Joey King and Chase Stokes Cast in Netflix Movie Based on Uglies Series
Joey King and Chase Stokes have been cast to star in the Netflix movie adaptation of Uglies, based on Scott Westerfield’s young adult science-fiction series. Also cast in the upcoming film are Brianne Tju and Keith Powers. Netflix has yet to confirm who each of the actors will be playing, but fans have been speculating that King will take on the role of Tally Youngblood, the heroine of the series. The screenplay for the adaptation will be written by Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff. Author Scott Westerfield will executive produce the project alongside Jamie King and John Fox. The movie will be directed by McG.
Tiffany Haddish Signs Three-Book Deal with HarperCollins Children’s
Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish has signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books. Her first book with HarperColls Children’s will be a picture book entitled Layla, the Last Black Unicorn, which will be out on May 10, 2022. Layla, the Last Black Unicorn is the story of a unicorn who doesn’t fit in with others and struggles to find her place in the world and what makes her special. Two middle grade novels that Haddish will cowrite with Paula Chase are set to release in winter 2023 and winter 2024. Haddish said in a statement, “It’s no secret that when I was growing up, I had a lot of difficulties learning to read. Like many kids, more than anything, I wanted to see myself in the books I read.…Layla is incredibly close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share this book, along with my two middle grade novels, with the world, and I hope they encourage more kids to read.”
Mental Health Charity Denies Donation from Jamie Lynn Spears’ Forthcoming Book
Britney Spears’ younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears offered to give the proceeds of her upcoming book to the non-profit organization This Is My Brave. But the organization has turned down Spears’ offer. This Is My Brave is a mental health non-profit started by Jennifer Marshall. In the wake of the #freebritney movement, This Is My Brave was flooded with criticism, and so the organization took to Instagram to announce that they would no longer be accepting the donation. “We heard you. We’re taking action,” they wrote on Instagram. “We are deeply sorry to anyone we offended. We are declining the donation from Jamie Lynn Spears’s book.”
Book Challenges and Censorship This Week
Haven’t been able to keep up with all the book challenges and censorship news going on lately? Here’s your update for the week, from a book being pulled from school shelves that the media does not want to name to The Onion taking on real headlines.