Can anything stop the Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Well, besides all the troubles that befall Greg Heffley? The insanely popular series by Jeff Kinney just announced its 16th book: Big Shot, which will be simultaneously published in 28 countries across the world on October 26, 2021. And this time the topic is: sports.
In Big Shot, Greg Heffley and sports just don’t mix. After a disastrous field day competition at school, Greg decides that when it comes to his athletic career, he’s officially retired. But after his mom urges him to give sports one more chance, he reluctantly agrees to sign up for basketball. Tryouts are a mess, and Greg is sure he won’t make the cut. But he unexpectedly lands a spot on the worst team. As Greg and his new teammates start the season, their chances of winning even a single game look slim. But in sports, anything can happen. When everything is on the line and the ball is in Greg’s hands, will he rise to the occasion? Or will he blow his big shot? Charles Kochman, ABRAMS editorial director and Kinney’s longtime editor, will edit the new book.
As of this writing, Kinney occupies two slots on the Children’s Fiction bestseller list, with the last Wimpy Kid book at #6 and Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories — which we previewed exclusively right here! — at #2. And it’s not even Halloween. Kinney also braved the pandemic with two innovative drive-through book tours — which of course sold out.
The Wimpy Kid publishing empire includes 79 editions in 65 languages, and more than 250 million copies sold globally in just 14 years. It’s also one of the top five bestselling book series—adult and kids—of all time.
And this winter it’s coming to Disney+ as an animated special. Not too many details are known but a still reveals it will have a somewhat newish look:
So to answer the question at the top: No, nothing can stop the Wimpy Kid.
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