Head-to-head
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School vs In a Class by Himself
Both are irreverent middle-grade comedies about school life with illustrated humor, perfect for 8-12 year-olds who love jokes and relatability.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School
by Jeff Kinney
The ultimate reluctant-reader magnet disguised as a diary about surviving life without Wi-Fi
In a Class by Himself
by Lincoln Peirce
The school-comedy gateway that turns reluctant readers into book-finishers
Score comparison
| Score | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School | In a Class by Himself | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kid Score | 68 | 68 | Tied |
| Parent Score | 55 | 53 | Tied |
| Teacher Score | 56 | 55 | Tied |
✓ Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School — perfect for
- •Kids ages eight to twelve who love humor-driven stories with illustrations on every page. Especially effective for reluctant readers who resist traditional chapter books but will devour a diary-format story that feels more like reading a friend's notebook than doing homework.
✓ In a Class by Himself — perfect for
- •Kids who loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid and want more illustrated school humor with a confident
- •creative protagonist who never stops trying despite constant setbacks
Our take
There's no universal winner here — the right pick depends on who's reading. Both books score the same with kids — pick on vibe.
Still not sure? Take the 2-minute SPARK quiz — we'll pick the one that fits your specific kid's reading personality.
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