Um..Its already April. So is the book Swamp of Secrets or another one?

He's talking about the 2009 books, not the 2008 books. This year, there will be three books: Shadows in the Sky, Swamp of Secrets, and The Final Battle.

Next year we're getting only two chapter books, but they're going to be longer than normal.

-TNTOS-

I don't see why "young reader" books are needed...the normal books aren't difficult. But then again if they're going to be more widely available and that has an affect on all the books, that's good.

Greg,

You said that the chapter books are already 128 pages. Does this mean you already have them written or that they are set to have that many pages.

So the first six months of 2009 will have two young reader books with side stories. Side stories seem to be the main focus of the Bioniclestory.com serials, so with the young reader books being side stories, does that mean that winter 2009 bioniclestory.com serials will actually be a part of the storyline?

Personally, I'd rather have one chapter book in the winter and one in the summer, not being a movie novelization, and then get the movie in the fall. I hope winter 2009 won't be like the winter of 2007, where we mainly had the Barraki terrorizing the Mahri Nui Matoran until the Mask of Life let off it's blinding glow.

But for now, I am content to wait for summer 2008!

Konuju

Hi Shadowbolt --

 

We have not decided if one of the chapter books will be a strict movie novelization or not -- regardless, my guess is I would focus both books on second half story, rather than first half, but we'll see.

 

The readers, as they are this year, will be side stories that aren't essential to following the main story, since I don't expect BZP's 15 year olds to troop to the store to buy books written for 6 year olds.

 

Greg

Well I don't know about you but I think the movie novelizations are not as good as the originals if a movie were based of a book thats different but remakes of the movies are worse in my opinion

Sounds good, but I still think it'd be a good idea to at least attempt reaching older fans or recruiting new older fans by instead of writing simpler, smaller readers for small children (there was nothing wrong with the chapter books), trying for a more sophisitcated, less held back and perhaps longer book series. They wouldn't have to be completely drastically different, but a less child-like approach I think would benefit Bionicle. I understand the story is meant to promote a kid's toy, but the story itself does have value, and gets only a small fraction of the attention it deserves.

 

Lego is always talking about cost, and the way I see it, Lego is one of the #1 toy companies in the world. A bit of risk wouldn't hurt too much, would it?

 

Just my two cents.

Taking a risk now is way to risky. With the whole world economy going down, people are less likely to go on a shopping spree, or buy things for their kids that they don't need to live with.

Once the ecnomy goes up and spending goes up, Lego then should take that risk.

Neat. I am sort of sad that there will only be two more chapter books next year, but I suppose the movies and the new turnaroud will make up for that, and sales I DO understand.

_Xenn

Good to hear Scholastic hasn't completely ruled out a return to more book-central years. I'll support the young reader motion by buying them, of course. If it means more material I can really enjoy in 2010, a few dollars is worth the trouble.

 

I do think we BZPers put a bit too much value in the books. We've got a movie coming up that is certain to be much more BIONICLE than previous films, side serials on BIONICLEStory, and possibly CIG later this year, and if that does happen, likely some more during winter and spring next year to balance out the movie in fall. And there's the comics too - we've got a great diversification of storyline sources, which I do prefer over just books and comics.

thicker chapter books is great but.. only two for one story line?! and in place of more chapter books smaller kids books..not the best of deals..

Gotrek

I have a few things to say:

• If Scholastic has never tried the readers before, and the first one isn't out yet, why do they want more? What will happen if they don't sell as well as the chapter books?
• Longer chapter books is great, but a reason sales are down could be that they aren't being sold everywhere. I would really love to buy chapter books (It's not the same just looking it up), but the postage fees for anywhere I buy them are way too expensive, and I can't find them anywhere in AUS.
• If the readers will be in more bookshops, will they come to AUS?

COOL!!! I cant wait for the bigger chapter books, and I have a 4 year old brother who LOVES Bionicle, so he mighht like the easy books. He'll be 5 or 6 by then.

So will the books for younger readers be like "One day Tahu did something, something happened, and he learned a lesson" type of books?

Darn it, too bad I'll be in college by that time, because I won't have money for the chapter books. Guess I'll have to wait for them to show up at the library...

Cool. Can't wait for the books to come out!

I'm also intrested in the non-LEGO books. What kind of books are you planning? Fantasy? Sci-Fi? Can't wait for them too.

Toa Phoenix

I will personally buy 12 copies of all 2008 books, and get my friends to read them.

Maybe not.