NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� The publishing arm of is teaming with million-selling novelist Alex Aster on a Barbie young adult novel in which the iconic doll embarks on a journey across 鈥渢reacherous, magical lands.鈥�
鈥淏arbie: Dreamscape,鈥� scheduled for July 28, is the first novel for young adults out of Mattel Publishing since the imprint was announced three years ago. The novel is not tied to and no screen adaptation is currently planned, according to Mattel.
The toy and family entertainment company is calling Aster’s book a 鈥渃oming-of-age story鈥� that finds Barbie declared 鈥淔ateless鈥� at the graduation ceremony of the 鈥渆nchanted鈥� Swancrest Academy.
鈥淭o earn a Fate, she must journey across treacherous, magical lands in search of the mysterious beings who control the destinies of everyone in Heartland 鈥� and the buried truths that could change her world forever,鈥� Thursday’s announcement reads in part. 鈥淏ecause to forge her own path, Barbie must step out of the box … and into the unknown.鈥�
The is focused on Mattel’s 鈥渆xtensive catalog of children鈥檚 and family entertainment franchises,鈥� including Barbie, Hot Wheels and Polly Pocket. Earlier this week, Mattel Inc. announced it had created an autistic Barbie doll, part of the Fashionistas line committed to diversity.
Aster, a social media favorite best known for her 鈥淟ightlark鈥� series and for the adult novel 鈥淪ummer in the City,鈥� said in a statement that Barbie dolls were a formative part of her childhood.
鈥淚 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,鈥� she said.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
