Abrams’s Amulet Books imprint has unveiled the title and cover of book 14 in author-illustrator Jeff Kinney’s global hit series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid; Wrecking Ball will be published simultaneously around the world on November 5.
In the new book, a surprise windfall allows the Heffleys to renovate their home. But as construction complications ensue, the family finds itself at risk of having to move.
The reveal is part of a social media influencer campaign—including Scary Mommy and other partners—which is expected to generate millions of views and impressions. The campaign kicks off a summer initiative beginning at BookExpo and BookCon that will feature Wimpy Kid-branded street teams giving out Greg Heffley tote bags and decals; advertising in the Hudson Yards subway station in New York City; and a Diary of a Wimpy Kid Read-a-Rama program for indie bookstores to encourage summer reading. The campaign leads into fall marketing and publicity promotions and a global author tour tied to the publication of Wrecking Ball.
More than 200 million copies of the Wimpy Kid books have been sold worldwide, in 74 editions and 62 languages. A spinoff book, Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid, was published in April, and has gone on to become an instant bestseller in the U.S., selling just under 300,000 copies via NPD BookScan as of the week that ended May 4, in the outlets that BookScan tracks (about 80% of the print book market).
