Double Down

Unlike many book protagonists, Greg is not a dynamic character. His character does not undergo a major change over the course of Double Down or in any of the Wimpy Kid books. Discuss the pros and cons of Greg as a static character and its effect on the narrative. Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Write your own diary entry, either relating one of your own adventures or creating a fictional adventure for Greg. Include illustrations to accompany your story.

The Spineticklers books feature heavily in Double Down. What role do they play in Kinney’s plot? How do the books contribute to the themes of Double Down?

Double Down makes indirect references to The Truman Show (1998), the Goosebumps series, and the Captain Underpants series. Read or watch one of these pieces of media, and discuss its influence on Greg’s story.

Although Greg is not always reliable in his narration, the book does not make it clear when he is telling the truth and when he is lying or exaggerating. Perform a close reading of one of the chapters in Double Down and make an argument about whether Greg is being fully honest about his experiences. Cite specific examples from the text to support your position.

Do you think that Greg is a good role model for kids? Why or why not? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

In Double Down, Greg is very invested in becoming famous, but never succeeds in achieving the fame and attention he seeks. What does Greg’s desire for fame reveal about his character?

Double Down uses both illustrations and text to tell the story. Compare and contrast this book with another graphic novel. Explore how each text makes use of the graphic novel form. In what ways do the text and images work together to tell the story?