Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck is a children's novel written by Jeff Kinney and the eighth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It was released on November 5, 2013.

Plot
Greg's best friend Rowley ditches him, and Greg struggles to make new friends. On Easter, he finds a Magic 8-Ball and attempts to change his luck by using it to make decisions for him.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) Greg is sympathetic in this book, since his best friend ditches him for a girl, and is scared that he will have to go to summer school since Fregley threw his study book at the Mingo Kids and loses it.
 * 2) Through-out the book, there are hidden easter eggs, figuratively and literally. These eggs are fun trying to find and give the book some re-read value.
 * 3) Some funny jokes and moments, such as Greg and Rowley unknowingly signing up for a children's "superhero" camp, Greg getting trapped in his Body Blankie, and Greg dropping his phone into the toilet.
 * 4) This is one of the times Susan's good parenting is shown, as it's revealed she's been keeping all these books dedicated to raising your child, such as a book about helping your child get over their pet's death.
 * 5) The Magic 8-Ball is a funny running gag, and it leads to some good moments such as Greg going into Susan's closet.
 * 6) Dennis Denards and Erick Glick are good and memorable one-time antagonists, even if they are only major for a couple of pages.
 * 7) Good ending where Greg and Rowley become friends again.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) Greg can be a bit unlikable at times, since he used Rowley for attention and takes his advice from a Magic 8-Ball, as well as snooping in his mom's closet because the 8-ball "told him not to go out".
 * 2) Malvin and Malcolm are unlikable, but it's excusable since they're little kids that likely don't know better.
 * 3) The book is basically another The Ugly Truth, since Rowley dumps Greg.