Synopsis

Wrecking Ball is the 14th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The series follows an unlucky middle school student named Greg Heffley, his family, and his friends. The books are illustrated with simple, black-and-white drawings from Greg's perspective. Wrecking Ball focuses on Greg; his mother, Susan; his father, Frank; and his best friend, Rowley; as the Heffley family renovates their house and prepares to move to a new neighborhood.

In March, Greg goes through his closet for spring cleaning day and reminisces about various objects from his childhood. He then has a yard sale and hires Rowley to make sure nothing is stolen. When it starts raining, Greg's objects on sale are ruined, and he does not sell anything.

When Greg's great aunt Reba dies, Greg is very excited about receiving inheritance money. After a family meeting, Susan chooses to spend the money on expanding their house's kitchen. To prepare for the construction, Frank tries to teach Greg how to do chores around the house. Greg fears that a monster is in the plumbing while trying to unclog the drain. When Greg is instructed to paint around his family's hot tub, he discovers a wasp's nest. While cleaning the gutters, the ladder falls and Greg is stuck on the roof until he climbs in through the bathroom window. Susan hires professional workers, and Frank sends Greg outside to help them. A fight is started when Greg ruins one of the workers' lunch deliveries.

• Publisher: PENGUIN (28 August 2020)
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9780241426692
• Reading age: 8 - 12 years
• Dimensions: 5.08 x 0.59 x 7.8 inches