Diper Överlöde

A parent might reach for this book when their child needs a purely fun, humorous read that reflects the chaos of sibling relationships and the sometimes-disastrous path to achieving a dream. In Diper Överlöde, Greg Heffley gets a front-row seat to the rock-and-roll lifestyle, or at least his brother Rodrick's version of it, when he joins the band Löded Diper on tour. The trip is a cascade of comical failures, from van trouble to terrible gigs, all captured in Greg's signature diary format. This book is perfect for middle graders, especially reluctant readers, as it uses humor to explore themes of family loyalty, perseverance, and the funny gap between expectations and reality. It's a low-stakes, high-entertainment choice that validates the awkwardness of growing up without ever feeling preachy.