Patterson to release Middle School spin-off Dog Diaries

Young Arrow has acquired a new children’s book, Dog Diaries, a spin-off from James Patterson’s bestselling middle grade Middle School series.

Written by James Patterson and Steven Butler, and illustrated by Richard Watson, Dog Diaries will be written in diary format from the point of view of Junior, the Khatchadorian family’s rescue dog. 

Its publication, according to Penguin Random House, is part of a plan to expand the Middle School brand by reaching a younger audience; the new book is aimed at ages 7 - 9. As well as the new book, the publishers have also launched a Middle School Live event hosted by Butler.

Dog Diaries will be published in paperback, e-book and audio on 31st May 2018, priced at £5.99. UK, Commonwealth and Europe rights were bought by Patterson’s editor, John Sugar, from Rosemary Sandberg at Rosemary Sandberg Ltd.

Patterson commented: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Steven. Junior is one of my favourite characters and I know kids are going to love the stories.”

Butler said: “It’s been great to add to the rich and very funny world of James Patterson’s Middle School series. Writing Junior’s story with James was ridiculously fun and we can’t wait to share his canine capers with readers.”

Watson said: “I am so excited to be working on this project and I've really enjoyed being able to bring Junior’s own story to life.” 

The Middle School series has sold over 250,000 copies through BookScan in the UK.