The Publishers of Harry Potter Present . . .

A new ten – part series with each book written by a different author. Titled ‘The 39 Clues’ as homage to Alfred Hitchcook’s ‘The 39 Steps’ thought by its creators ideal for a story spanning multi-platform. The series will feature youngsters Amy and Dan Cahill on their worldwide search for the secret to their family’s power. Slated to be a multimedia story, mystery endings, puzzles, spin off computer games and a movie! Steven Spielberg has bought the film rights already!

Rick Riordan, author of ‘The Lightning Thief’ will write the first book; ‘The Maze of Bones’. The publishers announced a first print of 500,000. Scholastic executive editorial David Levithan describes it ‘groundbreaking’ and adds that they wanted to be the first to introduce this kind of multiplatform story. His team at Scholastic including a dozen editors came up with the concept three years ago taking on the lines of a treasure hunt. The essential outline including the ending was formed by the publishers then given to the authors to take and make a story of.

“Designed for boys and girls aged 8 to 12, each book will have a different writer, including such best-sellers as Gordon Korman and Jude Watson. Backed by a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign, The 39 Clues also features game cards, a contest with a $10,000 first prize and a sophisticated website that includes games, blogs, videos and thousands of pages of background.” fill in the details, taking a thread, as Levithan describes it, and turning it into a blanket. Readers might check out the website, just as kids who love online games might then turn to the books.”

A recent study showed that many libraries use alternate methods, such as games and activities to attract young people to the libraries and reading.

Jenny Levine a digital specialist for the library association loves the aspect of ‘The 39 Clues’ and says “I could also see a lot of libraries forming 39 Clues clubs the way they’ve had Pokemon clubs.”

After Harry Potter, its publishers and vast reader base have been looking for something to plug the gap, the people for the void in the magical world and the publishers to line their pockets. But more importantly, something to keep the people reading. With now many mediums of communication available why not span a story across all of them? A great concept really, can’t wait for series to hit the shelf’s!