Quvenzhané Wallis Inks A 4 Book Deal With Simon & Schuster

Quvenzhané Wallis in Annie 

Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild, Annie, 12 Years A Slave) has inked a 4 book deal with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, a division of the publishing houses’ focus for younger readers (Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing).  The 12 year old is most known for her work as the starring role in Beasts of the Southern Wild (2011) where she became the youngest actress to receive an Academy Award nomination.  Last year’s holiday musical, Annie, earned her a Golden Globe nomination.   

The deal includes a chapter-book trilogy about Shai Williams, a talented 3rd grader and star in the making, who is very animated in life and needs the dramatic attention in the professional theatrical spotlight as well as in real life.

The untitled picture book is loosely based on Wallis’ on personal experience, and follows a young heroine with flair who has a fun time getting dolled up with her mother as the two embark on an awards show experience, riding a limo, walking the red carpet, taking pictures together, and bonding.  

Sources have this deal in six figures.

The first book within the chapter trilogy is set for a January 2017 release.  Followed by the second and the picture book later that fall.  The trilogy is scheduled to complete in the summer of 2018.  Illustrators for the trilogy as well as the picture book have yet to be selected.  

Wallis stated that, “Reading is very important.  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.” 

She is repped by ICM Partners and Lichter Grossman. 

Source: The Hollywood Reporter