'The 39 Clues' enlists David Baldacci for second series

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A second round of books continuing the storyline of the children's series The 39 Clues is set to launch in April, announced publisher Scholastic's On Our Minds blog on September 22. The new series, The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, will wrap up in March 2013 with an installment by internationally best-selling thriller writer David Baldacci.

Intended for readers 8-12, The 39 Clues tells the story of siblings Amy and Dan Cahill, who take on a challenge outlined in their grandmother's will to search for 39 clues scattered around the world. The series began in 2008 with The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan ( Percy Jackson, The Kane Chronicles), who also created the series' story arc. Subsequent books have been written by Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park, and Margaret Peterson Haddix, whose final installment was released in August. Each book highlights major historical figures such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Benjamin Franklin, Anastasia Romanov, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

The 39 Clues include ten books, of which more than 8.5 million copies are reportedly in print. The series has been licensed for publication in 22 languages, and the website - which includes interactive features and online games - has more than 1.2 million registered users. Movie rights for the first series have been acquired by DreamWorks, with Steven Spielberg the possible director.

The new series will launch on April 5 with Vespers Rising by Riordan, Lerangis, Korman, and Watson, and will end in March 2013 with a seventh installment by Baldacci. Park and newcomer Roland Smith will also contribute new installments. The series will have its own collectible cards, an online game, and enhanced interactive features on its website.

http://www.the39clues.com