NEW YORK, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic and LucasBooks are happy to announce the launch of the Official Website for "The Seventh Tower," a new fantasy book series written by acclaimed author Garth Nix. The website, http://www.theseventhtower.com, is being launched in conjunction with the June in-store release of "The Seventh Tower #1: The Fall," the first title in this projected six-book series. "The Fall" has received rave reviews and as of mid-June had reached #20 on the B&N bestseller's list. The second title, "The Seventh Tower #2: Castle," will follow in September 2000 with additional titles to follow every three months thereafter.

The Seventh Tower website was created with the participation of Lucasfilm Ltd. and Skywalker Sound, the award-winning post production facility at Skywalker Ranch.

http://www.theseventhtower.com website opens with an exciting flash trailer featuring the main character Tal's dramatic climb to the tower and his fall into the unknown. Highlights of the website include:

-- Explore A World takes readers into the Character Card Gallery where selected characters talk about their mysterious world. -- Forum allows readers to make comments and see what others think about the series.

-- Tell Me More allows readers to register for e-mail updates, alerts, insights and fun facts.

-- Climb The Tower lets users experience the engaging flash trailer over and over again.

Other features in the website include a sneak preview of a chapter from "The Seventh Tower #1: The Fall" and background information about the author and the series.

"The Seventh Tower" is a new fantasy book series for readers ages 8 to 12. Written by Garth Nix, "The Seventh Tower" is a tale of a mountaintop fortress where light is the ultimate commodity and isolation from the outside world is complete. One day, Tal, the main character, tries to steal a precious Sunstone, the only way of assuring his family's position among the Chosen people of The Seventh Tower. His desperate attempt fails, and Tal falls from the castle... straight into a world of mystery.

Garth Nix is an acclaimed writer for children and young adults. His novel "Sabriel" was an ALA Notable Book. "Shade's Children," was named a 1998 Best Book for Young Adults (ALA) and a "Pick of the Lists" (ABA). A resident of Australia, he was the winner of the Aurealis Award for Excellence in Australian Science Fiction. "The Seventh Tower" is Garth Nix's first book series.

LucasBooks is the publishing imprint of Lucasfilm Ltd. Drawing upon Lucasfilm's rich creative culture, LucasBooks appeals to readers of all ages with books, comics, and magazines based on perennials such as "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" as well as newly developed fiction and non-fiction material.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the leading film and entertainment companies in the world. Lucasfilm's businesses include George Lucas' film and television production and distribution activities as well as the business activities of the THX Group. Lucasfilm's feature films have won 17 Oscars and received 56 Academy Award nominations, and its television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards.