Scholastic to Launch "The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire" Daily eBook Short Stories for the Holidays

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Scholastic breaks new ground by expanding upon the global success of the bestselling multi-media adventure series The 39 Clues™ with the launch of "The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire," a series of seven original eBook short stories released on seven consecutive days. Beginning December 25th, a new top secret "The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire" eBook short story will be released each day leading up to an explosive final story on December 31st.  This marks the first time that Scholastic is launching original eBook short stories in the phenomenally popular franchise. "The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire" stand-alone adventure stories will be available for sale at online retailers for $0.99 each.

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In addition to all-new information about the powerful Cahill family, "The 39 Clues: Rapid Fire" eBook short stories will each contain pieces of a code that when combined will unlock an exclusive virtual card and online content on The 39 Clues game site (www.the39clues.com). There are currently more than 11 million copies in print worldwide for the interactive adventure series, which combines books, collectible cards, and an online game where kids age 8-12 become a part of the story. The 39 Clues online game also continues to attract readers in all 50 states and 191 countries with more than 1.7 million registered users to date.

"We are thrilled about the enormous popularity and global reach of The 39 Clues series," said Ellie Berger, President, Scholastic Trade. "We love hearing feedback from readers around the world through online platforms like The 39 Clues Message Board and the message from fans is clear: they are excited and want more content and cannot wait for the next installment in The 39 Clues series. With the launch of 'Rapid Fire' during the holiday break, we're offering kids and The 39 Clues fans everywhere the instant gift of reading every day."

The 39 Clues™, the groundbreaking multi-platform adventure series written by a dream team of authors, was the first series of its kind in the publishing industry. Film rights for The 39 Clues have been optioned by DreamWorks with the script being penned by Jeff Nathanson whose credits include Catch Me if You Can and Rush Hour 2. The 39 Clues Madrigal Maze App for the Apple iPhone™ and iPod Touch® has been ranked among the top "Paid Kids Games" in Apple's App Store since release. Foreign publishing rights for The 39 Clues have been sold into 25 countries to date.

The 39 Clues® series launched on September 9, 2008, with Book 1: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan, which debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. On December 2, 2008, Book 2: One False Note by Gordon Korman was released and also debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Since then, the series, including Book 3: The Sword Thief by Peter Lerangis (March 3, 2009), Book 4: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson (June 2, 2009), Book 5: The Black Circle by Patrick Carman (August 11, 2009), Book 6: In Too Deep by Jude Watson (November 3, 2009), Book 7: The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis (February 2, 2010), Book 8: The Emperor's Code by Gordon Korman (April 6, 2010), Book 9: Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park (May 25, 2010), and Book 10: Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix (August 31, 2010), have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, a brand new 6-book story arc of the popular series, launched on August 30, 2011, with the release of Book 1: The Medusa Plot by #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman. The series continues with installments written by bestselling author Jude Watson (Book 2: A King's Ransom; December 6, 2011), bestselling author Peter Lerangis (Book 3: The Dead of Night; March 6, 2012), acclaimed author Roland Smith (Book 4; August 2012), and bestselling author and Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park (Book 5; December 2012). The concluding book in The 39 Clues Cahills vs. Vespers series will be released in March 2013 and will be written by international bestselling author David Baldacci.

For more information about The 39 Clues, and to download digital images, visit http://mediaroom.scholastic.com/The39Clues.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children's media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

SOURCE Scholastic Corporation