Barnes and Noble features 39 Clues in national summer reading program 2010

NEW YORK, NY – May 6, 2010 – Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS), the world’s largest bookseller, announced the launch of its 2010 Summer Reading program featuring Scholastic’s bestselling multi-media adventure series The 39 Clues®. Children in grades 1-6 can earn a free book just by reading eight books and turning in a completed journal sheet. The free program kicks off in Barnes & Noble stores across the country May 25th and continues through September 6th. Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com) will host Summer Reading blogs, games and other activities.

In The 39 Clues series, siblings Amy and Dan Cahill agree to the challenge in their grandmother’s will to search for 39 clues all over the world. The series is based around history, teaching readers about famous historical figures including Benjamin Franklin, Amelia Earhart, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The next two books in The 39 Clues series, Book 9: Storm Warning (May 25, 2010) by Linda Sue Park and the final title, Book 10: Into the Gauntlet (August 31, 2010) by Margaret Peterson Haddix, will be released during the 2010 Summer Reading program.

The 39 Clues authors Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park, and Margaret Peterson Haddix will be making appearances at select stores across the country. Scheduled events include a reading and signing with Margaret Peterson Haddix in Columbus, Ohio, and a signing with Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson and Gordon Korman in Huntington Station, New York. The authors will also participate in a Summer Reading blog at Barnes & Noble.com, (www.bn.com/summerreading) where they will post about summer reading memories and children’s literacy.

New this year, BN.COM will participate in The 39 Clues interactive game. Every month this summer, children who participate in the Summer Reading program will have access to exclusive 39 Clues digital game cards. Each card has a special code that can be entered into the 39 Clues website (www.the39clues.com) to unlock content and activities in the online game. In addition to this fun interactive content, BN.COM will also feature a video interview with Rick Riordan, guest posts by The 39 Clues authors, and a Summer Reading discussion in the Family Room free online Book Club for parents.

“The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program is a fantastic way to encourage kids to read during the summer and instill a love of books and create lifelong readers,” said Mary Amicucci, Vice President of Children’s Books for Barnes & Noble, Inc. “We are very excited to partner with Scholastic this year for our program. Hosting the authors in our stores and posting their blogs on BN.COM, plus having The 39 Clues interactive game content on our site, is a great way to encourage kids to discover the world of reading.”

“The multimedia approach of The 39 Clues series is a perfect way to get kids engaged in reading during the summer months and beyond,” said Ellie Berger, President of Scholastic Trade. “Scholastic, along with our dream team of 39 Clues authors, are thrilled to participate in the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program, both in-store and online. With this exciting program, we are offering kids both a thrilling online adventure and an immersive reading experience.”

The 39 Clues will be featured in all of Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading materials including signage, classroom activity kits and reading passports. Barnes & Noble community relations managers will be distributing activity kits in stores, at their local schools and at many public libraries. Teachers, parents and children can download the materials for free at www.bn.com/summerreading.

In addition to earning a free book by reading, children who participate in the Summer Reading program are eligible to win a free set of The 39 Clues books, signed by each author. Each Barnes & Noble store across the country will have one set to give away.

For more information about The 39 Clues, visit www.the39clues.com.