The consistent funny black-and-white illustrations help bring Greg’s struggles to life. Many of the characters even show off some of their changes, like Rowley’s first zit. Kinney makes it easy for readers to see that everyone goes through puberty, and it is not something to be ashamed of. The Ugly Truth addresses the issue of puberty and the challenges puberty brings in a fun manner. Jeff Kinney has a natural talent for using humor to entertain while teaching important life lessons. The humor is awfully crude and disrespectful at times, and throughout the story Greg is obsessed with trying to get a girlfriend.ĭespite the book’s bathroom humor, The Ugly Truth has some positive aspects.

After Greg hid rotten eggs in one of his uncle’s pants, his uncle has to move out of the house. When she sits down on it, he can’t stop laughing. At one point in the story, Greg puts a whoopie cushion on his Grandma’s chair.

The story contains a lot of bathroom and childish humor. The Ugly Truth’s plot revolves around everything that happens in Greg’s life and is written from his 12-year-old perspective. Will Greg survive until winter break or will he have to face the “ugly truth”? He finds himself dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increasing responsibilities, and the meaning of getting older all without his best friend. Everything around Greg changes when puberty starts to strike the middle school population and Greg’s Mom returns to her schooling. After Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days where Greg and Rowley end their friendship, Greg is all alone to face the trials and tribulations of middle school. School’s back in session for Greg Heffley, but this time without his best friend Rowley.

The ugly truth diary