December 20, 2007

Scholastic Plans "The 39 Clues" to Succeed Harry Potter

Scholastic, publisher of those wildly successful books by J. K. Rowling is moving forward with what it hopes will be its follow-up blockbuster series after completing the Harry Potter series. Called “The 39 Clues", this series will feature 10 books - the first of which is to go on sale next September - as well as related Web-based games, collectors’ cards and cash prizes.

The series consisting of mystery novels telling the story of a centuries-old family, the Cahills, who are supposed to be the world’s most powerful clan will be aimed at readers 8 to 12. According to the books, famous historical figures ranging from Benjamin Franklin to Mozart were members of the family. The plots will revolve around the race by two young Cahills, Amy, 14, and Dan, 11, against other branches of the family to be the first to find the 39 clues that will lead to ultimate power.

The organisation is hoping to attach the books to an Internet game that could help recruit new readers amongst youngsters, since some kids generally prefer games to books. Thus, they could have fun while learning. The project demonstrates Scholastic’s acknowledgment that as much as the publisher heralded the renewed interest in reading represented by the Harry Potter books, many children are now as transfixed by Internet and video games as they are by reading.

It was also reported that writer Peter Lerangis who created the Spy-X and the Watcher series and wrote all the books in them, is to write the third book in this new series.

[Via] The NY Times

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It actually does sound like it would be interesting for kids. We'll have to see how it turns out. Thanks for giving us the scoop!

Loy said...

@writingthoughts - Thanks for stopping by:-)Yeah, we'll just have to see...