Olympic Gold Medalist and American Soccer Star Alex Morgan to Publish Debut Middle-Grade Series With Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- American soccer star and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan has signed with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, to publish The Kicks, a three-book middle-grade series. The first title in the series will be published in Summer 2013, and is the author's first novel.    

The Kicks features new-girl-in-town Devon, and her three best friends, Jessi, Zoe, and Emma–the core of the Berryvale Bruisers. Written in a breezy and good-hearted style, the series is as much about friendship, leadership, and discovering each girl's individual and unique strengths as it is about soccer, while also recognizing that sports are as intrinsic a part of tween girl culture as clothes, boys, and texting.

"I'm thrilled with the opportunity to create a book series with Simon & Schuster that will inspire young girls and celebrate my love of soccer," said Morgan. "It seems like only yesterday, I was a kid myself, getting my first taste of the joys of teamwork, good sportsmanship, acceptance. Playing team sports is one of the best ways I can think of to develop strong values, good work ethics, and a health-focused lifestyle. This series will no doubt widen the appeal of soccer and bring an appreciation of the sport to readers who might not otherwise have that opportunity."

At the 2012 London Olympic Games, Morgan was a member of the U.S. team that won their third consecutive gold medal, and it was Morgan's dramatic game-winning goal in extra time that put the team through to the final. Morgan is a forward for the Seattle Sounders Women and a member of the US Women's National Team. In 2011 Morgan was the USA's youngest player at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

"Gold Medal winner Alex Morgan is an inspirational figure to kids across America," said Justin Chanda, Vice President, Publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. "Her books will bring her message of team-work, determination, and having fun with sports to a whole new audience. We're thrilled to be a part of the team."

The agreement was negotiated by Kristin Ostby, Editor of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, and Eric Simonoff at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, and includes World English and Audio rights. Kristin Ostby will edit the book.

ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Beach Lane Books, Libros para ninos, Little Simon^®, Little Simon Inspirations™, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, and Simon Spotlight^®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge^®, The Hardy Boys^®, Nancy Drew^®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Nickelodeon's^® Dora the Explorer^®, and SpongeBob SquarePants. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at http://kids.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

SOURCE Simon & Schuster

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED