One backyard bash, one deflating bouncy house, one very public crush reveal.
Who drives the story
The wimpy kid himself, desperate to look cool at a party designed to embarrass him. He loses his journal privacy, his crush's good opinion, and his allowance to a torn sumo costume.
Greg's mom, who throws the retro-themed bash and invites the whole neighborhood. She also pulls the plug on Löded Diper mid-song over a lyric.
Greg's dad, enforcing bouncy house safety rules all afternoon. He gets the last word: he's proud of Greg.
Greg's best friend, radiant in an inflatable sumo costume until it sticks in the bouncy house and tears. His ruined costume becomes Greg's debt.
Also in the story
Greg's older brother, drumming for Löded Diper until Susan cuts the power. The band storms off.
The spoiled youngest Heffley, greeting guests with a riddle and later locking himself in the bathroom over cake candles.
The odd neighbor kid who does contortions and then reads Greg's journal aloud, spilling the Holly Hills crush to the whole party.
Greg's crush, exposed by Fregley's reading. Her verdict, relayed by Heather, is that Greg is 'immature.'
Holly's older sister, who laughs at the journal reveal and delivers Holly's verdict to Greg.
Rodrick's band, playing the party until the plug gets pulled over a lyric. They storm off in protest.
How they are connected
Greg's mom, who throws the retro-themed bash and invites the whole neighborhood.
She also pulls the plug on Löded Diper mid-song over a lyric.
Greg's dad, enforcing bouncy house safety rules all afternoon.
Greg's best friend, radiant in an inflatable sumo costume until it sticks in the bouncy house and tears.
Greg's older brother, drumming for Löded Diper until Susan cuts the power.
Greg's older brother, drumming for Löded Diper until Susan cuts the power.
Greg's older brother, drumming for Löded Diper until Susan cuts the power.
The odd neighbor kid who does contortions and then reads Greg's journal aloud, spilling the Holly Hills crush to the whole party.
The odd neighbor kid who does contortions and then reads Greg's journal aloud, spilling the Holly Hills crush to the whole party.
Greg's crush, exposed by Fregley's reading.
Her verdict, relayed by Heather, is that Greg is 'immature.
Holly's older sister, who laughs at the journal reveal and delivers Holly's verdict to Greg.
Go deeper
Parents' image vs. kids' dignity · Privacy as fragile as a balloon · Fun under regulation · The cost of other people's celebrations
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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