As part of that model, Lotz announced the first of several new partnerships. Starting in spring '09, Candlewick will launch its first book imprint in conjunction with British publisher Templar. The two houses have worked together for the past six years on a number of projects, most notably Candlewick's bestselling Ologies series. No details have been released on the number of titles or which books will fall under the Templar imprint; however, the Ologies books will stay as Candlewick titles.

At the same time, Candlewick is looking to extend its global reach for its home-grown books. For the first time, it will offer titles passed on by parent company Walker Books to other U.K. publishers. Lotz refers to it as a "reciprocal," since it's a strategy that Walker employs on this side of the pond: it has continued to sell some of its titles to other U.S. publishers even after Candlewick was founded.   

3 Willows will be followed by two additional novels starring the new characters, though pub dates for those have not yet been set. “Ann felt that there were more stories to tell about friendship and girls,” said Loggia, of the decision to set 3 Willows at the school from the previous series. “For fans who love the Sisterhood [series], there are little moments and characters and details woven in that will delight them and that they won’t see coming.”

All four Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants novels were bestsellers and have sold more than eight million copies in North America, with foreign rights sold in 42 languages. On August 6, the Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, based largely on the plot of the fourth book in the series, Forever in Blue, will debut in movie theaters nationwide.

Pullman’s series, set in Victorian London, stars a 16-year-old protagonist who quickly becomes familiar with the city’s sinister side—her father is murdered in the first book, and magicians, clairvoyants and persecuted Jewish immigrants figure into later plots. The series marked Pullman’s introduction to an American audience; Knopf published The Ruby in the Smoke, in hardcover in 1987, followed by the three additional titles—The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well and The Tin Princess—over the next seven years.

FSG’s Frances Foster, who was a senior editor at Knopf at the time, originally acquired the series, and says that she was drawn to them immediately. “I don’t remember ever having read anything, as far as a manuscript, that struck me so deeply,” she recalls. “They are complex mysteries, these Sally Lockhart books. I didn’t see how anyone could possibly resist them.” Foster believed that the books had the potential to reach a diverse group of readers. “I thought it would appeal enormously to teenage girls,” she says, “but I thought it would also appeal to anybody interested in Victorian times or anyone who likes mystery.”   

The genesis of the title is an actual ball that Carroll played with as a boy, which helped him discover his athletic ability and a passion for sports. That ball fueled Carroll's personal and professional dreams and, he insists, "it saved my life." Born in a Philadelphia suburb in 1958, he, along with his two brothers, moved in with their grandparents after their parents abandoned them. The local playground became what he calls "my sanctuary—a magical environment where my worries, shame and low self-esteem disappeared."

During 10 years of active duty in the Air Force, Carroll spent a good deal of time playing soccer. He went on to study sports medicine and worked as an athletic trainer for high school and college athletic teams, eventually becoming the head trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers. He then went to work for Nike, where he was responsible for inspiring employees. "It was my job to push their creativity and potential to the limit," he says.  

Crocodile Pie's new and old owners: Kim Zizic (l.) and Kim White.

Less than four weeks ago, however, Kim Zizic, a longtime store patron and local dentist, whose offices are located near Crocodile Pie, stepped forward to purchase the 400-square-foot store, which carries about 20,000 titles. She will become its owner on August 1, when the sale is finalized.

“It’s part of our community. I don’t want it to go away,” said Zizic, who has no previous bookstore experience. “The store has great sales and recurring business. I want to build on that.”