There are books that make you smile, books that make you cry, and then there are books that make you laugh so hard you accidentally snort your drink. Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper” (Book 20, Volume 20) firmly belongs to the last category. The long-running Wimpy Kid series has been a staple for kids (and adults who secretly binge-read it under the covers), and the latest installment doesn’t disappoint.
So, what’s the deal with Greg Heffley this time? Spoiler alert: there’s a birthday party gone completely wrong, and you’re invited to the chaos.
Birthdays are supposed to be fun—balloons, cake, maybe a magician if you’re lucky. But in Greg’s world, things rarely go as planned. In Partypooper, the Heffleys find themselves caught in the whirlwind of planning a birthday celebration that quickly spirals out of control.
Greg tries to dodge responsibility, of course.
His parents, as always, have wildly different ideas about what a perfect birthday looks like.
Add in some over-the-top guests, awkward moments, and a cake disaster, and you’ve got comedy gold.
Fans of the series will recognize Kinney’s trademark style: relatable humor, doodle-style illustrations, and cringe-worthy family dynamics that feel all too real.
By Book 20, you’d think the series might run out of steam. Wrong. Kinney continues to:
✅ Keep the humor fresh and relevant.
✅ Mix slapstick comedy with relatable family drama.
✅ Deliver illustrations that are as funny as the text itself.
✅ Speak to both kids who love silliness and adults who appreciate the satire.
One of the reasons Partypooper works so well is that birthdays are a universal experience—everyone has one, and most people can recall at least one that went hilariously wrong.
What makes Partypooper different from previous Wimpy Kid books is its focus on social chaos at parties. Kinney ramps up the awkwardness, turning small mishaps into epic disasters. Imagine:
A cake that doesn’t survive the big reveal.
Guests who probably shouldn’t have been invited.
A family argument right in front of everyone.
If you’ve ever attended (or hosted) a birthday that felt like a ticking time bomb, you’ll be nodding your head as you flip through these pages.
This book is perfect for:
Kids (ages 8–12) who already love the Wimpy Kid series.
Parents looking for a light-hearted, family-friendly read.
Adults who grew up with Wimpy Kid and want to revisit Greg’s antics.
Educators who want to encourage reluctant readers with something engaging and funny.
The Wimpy Kid formula is deceptively simple: everyday situations turned into over-the-top disasters. But that’s exactly why it works. Partypooper taps into:
The stress of family parties (parents know this too well).
The awkwardness of being a kid when everyone’s watching.
The chaotic joy of celebrating milestones—even when things go wrong.
It’s this blend of comedy and relatability that has made Kinney a #1 international bestselling author with over 275 million copies sold worldwide.
Absolutely. Whether you’re a longtime fan or brand new to the Wimpy Kid world, Partypooper is a laugh-out-loud reminder that life’s disasters often make the best stories. It’s family-friendly, visually fun, and the kind of book you can finish in one sitting—with a smile plastered on your face.
So grab some cake (preferably one that won’t collapse) and settle in for one of Greg’s funniest adventures yet.
Nope! Each book can stand on its own. But reading the earlier ones gives you more context about Greg and his family.
Yes—thanks to the mix of illustrations and text, it’s perfect for kids who don’t usually enjoy reading.
It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most major bookstores—both in print and digital versions.