Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia (1977) and the current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, has written a new middle-grade novel called The Flint Heart. The 304-page book has been “freely abridged” from Eden Phillpotts‘ 1910 fantasy.

It will be released on September 27th. John Paterson Sr. worked on this title with his wife. The two have collaborated on several book projects in the past including Blueberries for the Queen (2004).

The trailer embedded above offers a glimpse into the book’s illustrations. John Rocco, known for creating the covers of Rick Riordan‘s Percy Jackson series, illustrated the book. According to the release, Bedrock Studios and Arcady Bay Entertainment have already snatched up The Flint Heart for a feature film adaptation.

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STAT #1: Home Court, will star 11-year-old Amar’e Stoudemire, dealing with sports, bullying and discovering one’s passion. Publisher Debra Dorfman negotiated the deal with Happy Walters from Rogue Sports Agency, Aaron Spiewak from Designers Management Agency and Cathy Hemming from McCormick & Williams Agency.

Stoudemire (pictured, via) had this statement in the release: ”I decided to write for children because although I am an avid reader now, I wish I had read more as a child. I hope that together with Scholastic, we can creatively inspire a new generation to read.”

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Here’s more from Picoult’s Facebook announcement: “Color me happy! My daughter Sammy and I JUST finished editing the young teen chapter book we co-wrote, BETWEEN THE LINES … it’s about a prince who wants to break free from his fairytale existence … and the girl who falls for him while she’s reading. It’s sweet and romantic and funny — and to celebrate, we’re going out for ribs!!”

According to The Book Case, the mother-daughter duo will tour to promote the title. Picoult is not the first writer to partner with her daughter on a writing project.

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Aladdin will release the fourth title, Dork Diaries 3 ½: How to Dork Your Diary, in October. Book five will follow in fall 2012 and book six is coming in spring 2013. Publisher Mara Anastas negotiated the deal with Writers House literary agent Daniel Lazar. Executive editor Liesa Abrams will serve as editor for all the forthcoming books.

Russell had this statement in the release: “As my character Nikki Maxwell might say, Squee! Or she might break into a Snoopy happy dance. That’s how excited I am to be writing and drawing more Dork Diaries books. Watching this series grow and be embraced by fans all over the world has been a dream come true, and I’m so happy that I can keep showing my readers that, indeed, dorks rule!”

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Glee star Chris Colfer has signed a two-book deal with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. His middle grade novel, The Land of Stories, will be released in summer 2012. A publication date for the untitled follow-up has not been announced.

Deputy publisher Andrew Smith and editorial director Alvina Ling negotiated the deal with literary agent Rob Weisbach of Rob Weisbach Creative Management. Ling will edit the book. The video embedded above features Colfer performing a duet with his Glee co-star Darren Criss.

Here’s more from the press release: “A fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales, The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner Bailey. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, Alex and Conner leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they comeface-to-face with the characters they grew up reading about.”

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