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Cover of Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal

By Jeff Kinney

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal has 20 chapters · Grades 3–5 · 224 pages

Part of the Awesome Friendly Kid series

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Inside the journal: 20 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name

Written for this book Questions about this story, good after any chapter.

Chapter 1 question
What is Rowley Jefferson trying to do in his journal so far, and how is it different from the way Greg Heffley might tell the same story?
See all 20 questions ↓

About the book

"In his first journal, middle schooler Rowley Jefferson, Greg Heffley's sidekick, records his experiences and misguided decision to write a biography of Greg, who, in his own mind, is destined to become rich and famous." --.

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Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal questions by chapter

We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. One question per chapter, across all 20 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.

  1. Chapter 1

    What is Rowley Jefferson trying to do in his journal so far, and how is it different from the way Greg Heffley might tell the same story?

  2. Chapter 2

    How would you describe Rowley as a friend in this part of the book? Use one detail from what you read so far.

  3. Chapter 3

    What does Greg want other people to think about him, and how can you tell?

  4. Chapter 4

    Which moment in this chapter or section seemed funniest to you, and what made it funny?

    Example answer: The funniest moment to me was when Rowley described something in a very serious way even though it sounded silly. I liked it because Rowley does not always realize how funny he is being. The humor comes from the difference between what Rowley thinks is happening and what the reader notices. That made me want to keep reading.

  5. Chapter 5

    So far, what is one problem caused by Rowley trying to write about Greg?

  6. Chapter 6

    What do Rowley's words and drawings show about his personality? Explain your thinking.

  7. Chapter 7

    Choose an interesting or funny word or phrase from this part. What do you think it means, and why did the author choose it?

  8. Chapter 8

    What do you predict Greg will do if Rowley's journal makes him look different from how he sees himself?

  9. Chapter 9

    How does the diary or journal format change the way you understand Rowley and Greg's friendship?

  10. Chapter 10

    In this part, who seems more honest: Rowley or Greg? Explain your answer with evidence from the reading.

  11. Chapter 11

    What lesson about friendship might the author be showing so far?

  12. Chapter 12

    How does Rowley's point of view make Greg seem different than Greg probably sees himself?

    Example answer: Rowley's point of view makes Greg seem less perfect than Greg probably thinks he is. Since Rowley is telling the story, I notice how Greg's actions affect his best friend. Rowley often sounds kind and trusting, so when Greg acts bossy, it stands out more. I think this makes the story funny but also shows that friendship can be complicated.

  13. Chapter 13

    What is one choice Rowley makes in this section, and what does that choice show about him?

  14. Chapter 14

    If you could give Rowley advice about writing a biography of Greg, what would you tell him and why?

    Example answer: I would tell Rowley to write the truth, but also think about Greg's feelings. A biography should not just make someone look famous or perfect. It should show what the person is really like. I would also tell Rowley to include his own thoughts because his voice is what makes the journal fun to read.

  15. Chapter 15

    What is one place where the story feels realistic, even though it is written in a silly or exaggerated way?

  16. Chapter 16

    How does Jeff Kinney use humor to show a serious idea about best friends?

  17. Chapter 17

    What question would you ask Rowley if you could talk to him after this chapter or section?

  18. Chapter 18

    What is something Greg says or does that affects Rowley? How does Rowley react?

  19. Chapter 19

    Which character do you understand better after this part, Rowley or Greg? Explain why.

  20. Chapter 20

    What do you think the title Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid means based on what you have read so far?

Would you use a digital version of this journal? Would you like AI to review the answers?

Discussion questions for after Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal

Bigger questions for when the book is finished, each printed on its own ruled page at the end of the booklet.

  1. By the end of the book, how has your understanding of Rowley Jefferson and Greg Heffley's friendship changed? Explain what the book shows about being a best friend, including both the funny parts and the harder parts.
  2. What do you think this book is really about underneath the jokes and drawings? Write about one big idea, such as honesty, fame, storytelling, or friendship, and explain how Rowley's journal helped you understand that idea.

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How to use this Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal reading journal

At home, as a discussion guide

After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.

In class, as a novel study

Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.

Homeschool

One booklet covers the whole book, 20 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.

Printing

The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.

Where the questions come from

Questions about this story, good after any chapter. We know the book, its characters, setting and story, but not what happens in each chapter. So every question is written for this book, and any of them works wherever your reader has just stopped. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.

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