National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove's novel My Best Year is taking a significant step toward the big screen, as the project has secured a completed screenplay by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Barney Cohen and is now entering discussions for casting and financing. The announcement was made on August 25, 2026, by the production team behind the adaptation.
The project, which has been brokered by Allan Graffman and Rosebud Productions, involves Cohen and The Ivan Group in developing the property for film. Ekkle, a faith-oriented film production company, has approved the screenplay and has been actively involved in conversations regarding financing, casting, and production logistics.
My Best Year tells the heartwarming and humorous story of Paul and Julie Clampet, parents who are determined to give their autistic son, Toby, the senior year they believe every teenager deserves. After Toby is expelled from his high school, they discover a struggling school in Indiana and rally its teachers and students to help create an unforgettable year for Toby—complete with a winning touchdown, a spot in the homecoming parade, and a date to the homecoming dance. The novel explores themes of family, acceptance, adolescence, and the extraordinary lengths parents will go to ensure their child feels included and valued.
Hazelgrove expressed his excitement about the adaptation, saying, "The story has always been about parents refusing to accept that their son should have to stand on the sidelines of life. Seeing that story move toward the screen is tremendously exciting."
The production team is currently exploring a range of budgets, which will depend largely on the talent eventually attached to the project. Casting discussions are expected to play a pivotal role in determining the scope and scale of the production, as the filmmakers aim to bring this poignant narrative to life in a way that resonates with audiences.
Hazelgrove is the author of numerous novels and narrative nonfiction books, earning starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. His work has been featured in prominent national media outlets, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, NPR, and C-SPAN. Several of his previous books have been optioned or developed for film and television, demonstrating his ongoing appeal to the entertainment industry.
Beyond his writing, Hazelgrove served as the Ernest Hemingway Writer-in-Residence, spending ten years writing in the attic of Hemingway's birthplace in Oak Park, Illinois. His literary portfolio includes titles such as The Pitcher, Dead Air, Henry Knox's Noble Train, Capone's Vault, and the forthcoming The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism.
The advancement of My Best Year toward production marks a notable development in the publishing and film industries, as it highlights a growing trend of adapting heartfelt, character-driven novels into cinematic experiences. With a script in hand and key partners on board, the project is poised to move into the next phase of development, bringing a story of love and determination to a wider audience.
