Greg Heffley's diary starts with summer and the misery of being on the swim team (his father's idea). His friend Rowley has gone on another exciting vacation that Greg doesn't want to hear about. His little brother Manny and his parents are still tending to drive him crazy.
However, Greg's biggest problem is his big brother, Rodrick. Rodrick rules because he "is the only one who knows about this REALLY embarrassing thing that happened to me over the summer, and he's been holding it over my head ever since." Despite this worry, Greg continues on his goofy way, dealing with school, bullies, homework, and family, especially Rodrick.
Ultimately, the secret gets out and due to all the changes in the story as it passes from person to person, it is no longer something that is an embarrassment to Greg. By the book's end, when push comes to shove, Greg has set aside his animosity and tries to help Rodrick when he needs it.
The format of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules is the same as the first book. Lined pages and Greg's pen and ink sketches and cartoons really make the book seem like an actual diary. Greg is still not the poster boy for the perfect kid, but that adds to the realism and the fun as he suffers the consequences of some of his poor choices.
While you don't have to read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid to enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, I would recommend doing so to enjoy Greg's account in chronological order. Recommended for 'tweens and younger teens. (Amulet Books, 2008. ISBN: 9780810994737)
