HarperCollins Children’s Books has signed a three-book deal with Hollywood director, writer and producer Chris Columbus for his new series House of Secrets, which he will co-author with YA novelist Ned Vizzini. The first book set to arrive globally in spring 2013.

Alessandra Balzer, co-publisher of the Balzer + Bray imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Dorian Karchmar at William Morris Endeavor negotiated the deal and rights have currently been sold in 12 territories.

House of Secrets, a fantasy adventure series, follows three siblings and their family as they are forced to move to a mysterious new house in San Francisco and end up embarking on a journey to retrieve a dark book of untold power.

Columbus is best known for directing Home Alone, Home Alone 2, the first two Harry Potter films and more recently Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.