The Deep End

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End is a middle-grade graphic novel written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. Published in 2020, The Deep End is the 15th in the 19-part Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In the realist graphic style, the series is presented as the journal of protagonist Greg Heffley, a middle-schooler who narrates and illustrates his everyday life. The series has been adapted into a television series and a movie trilogy. Jeff Kinney is an international bestselling author and continues to write the Wimpy Kid series. The series is the fourth best-selling series of all time globally, as of 2020.

The Deep End features Greg and his family Managing Expectations on their summer vacation, learning the importance of Appreciating Family along the way, and Handling Fear and Anxiety associated with growing up. The book deals closely with the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, which occurred as the book was being written, although the pandemic is not referenced directly.

This guide uses the 2020 Amulet Books edition. Citations are to page numbers in this edition.  

Plot Summary

Middle-schooler Greg Heffley narrates and illustrates the story of his family’s summer vacation.