Hot Mess

A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling overwhelmed by, or dreading, a big family vacation or chaotic reunion. Hot Mess validates those feelings of frustration in a hilarious, low-stakes way. The story follows Greg Heffley on a summer trip to an island for his grandmother's 75th birthday. What starts as a simple trip quickly devolves into chaos when extended family members, including a pirate uncle and a social-media-famous dog, descend on their crowded beach house. Through Greg's signature diary entries and cartoons, the book explores themes of family dynamics, social anxiety, and the absurdity of summer traditions. It's pure entertainment that normalizes the messy, imperfect, and often annoying side of family love, making it a perfect, lighthearted read for ages 8 to 12.