Mattel Press to publish Barbie YA novel – Barbie: Dreamscape – from Alex Aster

Mattel Press – Mattel’s own publishing platform – is publishing a Barbie young adult novel this summer.

Barbie: Dreamscape, written by New York Times bestselling author Alex Aster, goes on sale in the US and Canada on July 28th.

The coming-of-age story that follows Barbie, a girl whose perfectly planned future is shattered when she’s declared Fateless at her enchanted school’s graduation. To earn a Fate, she must journey across magical lands in search of the mysterious beings who control the destinies of everyone in Heartland.

“Alex Aster and Barbie are a natural pairing, and her personal affinity and genuine love for the brand shines through in a story that resonates with today’s young adult readers,” said Ryan Ferguson, Global Head of Publishing at Mattel.

“Barbie: Dreamscape reflects Mattel’s commitment to growing a book community and bringing our beloved brands to life through new stories and voices, giving authors space to share their own unique perspectives. As the brand’s first official novel, it offers fans another way to connect with Barbie through an epic fantasy that explores destiny and self-discovery, while marking a meaningful addition to our publishing slate.”

Alex Aster added “Playing with Barbie dolls was one of my first forms of storytelling and creative outlets as a kid. I spent countless hours making up stories starring each of my dolls, and I still remember the excitement of opening a new box, adding another character to my tales, marveling at each accessory. I’m honored to write the first YA Barbie book, and can’t wait for readers to go on this journey of self-discovery with Barbie!”

The deal was negotiated by Jodi Reamer of Writers House LLC for Alex Aster and Elana Cohen at Mattel.