It may have started as a tale about a perpetual underdog, but Diary of a Wimpy Kid and its author have gone international, and now has a French title to prove it. Jeff Kinney, the creator of the popular young adult series, was made an officer of France's Order of Arts and Letters.

Originally intended to offer nostalgia for adults, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid stories resonated with audiences worldwide, selling more than 200 million copies and resulting in four movies. French readers love the series as well, and they conferred one of the highest literary honors on the author - which, according to the French news site, RFI, was also given to T.S. Eliot, Seamus Heaney, Bono and David Bowie.

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The books, which follow middle-schooler and titular wimpy kid, Greg Heffley, are an American phenomenon and have become a reading staple for young book lovers. The books tell stories about the calamities of middle school, but feature rudimentary stick-figure illustrations, making them appeal to audiences of all ages.

Kinney was justifiably honored by the award, expressing his gratitude to the French organization. "The biggest surprise to me is being published at all, because the format was so unusual I didn't think it would be published," he said. "I fully expected Diary of a Wimpy Kid would be rejected. So I think it's crazy it's in 64 languages now and I'm thrilled that it's translated into French."

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Perhaps one of the most influential authors for readers of a certain age, Kinney is a proponent of literacy among children and young adults. He even opened a bookstore in his hometown of Plainville, Massachusetts.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid currently has 14 books, with the latest releasing in November of this year.