Rachel Renee Russell, the author behind the Dork Diaries series, has signed a deal to write a new middle grade series. Aladdin, an imprint at Simon & Schuster, will release the first installment, entitled The Misadventures of Max Crumbly, in April 2016. Book two will follow in Spring 2017.
Publisher Mara Anastas negotiated the deal with Writers House literary agent Daniel Lazar. Associated editorial director Liesa Abrams will edit the manuscripts. Abrams has been working with Russell (pictured, via) since her first Dork Diaries book.
Here’s more from the press release: “The Misadventures of Max Crumbly introduces Max Crumbly and his daily ups and downs at South Ridge Middle School. Homeschooled by his grandmother until he begs his family to send him to public middle school, Max begins to rethink that choice when Tommy Silver keeps stuffing him in his locker. For ages 8-12, this hilarious and heartfelt new series is illustrated with Max’s black-and-white comics as he attempts to escape the locker and tries his best to be the hero his school needs.”