Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Last year, my wife and I regularly taught a group of 8- and 9-year-old children. Many of these kids had read the book “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” seen the movie, or wanted the book for their birthday.

To better connect with our kids, my wife suggested that we go and see the movie. I, however, was reluctant, and she had to do some serious persuading before I agreed to see it.

Fifteen minutes into the movie I was hooked. My wife, on the other hand, wanted to leave the theater.

Each scene is loaded with awkwardness, and the inevitable actions are telegraphed so far in advance that you could be cringing under a black cloud of anticipation for the excruciating 5 minutes, 15 minutes, or 90 minutes of buildup before the actual horrifying moment. Pure bliss.

At the end of the credits for the movie was a small teaser for what appeared to be a sequel, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.” Given my wife’s reaction and the theater attendance, I didn’t think that “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” had done well enough to green-light the sequel.

Much to my wonderment and joy, I was wrong.

Even though none of our current students have expressed any interest in this sequel, and my wife is a bit leery, I am excited to see it. Hopefully I can find some other kindred spirits to connect with… I’m beginning to realize that not everyone shares my proclivities, my inescapable affinity for anticipating and experiencing gut-wrenching, heart-pounding, nail-biting mortification.

Their loss.