Barbie trades the Dreamhouse for a sword in Mattel’s first young-adult novel, a sweeping fantasy that sends the 65-year-old doll into magical wastelands on July 28.
At a Glance
- Barbie is declared “Fateless” during her graduation from Swancrest Academy.
- She must cross treacherous realms to beg destiny-weavers for a future.
- The stand-alone tale is not connected to the 2023 blockbuster film.
- Why it matters: Young fans get a new chapter-book format aimed squarely at the YA market, widening Barbie’s 60-plus-year storytelling reach.
A Fateless Heroine Steps Out of the Box
Barbie’s latest incarnation arrives between two covers, not plastic, as Mattel Publishing releases “Barbie: Dreamscape.” The 320-page coming-of-age fantasy, written by social-media favorite Alex Aster, lands in bookstores July 28.
According to Thursday’s announcement, the story opens on graduation day at the enchanted Swancrest Academy. Instead of receiving a pre-written destiny like her classmates, Barbie is branded “Fateless”-a label that banishes her to the margins of Heartland society.
Her only option: trek across “treacherous, magical lands” and confront the mysterious beings who literally hold everyone’s fate in their hands.
Inside the Plot
- Barbie leaves the safety of Swancrest’s marble halls.
- She navigates shifting deserts, cursed forests, and floating cities.
- Buried truths about Heartland-and herself-surface along the way.
- The climax forces her to choose between accepting an assigned role or forging her own path.
Mattel calls the narrative “a celebration of self-determination,” echoing the brand’s recent push for diverse, empowered portrayals.
Meet the Author
Alex Aster, best known for the TikTok-driven “Lightlark” series and the adult novel “Summer in the City,” said she channeled childhood memories into the project.
> “I 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,” Aster said in a statement provided by Jonathan P. Miller.
The Colombian-American writer’s Lightlark trilogy has sold more than a million copies worldwide, according to her publisher, making her a logical pick for Mattel’s YA debut.
Why Now?
Mattel announced its publishing imprint three years ago with a mandate to adapt its “extensive catalog of children’s and family entertainment franchises.” Previous releases were picture books and early readers; “Dreamscape” marks the division’s first stab at the lucrative young-adult aisle.
The timing aligns with Barbie’s broader cultural resurgence. Greta Gerwig’s 2023 film grossed $1.4 billion, and last week Mattel unveiled an autistic Barbie doll within the Fashionistas line-another step toward inclusive representation.
Still, the novel stands alone. No film or streaming adaptation is currently planned, Mattel confirmed to News Of Losangeles.
Publishing Details
| Element | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Barbie: Dreamscape |
| Author | Alex Aster |
| Publisher | Mattel Publishing |
| Release Date | July 28, 2025 |
| Format | Hardcover, e-book, audiobook |
| Target Age | 12 and up |
| Page Count | 320 |
Pre-orders opened Thursday on every major platform, with a first printing in the six figures, according to people familiar with the rollout.
Key Takeaways
- Barbie’s universe expands from toy aisles and movie theaters into YA literature.
- “Dreamscape” positions the doll as a self-directed heroine rather than a fashion icon.
- Mattel hopes to replicate Aster’s social-media magic to hook Gen-Z readers.
- The stand-alone story keeps corporate synergy options open without tying creatives to existing canon.
Jonathan P. Miller first reported the announcement for News Of Losangeles.
