Children's Book News with PW

Wimpy Kid Series to Hit 150M in Print
With the November 4 publication of the next Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, 'The Long Haul,' Jeff Kinney's series will surpass 150 million copies in print worldwide. Amulet Books announced that 'The Long Haul,' ninth in the series, will carry a 5.5 million–copy first printing. more








Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Author Zilpha Keatley Snyder, who received three Newbery Honors for her middle-grade novels, including 'The Egypt Game,' has died. She was 87. Snyder’s agent, George Nicholson, remembers his friend and client: "I saw Zil in two ways, both as a dedicated author writing as a Westerner and Californian particularly, and as a woman whose personal strength of character gleamed in her novels allowing a kind of tough resonance to shine." more

Writing Native Lives in YA:
A Panel Discussion
Two young adult authors and their editors gathered for a casual yet insightful discussion about representations of Native American characters and authors in YA literature at the New York Public Library on October 4. Authors Eric Gansworth and Joseph Bruchac were joined by Cheryl Klein of Scholastic's Arthur A. Levine Books, and Stacy Whitman of Lee and Low's Tu Books. Betsy Bird, youth materials specialist at the NYPL, moderated. The question of whether Native characters are underrepresented in young adult books was not the subject at hand – as, for the panelists, the answer was a clear and resounding yes. Instead, the speakers addressed questions of authenticity when writing about Native culture. more

IN THE MEDIA

From the New York Times: A growing number of nonfiction writers are adapting their books for younger readers. Click here From the Hollywood Reporter: John Krokidas will direct Lionsgate's movie adaptation of R.J. Palacio's Wonder. Click here From the Guardian: Jacqueline Wilson: "I didn’t ever think I'd manage to write 100 books." Click here From USA Today: Dutton will reissue Stephanie Perkins's earlier novels to match her new one. Click here From the New York Times: A 10-year-old's journey from lemonade stand to children's book to Silicon Valley. Click here From Bookish: Jane Lynch on Shattering the Bully's Illusion of Power. Click here

From the Hollywood Reporter: Gossip Girl writer will pen a film adaptation of Jandy Nelson's YA novel I'll Give You the Sun for Warner Bros. Click here From Page to Premiere: Stephenie Meyer speaks out on her website about the Twilight Saga short films. Click here From the Los Angeles Times: Scott Westerfeld on writing his novel-within-a-YA-novel Afterworlds. Click here From the Herald-Leader: Ky. spokeswoman Gwenda Bond moonlights as a YA author. Click here From Publishing Perspectives: Beyond the Moomin Valley: Celebrating the Many Sides of Finnish Author Tove Jansson. Click here From Book Riot: Picture Book Adaptations (Sort Of) That Need to Happen. Click here