To celebrate the 15th installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, author Jeff Kinney participated in “The Deep End Drive-Thru Pool Party Tour” 5 p.m. Oct. 30 at Eyer Middle School.

The tour made 20 stops with one in the Lehigh Valley through Let’s Play Books! bookstore. Each ticket included entrance to the drive-thru event and one signed copy of the book.

In a time of uncertainty, when so many activities are on hold, Kinney said he is bringing families a fun and silly respite to look forward to. Traveling in a wrapped “The Deep End Drive-Thru Pool Party” van, Kinney partnered with independent bookstores to host drive-thru pool parties along the east coast. At each event, families drove through pool party–themed interactive vignettes, such as a lifeguard dunk tank, a tiki hut, a venture underwater and the final moment when Kinney personally delivered children their signed copies of The Deep End using a six-foot pool skimmer.

“2020 hasn’t been fun for kids,” Kinney said. “We’re excited to be throwing drive-thru parties that kids and their families can look forward to. We can’t wait to put on our masks, hit the road and create happy memories for all the fans we meet along the way.”

In The Deep End, Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that isn’t exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, the Heffleys wonder if they can save their vacation – or if they’re already in too deep.

Kinney is a best-selling author; Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are published in 78 editions in 65 languages and have sold more than 250 million copies globally. Published in 2007, the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book was an instant bestseller and has remained on The New York Times bestseller list since its publication and through the release of the 14th book for more than 728 weeks total. The series is also a fixture on the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly and IndieBound bestseller lists.