BBC News Online: Entertainment

Britney's novel debut

The novel is to be called A Mother's Gift and is Spears' second foray into the literary world as she wrote her autobiography at the age of 18.

"The manuscript is finished and will come out here and in America in May," a spokeswoman for Spears' publisher Boxtree said.

"I think it will be sweet.

"It's the kind of novel that mothers will buy for their teenage daughters or Britney's fans will lap up."

The book is about a teenage girl who wants to be a star. The US rights were bought by Random House in December.

Packed schedule

It has been a busy year for Spears so far.

The teenager produced this novel between hosting the American Music Awards, signing the biggest ever entertainment sponsorship deal with Pepsi, playing the Rock in Rio festival, recording a new album and landing a feature film role.

Born in 1981, the singer of Oops!...I Did It Again and Baby One More Time rose to fame at the end of 1998.

Her debut album and single went on to top the American charts at the start of 1999, followed by similar success in the UK and Europe.