Scholastic Acquires Four Books by Nine-Year-Old Reporter Hilde Lysiak
Hilde Cracks the Case Series to Launch in Fall 2017
As part of Branches Line of Early Chapter Books
New York, NY—June 30, 2016¾ Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, has acquired world rights to four books by nine-year-old reporter Hilde Lysiak—to be co-written with her father, reporter Matthew Lysiak. A real-life Harriet the Spy, Hilde’s sleuthing skills have garnered national and international media attention. Hilde’s book series will be part of the Scholastic illustrated early chapter book line Branches, which is aimed at newly independent readers (generally ages 6−8). The first book in the Hilde Cracks the Case series will be published in fall 2017 and will be illustrated by an artist to be selected. The deal was negotiated by Sharlene Martin at the Martin Literary & Media Management, and Katie Carella, Senior Editor, Scholastic.
Hilde Kate Lysiak is the nine-year-old publisher of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania’s monthly newspaper, The Orange Street News. The paper has 700+ paid subscribers and is read by hundreds of thousands more on her website. Hilde rides around the streets of town on her pink bike in search of her next big scoop. She has covered fires, tornado damage, and even a story about how a dog thwarted a local break-in. Hilde’s journalism efforts have been profiled in the New York Times, Columbia Journalism Review, the New York Daily News, on NBC’s TODAY, and in hundreds of other newspapers and television stations around the world.
“It’s amazing that after publishing my own newspaper I now get to work with Scholastic to write books that will be read by kids all around the world. It’s a dream come true,” said Hilde Lysiak. “I want kids who read these books to love reporting like I do.”
“The support Hilde has received from children all around the world has been overwhelming,” said Matthew Lysiak. “As her parents, we believe that Scholastic offers Hilde the perfect opportunity to share her message that anything is possible and that kids can do great things.”
“I read about Hilde in the Washington Post, and I immediately envisioned a fiction series about a serious reporter who just happens to be nine years old,” said Katie Carella. “As soon as I spoke with Hilde, I just knew she’d be the perfect fit for Branches. Kids across the globe have reached out to her, inspired by her unflagging dedication to reporting the news. To quote Hilde: ‘You’re never too young to follow your dreams. If you take yourself seriously, other people will take you seriously, too.’ I’m thrilled to be working with the Lysiak family on this exciting, new series!”
About Hilde Cracks the Case
Hilde Cracks the Case will be a 96-page, black-and-white, fully-illustrated Branches series. This mystery series stars Hilde, along with her older sister, Izzy, as her sidekick/newspaper photographer. Each book will feature a fictionalized version of a real-life news story Hilde has covered. This series will introduce young readers to the basic questions of journalism—who, what, when, where, why, how. And each book will close with a news article. Children everywhere will soon be budding reporters solving mysteries of their own.
About Scholastic Branches
Scholastic launched the Branches illustrated early chapter book line in May 2013, and already has more than seven million books in print. There are 16 series currently in the marketplace, including The Notebook of Doom, Owl Diaries, Dragon Masters, and Eerie Elementary. Branches series span many different genres, and Scholastic aims to have a series for every reader. The Scholastic Branches line is solely made up of series books to encourage young readers to return to their favorite characters again and again. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books are designed to boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow. For more information about Branches, visit the Branches web site or Branches on Pinterest.
About Matthew Lysiak
Matthew Lysiak is a nationally recognized journalist and author. He has reported for the New York Daily News, Newsweek, the New York Sun, AM New York, and The Guardian. He has also appeared as a contributor on The Today Show, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, and countless other national and local media outlets to discuss his work. He co-authored the young adult memoir of teen scientist Jack Andraka, Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator Is Changing the World, and is the author of Newtown: An American Tragedy. The Lysiak family lives in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 95 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
Media contact:
Tracy van Straaten
VP, Trade Publicity, Scholastic
212/389-3782
tvanstraaten@scholastic.com
