Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6: Cabin Fever

Written by: Jeff Kinney

First line: Most people look forward to the holidays, but the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas just makes me a nervous wreck.

Why you should read this book: Whiny, self-entitled slacker Greg Heffley is back, and this time he's inadvertently showing his softer side: taking tender care of a virtual pet, mourning a lost doll, and trying to help old ladies (resulting in widespread reports of old ladies being kidnapped), plus trying to trick Santa into keeping him on the "nice" list. When a tremendous blizzard covers the town in snow, Greg, his mom, and his brothers (his father is comfortably holed up in a hotel) must brave the dangers of rationed food, a flooded basement, no electricity, and cabin fever. His selfishness even accidentally leads to accolades, when he shovels the church parking lot (looking for money he thinks a good Samaritan might have left him) and ends up saving Christmas for those who depended on the church's soup kitchen for their Christmas meal.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You (or your progeny) are already well on your way to becoming a juvenile delinquent.