The Bookseller.com

4th July 2009

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Short Austens for teenagers

07.01.08 Brian Semple

Jane Austen's novels have been rewritten as shorter versions in a new series from Real Reads, which aims to make the books more accessible to a younger readership. All six of Austen's main books have been reworked and illustrated in full colour for the series, which is aimed at 8-13 year-olds. The first two—Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility—will be launched on Valentine's Day (all are £4.99 paperbacks).

Real Reads has already adapted a series of Dickens' novels, which were featured on Radio 4's Open Book. Publisher John Button says his inspiration came from his work for Stroud-based publishing management company Bookcraft. "At Bookcraft we do a lot of work with classic literature for publishers like Collector's Library and Worth Press," said Button. "It struck us that very few books are aimed at bridging the gap between children's and grown-up books, and that there was a yawning gap in the children's market for classics. They're only available to young readers in imprints like Ladybird and Usborne, and then only the 'easy' ones like Oliver Twist and Christmas Carol. What teenager would want to be seen with them?

"People might say, 'Not Austen again', and that's the point—it's not just Austen again, they are beautiful books that will open the classics up for young people and adults with little time on their hands. They are paperbacks with a dust cover that can be taken off, meaning that adults can read them in public without fear of being seen to read a children's book."

Distribution is by Booksource.

Book Jane Austen Brian Semple Real Reads