註釋
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel is a 2012 bestselling children's novel and the seventh book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series, written by American author Jeff Kinney.[1] Kinney announced the book in March of 2012, with The Third Wheel's cover being revealed in May of 2012.[2] The book was released on November 13, 2012 and was preceded by 2011's Cabin Fever.
PlotThe book begins with Greg talking about what his life was like before he was born. He describes being able to eat, swim, and sleep whenever he wanted in his mother`s stomach. One day however, he heard strange sounds. He later discovered that the sounds came from headphones which his mother had purchased. It also included a microphone, which his parents used to describe their day. He eventually decided that he needed to get out, therefore explaining why he was born 3 weeks early, but soon regretted it.
Later, Greg and his family go to Corny's Family-Style restaurant and get put in the kids area with loads of kids running like wild animals.
About a week later, Greg's Uncle Gary comes knocking and tells Greg's dad that he must stay with him, because his T-Shirt business was bust. Greg's dad had loaned him money, as Gary had supposedly found a "once in a lifetime" opportunity. Someone had told him that he would sell Gary his T-shirts, claiming that he would make a large sum of money. Gary later discovered that the shirts had a spelling error. Though his dad is unhappy, Greg's mom allows him to stay for as long as he wants. In addition, he gets an allowance for doing nothing, and is allowed to play online games all through the night.
At school the PTA is holding school elections. Much to Greg's disappointment, you're not allowed to run for any office if you have gotten three or more detentions. Greg does, however, figure out a way that he can still hold an office. He comes up with a scheme to have Rowley run for office and treat his friend like a puppet, dictating his every decision. Rowley wins the election by default, being the only person to run for the office of Social Chairperson.
In P.E., Greg discovers that he must learn partner dancing. Greg tells the story of how last year he was paired with Baylee who this year made sure to tell him that that would not be happening again. After an announcement is made about a Valentine`s Day dance, Greg figures he can use Rowley's 'power' to his advantage. He tries to find a date for the school's Valentine's Day dance through numerous methods, and eventually begging. He's worried that he'll be left without a date and while he knows that his friend Rowley is also dateless, that's not much comfort to him. Greg does manage to find a date named Abigail at the last minute, which leaves Rowley as a "third wheel". On the night of the dance, Greg discovers Rowley has the chicken pox, and covers it up. Greg, Rowley and Abgail go to Spriggo's, the fancy restaurant that his parents are always talking about, but smears his jacket, so he decides to take it off. When Greg goes inside, he discovers that gentlemen are required to wear sports jackets. He is able to use a spare jacket from the restaurant, but it smells unpleasant. He attempts to clean it, but only makes it smell worse. Greg decides that Spriggo's is for phonies. Rowley suggests they go to Corny's, causing Greg to regret bringing Rowley with him.
After eating at Corny's, they go to the School Prom. Greg is impressed by the decorations, and the "Midnight in Paris" theme. He discovers that Gary is the DJ, and is selling his t-shirts. As the gym is dark, the students cannot see the misspelling. Seniors later arrive, claiming that they booked the gym for a meeting. Mrs. Sheer, one of the teachers, says that she reserved the gym for the dance two weeks ago. The seniors then claim that they reserved the gym two months ago, and they have their paperwork to prove it. They come to a compromise and partition the gym in half, one side for the meeting, and the other for the dance. The whole atmosphere is ruined, as the lights must be kept on for the meeting, ruining the "midnight" vibe. Then Michael Sampson, the boy Abigail was supposed to go to the dance with, walks in with another girl. When he leaves, Abigail cries for a half hour and Greg and her friends try to cheer her up. Then the dance is overrun by senior citizens. Later on in the night Greg sees something red on Abigail's chin thinking it's chicken pox and screams.
The book ends with Uncle Gary winning forty-thousand dollars and paying off Greg's dad, Rowley and Abigail "becoming a couple," and Greg getting the chicken pox.
ReceptionCritical and reader reception for the The Third Wheel has been positive, with the San Angelo Standard-Times calling the book "masterful."Publishers Weekly commented that Kinney "isn't messing with a good thing, and he continues to mine middle school life for comedic gold."
