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Quvenzhane Wallis

Quvenzhané Wallis gets four-book deal with Simon & Schuster

Maria Puente
USA TODAY
Quvenzhane Wallis in July 2015 in Los Angeles.

Quvenzhané Wallis, the 12-year-old Oscar nominee, is turning her talents to writing: Simon & Schuster announced Wednesday it has signed a four-book deal with her and will publish starting in 2017.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of the publishing house's children's division, said in a press release it will publish an as-yet-untitled series of three chapter books, and a picture book loosely based on Wallis' experiences.

Wallis' experiences are unique. A previously unknown child from Houma, La., she shot to fame playing resilient little Hushpuppy in 2012's fantasy-drama Beasts of the Southern Wild.

Her performance was widely acclaimed and earned her an Oscar nomination — the youngest-ever actress to be nominated. And a year later, she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the title role in the holiday blockbuster Annie.

Quvenzhané Wallis; as Hushpuppy, in a scene from 'Beasts of the Southern Wild.'

But Wallis likes to read as well as act.

“Reading is very important,” she said in a statement. “It allows people to form a visual experience in their minds of what is going on in the story. I hope all readers enjoy using their imaginations along with me and take a journey into my books."

S&S did not disclose the financial terms of the deal.

The as-yet-untitled picture book will follow a "spunky young heroine who is very much looking forward to a night out with her mom at an awards show," the publisher's press release says. They get dressed up, ride in a limo and walk the red carpet — just as Wallis did during awards season, toting her series of cute "puppy purses."

Winning Oscar accessory? A puppy purse

The chapter books will focus on a third-grader named Shai Williams, who has a flair for the dramatic. S&S described the three books — which will come out in January 2017, then in the fall of 2017 and finally in the summer of 2018 — as "perfect" for readers ages 6 and up and for fans of the Clementine books and Judy Moody's books.

"I'm thrilled that Quvenzhané  is turning her estimable abilities to books," said Christian Trimmer, executive editor of S&S Books for Young Readers, in a statement. "Her dedication to great storytelling is readily apparent. Readers of all ages are in for a real treat."

Wallis tweeted about the book deal later Wednesday (her parents manage her account), writing: "Looking forward to spending time on our magical reading journeys Quvenzhané+Wallis+Lands+4-Book+Deal+|+GalleyCat"

But her second-to-last tweet suggests another one of her interests: her pets.

 

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