Diary of a Wimpy Kid Box Set Guide: Every Set Compared

The short answer: the best-value Diary of a Wimpy Kid box set for most children is the 18-book collection (£44.99 at the time of writing). According to its listing it contains books 1–17 plus the Do-It-Yourself Book. Add the books 19–21 set and you're almost completely up to date. Below you'll find every Wimpy Kid book in order, a comparison of the sets we stock and tips for keeping reluctant readers hooked.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid box sets compared

Prices checked on our product pages in October 2026; listings can change, so always check the "Titles in this set" section before you buy.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid books in order

Jeff Kinney's series follows Greg Heffley through middle school in a diary full of handwritten notes and cartoons. Here is the full main series in publication order:

• 1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
• 2. Rodrick Rules
• 3. The Last Straw
• 4. Dog Days
• 5. The Ugly Truth
• 6. Cabin Fever
• 7. The Third Wheel
• 8. Hard Luck
• 9. The Long Haul
• 10. Old School
• 11. Double Down
• 12. The Getaway
• 13. The Meltdown
• 14. Wrecking Ball
• 15. The Deep End
• 16. Big Shot
• 17. Diper Överlöde
• 18. No Brainer
• 19. Hot Mess
• 20. Partypooper
• 21. Fight or Flight

The Do-It-Yourself Book is not a numbered story. It's a fill-in journal where children write and draw their own diary, which makes it a great extra for reluctant writers. There are also spin-offs narrated by Greg's best friend, Rowley Jefferson.

Do you need to read them in order?

Not strictly. Each book is a self-contained school year (or part of one), so a child can pick up any title and laugh. Reading in order does help with running jokes, such as the Cheese Touch and Rodrick's band, Löded Diper, and with Greg's slowly changing family life. If you're buying a box set, start with book 1.

Meet the Heffleys: who's who

• Greg Heffley: the "wimpy kid" himself, with big plans and very little effort.
• Rowley Jefferson: Greg's kind, loyal and slightly naive best friend, who often comes out on top.
• Rodrick: Greg's older brother, drummer in the band Löded Diper and a constant source of trouble.
• Manny: the youngest Heffley, who somehow always gets his own way.
• Mum and Dad: Susan and Frank, doing their best to keep the family on track.

Children love spotting how these characters change, and how they don't, across the series. It's one more reason the books are best enjoyed as a set.

Which Wimpy Kid box set should you buy?

For a brand-new reader: the 18-book collection

The 18-book set is our pick. Its title list runs from book 1 to book 17, Diper Överlöde, plus the Do-It-Yourself Book, so that's months of reading in one order. At £44.99 at the time of writing, it works out at roughly £2.50 a book.

For a smaller budget: the 12-book box

The 12-book box of books (£29.99) covers the early part of the series and includes the Do-It-Yourself Book. Its title list is worth checking carefully, because it may not include every book from 1 to 11. If your child already owns some early titles, this can also be an easy top-up.

For a child who has read the early books

Pick up where they left off with the books 12–17 set (£17.65) or the Meltdown, Wrecking Ball and Deep End trio (£24.99). Single titles such as Double Down (book 11) (£7.99) are handy for replacing a lost copy.

For a fan who is up to date

The books 19–21 set brings Hot Mess, Partypooper and the newest book, Fight or Flight, together. Note that the listing describes it as mixed format. For book 18, No Brainer, use our Wimpy Kid search to see current sets and single copies.

For comic-loving kids: Wimpy Kid plus Big Nate

The 20-book Wimpy Kid & Big Nate set (£42.49) pairs early Wimpy Kid titles with eight Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce. If you love Greg, you'll love Nate: a sixth-grader convinced he's destined for greatness, despite the detention slips.

What age is Diary of a Wimpy Kid for?

Most children discover Greg Heffley between about seven and twelve. The short chapters, big type and cartoons on almost every page make the books very approachable for newly independent readers. The humour about older brothers, school and embarrassing parents keeps older children laughing too. It's no surprise the series is a classroom staple: according to its US publisher, Abrams, the series passed 300 million copies sold worldwide.

The books have no strong language or scary content. The humour comes from Greg's very human flaws: he's lazy, a bit selfish and always looking for shortcuts. Many parents find this sparks good conversations about fairness and friendship, especially about how Greg treats the loyal Rowley.

Find more books for this stage in books for ages 7–9 and books for ages 9–12.

Why Wimpy Kid works for reluctant readers

• Every page feels quick. Cartoons break up the text, so pages turn fast and children feel a sense of progress.
• It's genuinely funny. Laughing out loud is the best motivation to keep going.
• There's lots of it. With over twenty books, a child who finishes one has plenty more waiting.
• It's relatable. Greg's worries about school, friends and siblings are familiar to almost every child.

A simple tip: leave the next book in the series where your child will find it. A complete box set on the shelf turns "I've finished" into "what's next?" without a trip to the shops.

What to read after Diary of a Wimpy Kid

When your child has finished Greg's diaries, try another funny, illustrated series:

• Tom Gates by Liz Pichon: doodle-filled, very British and brilliant for fans of Greg's style.
• Dog Man by Dav Pilkey: fully illustrated graphic novels for the youngest end of the age range.
• Big Nate 8-book set (£14.89): comic-strip chaos from a hero with huge ambitions.
• Horrid Henry: shorter stories that suit younger siblings.

For a whole-shelf plan by reading age, see our guide to children's book box sets by age. If your child is ready for something longer, try our Roald Dahl box set guide.

Wimpy Kid box set checklist

• Check the "Titles in this set" list on the product page and compare it with books your child already owns.
• Decide whether you want the Do-It-Yourself Book. It's a fun extra, but it isn't a story.
• Check the format: most sets are paperback, but some newer titles are hardback.
• Buying a series catch-up and a gift together? Our Bundle Savings page lists the current multi-buy codes.

Frequently asked questions

How many Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are there?

There are 21 books in the main series, from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Fight or Flight, plus the Do-It-Yourself Book and the Rowley Jefferson spin-offs.

What is the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book?

At the time of writing, the newest main-series book is book 21, Fight or Flight, which is included in our books 19–21 set.

Is the Do-It-Yourself Book a story?

No. It's an interactive journal with prompts and space for children to write and draw their own diary.

Is Diary of a Wimpy Kid suitable for a seven-year-old?

Yes, for most children. The language is simple and the cartoons support understanding, so it's a popular first chapter-book series.

Which Wimpy Kid box set has the most books?

Of the sets compared above, the 18-book collection has the most Wimpy Kid titles. The 20-book set also includes eight Big Nate books.

Start the laughter

Give your reader a full shelf of Greg Heffley and watch the pages fly. Browse more series for this age in books for ages 9–12, or see every children's book box set.