Brad Meltzer to Launch Children’s Series and ‘Decoded’ Book (Exclusive)

Brad Meltzer will continue to explore historical heroes in a new children’s book series, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

I Am Amelia Earhart is first up in his upcoming series, Ordinary People Change the World, which is being published under Penguin’s Dial Books for Young Readers imprint. Earhart, which is eying a 2014 publish date, will focus on the famous female pilot and is being illustrated by artist Chris Eliopoulos.

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“These are the heroes who make up our American mythology. And the reason their stories persist is because they say something about our own lives,” Meltzer tells THR.

In addition to penning best-selling novels, Meltzer is the author of two non-fiction books, 2010’s Heroes For My Son and last year’s Heroes For My Daughter, both of which profile individuals who can serve as role models for is children.

The new series is the spiritual sibling of those books.

“We’re a country starving for heroes. And whether we like it or not, our kids will choose heroes,” he says. “For my own kids, this was my chance to have a say in it.”

Meltzer also revealed that later this year he and Workman Publishing will launch a book based on his History Channel series Brad Meltzer’s Decoded. Since its December 2010 premiere, the series has investigated U.S. political mysteries and conspiracy theories.

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Meltzer previously co-created the WBTV show Jack & Bobby. As a comic book writer, he and artist Gene Ha shared a 2008 Eisner award for their work on Justice League of America. His latest book, the political thriller The Fifth Assassin, was released Jan. 15.

Meltzer is repped by Jill Kneerim at Kneerim & Williams, teamed with Jodi Reamer at Writers House.

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