Get ready to get PLUNKED!
It’s official: I’m writing a pair of kids’ sports novels for Scholastic, leading off with a baseball book called PLUNKED. The last time I was this excited about something baseball-related, the Red Sox had just won the World Series for the first time in 86 years, there was a lunar eclipse, and I showed up to work the next morning groggy and with a (badly) shaved head. I probably won’t do that again this time. Probably. Here’s the official announcement from Publishers Weekly:
Anamika Bhatnagar at Scholastic has bought the first middle-grade novel by Michael Northrop, author of Gentlemen, in a two-book deal. In Plunked, the former Sports Illustrated Kids baseball editor brings his knowledge of and love for the sport in telling the story of a young slugger who loses his nerve after getting hit by a pitch, and has to dig deep to avoid giving up the sport he loves. Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger did the deal.
Just hooray cubed, you know? I am thrilled with every aspect of this deal, from the people involved to my continued avoidance of an actual day job. And thanks again to my valiant agent, Sara, the best in the biz.
Great title and synopsis. Congrats. As I have said before, I know this book is destined to be the second greatest middle grade baseball novel like, ever.
Thank you, sir! The #2 slot sounds good to me: You can deal with all of the paparazzi down in Fort Myers (as I sign a few baseballs and reapply sunblock to my nose).
Michael…congratulations on the sale to Scholastic! Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Jonathan! I am really enjoying writing about sports for this age-group again. I sort of feel like I have home-field advantage!
Michael, that is so freakin’ awesome. I loooove the idea for this one. Every single book idea you’ve come up with or told me about has been unbelievably hook-y and this is no exception. Can’t wait for it. Congrats, man, seriously.
Thanks, Joe! I really appreciate it (and apologize that my dumb site has assigned you a pink comment-avatar-thing).
You are still top of the hook food chain, though, and as good a hook as “Star Wars zombie novel” is, Death Troopers completely delivered. (I know I’ve said that before, but whatever, you just reminded me.)
Hope you have a great weekend!