For many literary works, especially novels, character development is quintessential. Literary characters drive the action and conflict; they create a reason for a story to exist. Mapping characters can be as simple as asking students to fill in charts that track important aspects of characters, or as complex as noting traits that categorize them as an archetype.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, a realistic fiction novel, humorously describes the troubles of being in middle school and trying to fit in with integrated text and drawings. This is the first book in the immensely popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Greg Heffley relays his thoughts and experiences through his “diary”, which he explains from the very beginning is supposed to be a journal - carrying around a diary is just asking to get beat up. Greg introduces his parents, his younger brother Manny, who is treated like a prince, and his mean older brother, Rodrick. Greg also describes his friendship with his nerdy and socially clueless friend Rowley.