Greg Heffley's eighth adventure (but who's counting?) centers on his relationship with his best friend, Rowley re specifically, the demise of that relationship when Rowley gets a girlfriend. At first, Greg tries to insert himself into the mix, but he soon tires of Abigail's pathological control (she changes Rowley's hairstyle) and fussy propriety (she won't let him eat off of the cafeteria floor). And so Greg must navigate the minefield of middle school, with its hero points, dollar-store sneakers, and the looming shadow of summer school, all by himself. Without a sidekick, Greg spends more time at home, suffering the attentions of his "colorful" extended family, like Aunt Audra, who drags him along to a psychic visit. Greg begins consulting Rodrick's forgotten Magic 8 Ball and thinks maybe that will turn his luck around. As ever, Kinney strikes his comic target in the bull's-eye, exaggerating the trials of adolescence just enough to make them real while deftly exposing the insecurities behind Greg's bravado with his super, simple drawings. Will Greg and Rowley make up? Either way, devotees need not worry; there is plenty more angst in store. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Kinney's books are best-sellers on every list out there, and his rabid fans will be chomping at the bit to get another taste of the Wimpy Kid.

In this eighth series installment, Greg's best friend Rowley has deserted him for a girl, and Greg has to survive the daily pitfalls of middle school--not to mention a spring-vacation family gathering--without him. The plot here is a little thin, but the middle-school sensibilities and humor remain as authentic as ever. Another treat for reluctant readers.

Is Greg Heffley-s self-absorption catching up with him? Maybe so, since he spends much of the eighth book in Kinney-s bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series bemoaning his lack of friends. Rowley, his former right-hand man/doormat, is occupied with his new girlfriend, and Greg is so desperate for companionship that he even tries befriending class weirdo Fregley. -I could mold him into exactly the kind of friend I wanted,- says Greg, who-s basically looking for someone to lug his schoolbooks around and -scout ahead for dog poop- on the sidewalk. Clashes with Greg-s extended family also figure in, as does Greg-s discovery of a Magic 8-Ball. Kinney once again gets in plenty of funny jabs at pop culture and everyday kid life, from poster board science fair projects (-Does It Float?-) to Greg-s rediscovery of his flannel -Body Blankie,- which, while supremely comfortable, proves to be a liability during gym class. With Kinney sticking to the same school- and family-based brand of situational humor that made the previous books so popular, his legions of fans will likely devour this eighth offering as well. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sylvie Rabineau, RWSG Literary Agency. (Nov.)