HarperCollins Children’s Books has partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA for an eight-book publishing program, with the first title to launch this fall. Plans include both fiction and nonfiction, with a focus on themes such as friendship, leadership, taking action, and making the world a better place, all areas at the core of the Girls Scouts organization.
The first book, a middle grade novel called Maven Takes the Lead, is written by Pura Belpré Award winner Yamile Saied Méndez, author of 20 titles including picture books (Where Are You From?), middle grade novels (The Trouble with Sunshine), and young adult titles (Furia).
Maven Takes the Lead, which will go on sale on September 24, is about a fifth grader whose goal is to win the robotics competition at school, supported by her friends and her Girl Scout troop; in the process, they all learn to make a positive impact through courage, confidence, and character. This is the first title in a planned series that will celebrate the diverse members of Maven’s Girl Scout troop.
The first middle-grade nonfiction titles will be released in January and April 2025, respectively. They include a guidebook, Take Action: You Can Make the World a Better Place, and a guided journal, The Ultimate Friendship Journal: An Interactive Guide to Making New Friends & Treasuring the Ones You’ve Got. Both include quizzes, writing prompts, and other activities.
The remaining five Girl Scout titles under contract are scheduled for publication throughout 2026. They will include another middle grade novel as well as books for younger readers, namely a picture book and three I Can Read! leveled readers.
World rights for the Girl Scouts of the USA’s publishing program were licensed to Nancy Inteli, VP and publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, , and Erika DiPasquale, editor, by Cait Hoyt at CAA.
The Girl Scouts organization has extended its brand into many consumer products categories as well. Some of its recent merchandise launches include body care from Native, makeup from Hard Candy, a toy Girl Scout cookie booth from MGA Entertainment, cookie-flavored cold-brew coffees from Chameleon Organic, and many more. Earthbound Brands represents the group for licensed brand extensions.
