An interesting new concept is coming down the pipe and it’s got all sorts of crazy layers.
In September, Scholastic will debut The 39 Clues, which — bear with me now, there’s a lot going on here — will include 10 books, multiple authors, online games, 355 collectible cards, and maybe even a Steven Spielberg! No, you don’t get your own, stop asking.
Basically, the concept is to have incredibly popular novels that everyone will love, like the wonderful world of Harry Potter, BUT there will also be interacting elements, like the games and the cards, that I assume will add to the story as well as the overall experience. Crazy!
Now, in regards to Steven Spielberg (no, I wasn’t kidding about that), he’s apparently very much interesting in directing the movie adaptation of this, which yes, Dreamworks has already acquired.
In a statement made via Dreamworks and Scholastic, Spielberg said:
The 39 Clues takes creative leaps to expand the story experience from the pages of the books to multiple stages of discovery and imagination. Together with Scholastic, we have the opportunity to develop this property that says ‘film,’ ‘family,’ ‘fun’ and ‘franchise.’
Not a whole lot is known about the story aside from that it deals with a family in upstate New York that is mysterious and powerful and the first book was written by Rick Riordan (The Lightning Thief) and will be titled The Maze of Bones.
Naturally this will all likely be marketed toward the pre-teen/teen demographic, but you’re just as excited as I am and you know it, shut up.
[Source: USA Today]
I’ve read them and they are excellent books. I don’t just think that they are the next Harry Potter. Did Harry Potter have an interactive online website where the child could actually PARTICIPATE and win prizes? Did Harry Potter have trading cards that were as popular? NO! I don’t just think that they are the Next Harry Potter. They will SURPASS the Harry Potter series! If not then shame on America and the other countries. This series ROCKS! It is way better than Harry Potter!