Dog Days

Reach for this book when your child is pushing back against family plans or struggling to balance screen time with your expectations for a productive summer. This fourth installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series explores the tension between Greg's desire for a low-effort indoor life and his mother's push for wholesome outdoor activities and family bonding. Through Greg's self-centered but highly relatable perspective, the story touches on themes of honesty, social embarrassment, and the adjustments required when a new pet enters the home. It is a perfect choice for reluctant readers aged 8 to 12 who respond well to humor and need to see their own frustrations with parental rules mirrored in a lighthearted, non-judgmental way.