Middle School, a right of passage between childhood and the teenage years. So if it's a right of passage, why is it so difficult. That's what Greg is trying to figure out. He's getting ready for his first day, if that wasn't hard enough, he finds himself the victim of the ultimate tormentor... His older brother Rodrick. When the big day actually arrives, it's both better and worse than he thought it would be. At least he has his journal (diary) to record all of the happenings around him. The hierarchy of middle school has so many sub-categories that it's almost impossible to keep up with all of it. Even so, he's determined to try. To make matters even harder, he faces issues about his personal life as well. After all, it all seems to be based on who you know or better yet, who you're friends with. How will he survive the 6th grade? That will all play out as this is told. Mind you, it is all from Greg's perspective. It's an opportunity to see things from the rarely seen perspective of a pre-teen boy... Then again, what could that perspective really be? It just might surprise you. Though this is definitely aimed at a younger audience, there are moments that will appeal to kids of all ages.

Rodrick's Middle School advice:

Don't talk to anyone,
Don't look at anyone,
Don't go anywhere,
Don't sit down,
Don't raise your hand,
Don't go to the bathroom,
Don't get noticed,
Don't choose the wrong locker,
Don't / oh who am I kidding you'll be dead or homeschooled by the end of the year anyway,
Don't be seen with Rowley,