If you loved
Hard Luck
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2013
What hooked you in Hard Luck is the relatable struggle of navigating the awkward, unpredictable social dynamics of middle school.
Films on the same thread
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Film · 2011
Explores: Sibling rivalry, Middle school struggles, Family dynamics.
Just like the protagonist in Hard Luck, Greg finds himself in constant conflict with his brother, making this a perfect follow-up for fans of his middle school growing pains.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Thor Freudenthal · Film · 2010
Shares a thread with Hard Luck: Coming-of-age comedy.
If you enjoyed the humiliating social hierarchy in Hard Luck, you will appreciate this film as it captures the same anxiety and desperation of surviving the middle school experience.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Film · 2012
Shares a thread with Hard Luck: Peer pressure.
Much like the social pressures faced in Hard Luck, this story highlights the tension between a protagonist wanting independence and the reality of dealing with awkward family expectations.
Series on the same thread
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Scott Fellows · Series · 2004
Explores: School life, Friendship, Self-improvement.
Fans of the diary format in Hard Luck will love how this series breaks the fourth wall to offer a similar, humorous guide to surviving the trials of middle school.
Weak Hero
You Su-min · Series · 2022
Explores: Underdog, Friendship, Violence.
If Hard Luck hit, Weak Hero shares the thread.
Awkward.
Lauren Iungerich · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Hard Luck: Social Awkwardness.
This series mirrors the themes of social awkwardness and teen angst found in Hard Luck, focusing on how one small misunderstanding can define your entire life at school.
Bluey
Joe Brumm · Series · 2018
Explores: Family Relationships, Imaginative Play, Childhood Development.
If Hard Luck hit, Bluey shares the thread.
Podcasts on the same thread
We Can Do Hard Things
Treat Media and Glennon Doyle · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Vulnerability, Personal growth, Emotional support.
If Hard Luck hit, We Can Do Hard Things shares the thread.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2025
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
If Hard Luck hit, Dan Carlin's Hardcore History shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Hard Luck part of a series?
Yes, Hard Luck is book 8 in the globally-bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It continues the story of Greg Heffley as he navigates a losing streak after his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, ditches him.
Did Hard Luck win any awards?
Yes, Hard Luck was recognized for its popularity among readers. The book was the winner of the Nickelodeon 2014 Kids Choice Awards for the Favourite Book category.
When was Hard Luck released?
Hard Luck was released in November 2013. It was highly anticipated as the eighth installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and became a significant release for children that year.
What happens to Greg Heffley in Hard Luck?
In Hard Luck, Greg Heffley experiences a difficult losing streak. His best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has left him, which forces Greg to deal with the challenge of finding new friends.