Amy Ephron's latest novel, The Other Side of the Wall, doesn't hit book store shelves until October 15th via Philomel Books, but the story is already destined to receive the live-action feature film treatment.
As per Deadline's exclusive report, Ephron is teaming with Oscar-nominated TOY STORY screenwriter Alec Sokolow to adapt the screenplay. The duo will also produce with Nice Media Studios' Sam Sokolow, most commonly known for being the executive producer of National Geographic's much-celebrated series, GENIUS.
The Other Side of the Wall serves as the third installment of Ephron's The Other Side series following The Castle in the Mist and Carnival Magic. The story takes place in London during Christmastime, and follows the adventures of Tess and her younger brother Max, as they navigate magical hidden worlds around England.
Here's a more detailed description for The Other Side of the Wall courtesy of Penguin Random House:
It's Christmas break and Tess and Max are in London, staying at the posh Sanborn House with their Aunt Evie. As they wait for their parents to arrive, there is an unusual snowstorm that makes the city seem as if it's caught in a snow globe. Perfect weather for an adventure in Hyde Park. But when Max, Tess, and Aunt Evie leave to search for a cab, they find a horse and carriage and driver curiously waiting for them at the curb. And that's just the beginning…
Soon Tess is charmed by a mysterious boy named Colin who lives at the hotel all year round–on the 8th floor. But Max is sure the elevator only had 7 floors the day before. And how come everyone at the hotel seems to ignore Colin? Things seem to get stranger and stranger. There's a 1920s costume party in Colin's parents' apartment. A marble that seems to be more than it appears. And a shadow that passes mysteriously by Tess and Max's hotel window.
Tess wants to figure out what's going on, but finds only more questions: Is it just a coincidence that Colin's last name is Sanborn, the same as the hotel? Why does the cat's-eye marble look eerily similar to the crystal at the top of their hotel room key? And, most importantly, what happened in that hotel one Christmas long, long ago?
In this mysterious story sprinkled with holiday enchantment, Amy Ephron transports readers into the magic of London at wintertime, where it's just possible that what seems imaginary is real, and your wishes might come true.
“It feels like a present to me,” said Ephron, “to work with the multi-talented, insightful Alec Sokolow and the razor-sharp, distinguished Sam Sokolow on a live-action version of Tess and Max’s story. Both of their extraordinary gifts and instincts make it seem as if anything is possible.”
“I’m so grateful that Amy has invited me to play in the sandbox of her imagination. Amy paints these insanely real and emotional pictures with her words. I was immediately transported through a portal to this magical ‘other’ realm of adventure, suspense, and second chances,” Sokolow said, echoing Ephron's excitement for the project. “As our world continues to challenge my sense of community, it’s such a gift to be transported to The Other Side, where the stakes are humongous, but there are no guns or violence. It’s just good old-fashioned storytelling with fantastical surprises and an empowering heroine. The Other Side series grabbed me and I hope it never lets go.”
“It’s a long-time dream of mine to work with Amy, one of the brightest, kindest minds writing today,” added Sokolow. “And working with my brother, Alec, is always a bucket-list experience. The Other Side series has the double bottom-line potential of being a blockbuster, as well as a positive force of energy in our world.”
The fantasy genre has grown quite stale since the days of when properties the likes of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Chronicles of Narnia were alive on the big screen. With that in mind, Ephron's THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL could serve as an exciting reminder that there's still magic to be had in Hollywood, and that an honest-to-goodness, family-friendly romp might be just the thing to help soothe our savage souls.