn't really there but the concept was a specific one so that's understandable. As usual, the sketches were amazing.

4 stars

[Doris Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

greg heffley’s political era

[Claire Kronmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book to end 2023 🥱🫡

[maelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was less fun than the others, mostly because for almost the whole book it revolves around the school finding absurd ways to get money and it only seemed like a succession of events that got more and more unbelievable. Like, students just casually bringing digging objects and digging in the lockers’ wall …? Making a middle schooler principal for the day and expecting him to resolve the problems…? I know credibility isn’t the thing you’re looking for when reading this series but this one took it a bit too far to my liking, we were running in circles and it became more and more ridiculous. It became a bit better at the end when we finally got to talk about other things and saw other characters, but it was really short. Sad that we didn’t get to see more of his family as well. I think it made some good points on serious issues tho.

[✧˚.s̶o̶f̶i̶a̶ৎ── · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭒˚.⋆ 💚⋆⭒˚🧠.⋆˚. ╰┈➤2.5⭐️


-it was okay , didn't hit the 'same' obviously since have grown out . but maybe it's time to move on?
-still a quick refreshing read , a bit nostalgic , don't remember the last time read the last book....*sighs* ,
-time is so terrible.

[Maciej Skulimowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kolejny tom absurdalnych przygód Grega - kolejne 5/5. Niesamowite to jest dla mnie, że Jeff Kinney napisał łącznie już ponad dwadzieścia książek w tej serii, a nadal mi się to nie przejadło i bawię się świetnie.

[JustCharli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know, I know, I’m reading them out of order now.

[Hitesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read something light and funny, after reading so many crimes.

Good one, with a good message at the end.

Liked it.

[el (celestialbronz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

FINALLY back to school again, after the last few books set mainly outside of school, even though there's almost no appearance of Rowley. It was quite fun and absurd as usual lmao.