Huge congratulations to Julie Pike who has seen her sizzling magical adventure novel for 9-12s – Flame Chasers burn its way through the competition to land in The Times Best Children’s Books of 2024 list.
Julie, who hails from a Neath council estate, has carried out many events with the town’s schools and libraries with Flame Chasers, and is delighted with the accolade for her second children’s novel, and the first with Wales-based Firefly Press.
Published in June 24, Flame Chasers is described as, “an exquisite story that burns brightly,” by Times children’s reviewer Lucy Bannerman who also made it a Times Children’s Book of the Week on publication.
‘It sizzles with imagination,’ she says. ‘Impossible Creatures was the hit that everyone was chasing last year, but this magical adventure feels like a sparky younger sibling to Katherine Rundell’s bestseller.”
Flame Chasers tells the story of Ember, whose only wish is to fly with the golden flamebirds who stop every year at her hometown of Bright Beacon before heading west across the seas to their mysterious home. Their fiery arrival is also the signal for the waiting flame chasers in the harbour below to get ready to follow the birds, whose glowing tail feathers grant the finder a wish for their heart’s desire. But wishes have consequences… and when Ember’s father is lost at sea on the flame chase, she must find a ship that will set sail with her to find him.
Firefly publisher Penny Thomas said: ‘Flame Chasers is a superb, magical, middle-grade title, swirling with rich colours, wish-magic, mysterious golden flamebirds and daring deeds on the high seas. It’s a thrilling adventure that doesn’t leave out hot chocolate and heart-warming moments. We’re so delighted for Julie that this sparking adventure has been recognised in this way!’