Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

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By John A. Sellers -- Publishers Weekly, 12/4/2008

Greg Heffley may be the “Wimpy Kid,” but his series keeps going strong. On January 13, Abrams’s Amulet imprint will release The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney, the third storybook in the series that has staked out a claim on bestseller charts since its 2007 debut. In The Last Straw, which lands with a million-copy first printing, Greg’s father attempts to toughen up his son. The book will be featured in forthcoming issues of Time for Kids and Nick magazine.

Earlier this fall, Abrams also released a Do-It-Yourself journal,which featured activities for readers as well as blank pages to fill in. The publisher promoted the book with a contest that lets readers submit their own cartoons; the contest runs through the end of January, with the winners to be announced later next year.

Though tour and event details in support of The Last Straw are still being finalized, Abrams has put together an kit for booksellers who want to host parties at their stores. Designed by Kinney, the kit contains activity and game ideas, tattoos, bookmarks and a green Wimpy Kid backpack, which can be raffled off or otherwise used as prizes.