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Launched in 1996, Scholastic's Dear America series introduced history through the diaries of fictional girls living in various eras. It was a format that resonated with middle-grade readers: the 35 titles pub-lished between that year and 2004 reached an in-print tally of 14 million copies. In September, the publisher will bring back this paper-over-board series with an updated design. The relaunch, which encompasses previously unpublished titles as well as reissues, will be supported by a $250,000 marketing campaign.

"In-house, I'd say Dear America has been one of our favorite series," says Suzanne Murphy, v-p and group publisher, Scholastic trade. "And the authors who wrote the original Dear America Books were clamoring to see us relaunch the series, since they get so many letters-as do we-from teachers, booksellers, and kids who find the books on shelves, asking for more. The groundswell of support led us to relaunch the series, with a new look for today's readers." The covers of the revamped Dear America titles will feature new art, gold foil elements, and (for the first time) author credits.

One of the four inaugural releases is The Fences Between Us by Kirby Larson, author of Newbery Honor book Hattie Big Sky; a 50,000-copy first printing is on order for this new title centering on a 13-year-old living in 1941 Seattle on the eve of the U.S.'s entrance into WWII. Also due in September are two reissues: Newbery Honor author Kathryn Lasky's A Journey to the New World, one of the original Dear America launch titles; and The Winter of Red Snow by Kristiana Gregory. A third reissue, Ellen Emerson White's Voyage on the Great Titanic, will follow in November.

Marketing plans for the relaunch include a video interview with Larson and a Dear America video book trailer, consumer print and online marketing, a fan fiction contest, bookmarks, retail floor displays, and promotion to mother-daughter book clubs. The publisher is also creating two interactive Dear America Web sites, one designed for readers and one for teachers, which contain links to historical materials provided by the Library of Congress. Features of the readers' site include interactive scrapbooks for each character, a downloadable private diary, message boards, book excerpts and author interviews, quizzes, and games.

"These multi-platform Web sites are great ways to extend the book experience," says Murphy. "We are excited about our partnership with the Library of Congress, and about building an online community of Dear America fans."

Among the six additions to the series scheduled for 2011 is Like the Willow Tree, a new book by Lois Lowry; and Cannons at Dawn, Gregory's sequel to Winter of Red Snow. Also due are reissues by Patricia McKissack, Karen Hesse, and Mary Pope Osborne.

"The response from authors has been amazing," Murphy notes. "Seeing history through the diaries of girls seems to be compelling to everyone. This is a great format that deserves to be back."

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