Clara’s Verdict
Old School, the tenth Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, sets Greg Heffley against the one thing he is least equipped to survive: a life without screens. When his town decides to unplug and go electronics-free, the comedy more or less writes itself, and Kinney has a fine time watching his hero flounder in a world that suddenly runs on old-fashioned effort. It is a clever premise, and a timely one.
There is a gentle irony threaded through the book, because for all Greg’s horror at the simple life, the story keeps hinting that the old ways had their charms. Kinney never lectures, which I am grateful for, and the point lands more sweetly for being left unspoken. It is Greg, after all, who is least suited to any of it.
As ever, this is undemanding, fast and funny, and it asks very little of the listener beyond a willingness to laugh. Reaching double figures, the series shows no sign of tiredness here, and the electronics-free hook gives it a freshness that keeps things ticking along.
There is a sly cleverness to the way Kinney frames the whole experiment, letting the reader enjoy the fantasy of a simpler life while never pretending Greg could survive it. That double vision, nostalgic and sceptical at once, gives the book a little more to chew on than its premise might suggest, and it is handled with the lightest possible touch.
About the Audiobook
Life, Greg suspects, was better in the old days, or at least that is the question the tenth book keeps turning over. His town has voluntarily decided to unplug and go completely electronics-free, and while there is a certain nobility to the experiment, modern life has its conveniences, and Greg is emphatically not cut out for a world without them.
As tension builds both inside and outside the Heffley home, the book asks whether Greg can find a way to survive, or whether going old school is simply too much to ask of a boy like him. As the tenth title in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, it takes a broad, appealing idea and filters it through Greg’s uniquely self-interested outlook, mining plenty of comedy from his struggle to cope without the comforts he takes for granted.
The Narration
Dan Russell narrates, and the audiobook is offered in binaural audio, so headphones bring out the best in the production. Over two hours and nine minutes he keeps Greg’s delivery dry and put-upon, which suits a boy affronted by the very idea of hard work. Russell handles the escalating domestic tension with a light, comic touch.
What I enjoy about his reading is the restraint, the way he lets Kinney’s understatement do the work rather than reaching for easy laughs. The pace is quick and the runtime short, making this a friendly, low-commitment listen for children who prefer their stories in brisk, digestible chapters.
What Readers Say
Holding a 4.6 average across 31 ratings, Old School is a firm favourite. One reviewer called these quick, punchy and funny reads that cover a pleasing range of topics, and reported that a nine-year-old could not tell the difference between a new copy and a gently used one, being far too busy enjoying it. A grandparent noted that a seven-year-old grandson loves the whole series and rated this one highly.
Even the more measured reviews are affectionate. One four-star reader worked carefully through the story before concluding it was a strong entry, and the overall picture is of children returning again and again to Greg for the reliable comfort of knowing exactly what they are going to get.
Other reviewers add their voices warmly. One described a nephew who loved it and pronounced it a must-buy, while several parents returned to the same reassurance, that these quick, funny reads keep children turning pages without any sense of effort. The picture is of a book slotting comfortably into an already devoted young readership.
Who Should Listen?
This will appeal to children of around seven and up, and to any adult quietly curious about a screen-free thought experiment played for laughs. It makes an easy family listen for a weekend afternoon or a long drive, and reluctant readers in particular tend to respond well to its speed and simplicity.
Old School is a fine pick for a child who lives on screens, if only for the gentle mischief of watching Greg deprived of his own. It makes an easy family listen for a weekend, and its short, self-contained chapters suit reluctant readers who like to feel they are making swift progress.
If the idea of Greg surviving a world without screens amuses you, you can Listen to Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School on Audible and find out whether he makes it.
