The Wimpy Kidis coming back.
The latest installment of Jeff Kinney’s bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid children’s book series will be published this fall, publisher Amulet Books announced in a news release Thursday. An animated film adaptation of the series will also debut on streaming service Disney+ later this year.
The 16th book in the series is titled Big Shot, and will follow Greg Heffley, the titular wimpy kid antihero, as he embarks on an unlikely basketball career at his middle school.
“Tryouts are a mess, and Greg is sure he won’t make the cut,” Amulet writes. “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?”
Kinney will make appearances to promote the book in a drive-through book tour, which he innovated during the Covid-19 pandemic. The tour saw him deliver signed books to kids using tridents and swimming pool nets.
Disney+ has been tight-lipped about the film adaptation of the series, but Amulet said it would debut on the network “this holiday season.” Big Shot is scheduled for publication on Oct. 26.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
