The latest installment in Jeff Kinney’s mega-popular Wimpy Kid series of children’s books will be released later this year.
Abrams will publish Hot Mess, the author and illustrator’s 19th installment in the series, in the fall. The press calls the book “a side-splittingly relatable summer story” and “the most hilarious Wimpy Kid book yet.”
Kinney’s series began in 2007 with Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The hero of the books is Greg Heffley, a middle-school student who longs to be popular and chronicles his (mostly poor) decisions in a journal. The books in the series are routinely bestsellers and have been adapted into a series of films and a stage musical.
Kinney announced the new installment on the Kelly Clarkson Show, accompanied by Jacob Nelson, a 9-year-old superfan of the series and an aspiring writer himself. Kinney had previously invited Jacob to visit his studio, where the two discussed Jacob’s own book, Jhon vs. the Glip or Glorps.
Jacob also helped Kinney design the cover for Hot Mess. “Jacob and I came up with this idea where Greg is sitting in a giant pile of spaghetti,” Kinney told Clarkson. “What was your favorite part about that, Jacob, drawing that together?”
“All of it,” Jacob replied.
Hot Mess is slated for publication on Oct. 22.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
