Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is the ninth book in the series. It mainly focuses on the Heffley family going on a road trip. The book was released in the US on November 4th 2014, while released a day later in the UK and Ireland.
Main Characters
- Greg Heffley (main character)
- Susan Heffley
- Manny Heffley
- Rodrick Heffley
- Frank Heffley
- Beardo Family (main antagonists)
Synopsis
A Family road trip is supposed to be a lot of fun... Unless of course, your the Heffleys. The Journey starts off full of promise. then quickly takes several wrong turns. Gas Station bathrooms, crazed seagulls and a runaway pig--Not Greg Heffley's idea of a good time. But even the worst road trip can turn into an adventure-- and this is one the Heffleys Will never forget.
Plot
June
It starts as as Gregory Heffley says that when you're in the years of being a kid, you have no control of your life. After school was let out, there had been nothing to do, or nowhere to be. But then out of the blue, Susan Heffley says:
"Pack Your Bags. We are Going On A Road trip!"
Greg Comments that that wasn't the first time that she had sprung out and told them that they were going on a trip. He then says that last year, on the first day of summer, Susan said that they were going upstate for a few days to visit Aunt Loretta. Greg says that would not be he's Idea for the start of summer. One time, when they went to Aunt Loretta, her roommate grabbed Greg and wouldn't let go until she had gotten a chocolate chip muffin. But Susan was really bluffing about going to the nursing home. At Breakfast, the next morning, she told them they were really going. Susan said to the others:
"We're going to Disneyland!"
Greg and Rodrick are glad not to spend the first week playing shuffle board at a nursing home. But Manny heard about the change of plans and and starts to cry. Susan Had talked about the trip to Aunt Loretta so much, that Manny was actually excited about going. They ended up postponing Disneyland, so they could visit aunt Loretta. Greg comments in his diary (journal), that Susan would have learned her lesson about surprise trips after that one. Greg knows where the road trip idea came from. It came from a new issue of "Family Frolic" magazine came in the mail again. Greg says 90% of everything that they do as a family, comes from ideas Susan gets from the magazine. Greg's flipped through "Family Frolic" a few times and some of the pictures looked fun. One of the pages said:
"Your Perfect Family Barbecue! Summer's here and it's time to break our the grill and fill the cooler with drinks. What better way to celebrate the sunshine than with a good old-fashioned barbecue? Follow our tips for a day you and your family will never forget!"
Trivia
- This is the second book in the series to not have the word "Jeff Kinney" in the middle, the first being the UK version of Cabin Fever.
- The colour of the book is similar to the Do-It-Yourself Book, but far lighter.
- This is the first book where Rowley Jefferson makes a minor appearance in one page. This is also the first book where Westmore Middle School has no appearances.
- This is the first book where we see branded stuff mentioned on some pages.
Reference to Dates
U.S. - November 4th, 2014
U.K. - November 5th, 2014