AVALON HIGH: CORONATION #1: THE MERLIN PROPHECY

--All New Manga Story Picks Up Where Best-Selling Novel Leaves Off--
--Manga Contains First Chapter of Cabot's New Book: Pants on Fire--

TOKYOPOP had made a big announcement at the May 2007 Book Expo America in New York.  Author Meg Cabot's magical Arthurian epic will continue...manga style! TOKYOPOP, the self-styled leader of the Global Manga Revolution and HarperCollins Publishers, one of the top English-language publishers in the world, announced the July 2007 release of Avalon High: Coronation #1: The Merlin Prophecy, the first installment of a three part manga sequel to Avalon High. Written by critically acclaimed author Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries, Avalon High, Mediator, All-American Girl, Teen Idol) with art by Jinky Coronado (Banzai Girl), Avalon High: Coronation #1: The Merlin Prophecy expands on Meg Cabot's best-selling novel, replete with all the mythology and mysticism of Avalon High. As an added bonus for fans, the manga contains the first chapter of Cabot's new book, Pants on Fire.

According to Meg Cabot, "I had an idea for a sequel, but it wasn't enough story for a whole book. I was thinking of doing a novella, but then TOKYOPOP came along with the manga offer, and I was like: Bingo! The idea I had for the Avalon High sequel was just the right length for a manga. And the manga looks great. More than great-better than I ever dreamed!"

Amanda Maciel, Meg Cabot's editor, HarperCollinsChildren's Books, adds, "It's been an incredible experience working with Meg and TOKYOPOP, watching the characters of Avalon High come to life. Meg's exciting, action-packed story works perfectly with this genre, and everyone at HarperCollins is thrilled to bring Meg Cabot's storytelling talents to manga readers!"

Says TOKYOPOP's Senior Editor Julie Taylor, "I am so honored to be working with such a prolific, talented writer such as Meg Cabot. I'm a huge fan of her work. Connecting Meg and Jinky Coronado has been an absolute joy. Jinky is so talented, her work just continues to blow me away."

The story:  Being a new student at Avalon High has been exciting for Ellie, to say the least--she's an honor student, a star on the track team, and, oh yeah, dating the super-hot class president, Will, who also happens to be the alleged reincarnation of King Arthur. Ellie couldn't be happier to have Will in her life, but she's also worried that his estrangement from his parents is tearing him apart. To make matters worse, Will's doubt that he really is King Arthur could prevent the Merlin Prophecy--an age of enlightenment--from occurring. Can Ellie convince Will to believe in something that even she isn't sure about? And more importantly, can she get him to give his parents another chance?

Just in time for summer reading fun, Avalon High: Coronation #1: The Merlin Prophecy will be in stores in July, 2007.