Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal
The same school year told by Greg's kind, oblivious best friend, Rowley Jefferson. Because the reader sees Greg being difficult while Rowley does not, children get to be ahead of the narrator. It provides an entry point with a decent person at the center.
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney is estimated to take about 149.5 minutes to read aloud (16,284 words, about 5 sentences a page), and it lands best with children aged 6-8.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 149.5 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 16,284Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 5Sentences per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 3/5holds up
- Vocabulary level
- 3/5a few new words
- Best for
- Ages 6-8Our editorial fit
Our review
Seeing the story through Rowley's eyes changes the dynamic entirely. It's a different reading experience than the main series because the narrator's perspective is much more positive and naive.
This version is a great choice for parents who might be uneasy about Greg's behavior. It's perfect for a child looking for a gentler, friendlier tone while staying in the same world.
Before you buy it
Only half funny if you already know Greg, so it is not a starting point despite being marketed as one. Same ATOS 5.0 reading level as the main series—the friendlier tone does not make the text easier.
Themes
- school
- diary
- friendship
- kindness
- middle school
Books like Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Diary of a Wimpy Kidabout 181 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Big Nate: In a Class by Himselfabout 127 minutes estimated · 4/5 re-read
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Madeabout 205 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Dory Fantasmagoryabout 67.5 minutes estimated · 5/5 re-read
Miss Daisy Is Crazy!about 59.5 minutes estimated · 3/5 re-read
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal aloud?
About 149.5 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 16,284. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal actually for?
Ages 6-8 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 5 sentences a page and vocabulary at 3 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal survive being read on repeat?
Yes, reasonably. It stays bearable through the repeat-request phase without becoming a favourite forever.
Can a beginning reader read Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal on their own?
Not yet. At vocabulary level 3 out of 5 and 5 sentences a page, it is a read-aloud book rather than a first solo read. Read it to them now, and hand it over in a year or two.
Is Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal part of a series?
Yes, it belongs to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It stands on its own, so you can start here without reading the others in order, then move to the rest if it lands.
What themes does Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal cover?
We tag it with school, diary, friendship, kindness and middle school. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
