The Sleeping Stones, written by Beatrice Wallbank and edited by Janet Thomas and Rebecca F. John, and Digging for Victory, written by Cathy Faulkner and edited by Leonie Lock have both been longlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase Award 2024.
The Branford Boase Award is awarded annually for an outstanding first novel to a first-time writer of a book for young people. At the same time, it marks the important contribution of the editor in identifying and nurturing new talent.
The Sleeping Stones
Gruff and his new friend Matylda live on a small island off the Welsh coast, where legends are beginning to stir. Islanders find themselves irresistibly drawn to the Sleeping Stones, a line of rocks like stepping stones out to sea, and Gruff and Mat soon realise they must risk everything to save each other and their community from a terrifying storm driven by an ancient, magic anger.
“A gripping and magical tale of friendship and belonging, deeply rooted in the landscape and myths of a tiny Welsh island. Stones that call to the unwary, ferocious seas, ancient half-forgotten tales – this has all the ingredients of my favourite kind of story.” Tamsin Mori
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Digging for Victory
Set in Devon in 1941, Digging for Victory tells the story of twelve-year-old Bonnie Roberts who is desperate to play a valuable part in the war effort. For her, tending the family vegetable patch just doesn’t cut it; she wants to be a hero like her RAF pilot brother, Ralph.
But when the mysterious Mr Fisher is billeted at her farmhouse, and Ralph is reported missing in action, she starts to question what heroism actually involves. And as Bonnie attempts to find out who Mr Fisher really is, she embarks on a life-changing and emotional voyage of discovery.
“Adventure-filled with beautiful verse and a very satisfying ending. Perfect for middle grade readers.” Lucy Cuthew
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in Flame Chasersa swashbuckling magical adventure for 8-12 year olds by Julie Pike, from Jo Williamson at Antony Harwood Literary Agency.
All Ember wants 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. But when Pa tells Ember he is chasing without her, she is devastated. Can she find a ship and captain to help her find her father, and the flamebirds’ secret home?
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, character-led adventure that doesn’t leave out hot chocolate and heart-warming moments. With a terrific cover from David Dean, we can’t wait to publish this thrilling title from Julie Pike.’
Julie Pike said: ‘Diolch yn fawr, Firefly, for warmly welcoming me to your aviary of talented authors and their wonderful stories. Flame Chasers was inspired by my own real-life adventures and treasured stories from my childhood. I hope it flies high in the hearts of every young reader who yearns for adventure.’
Jo Williamson said: ‘From the outset, I was bowled over by Penny’s enthusiasm and vision for Flame Chasers, and it was obvious to me that Firefly would provide the perfect home for Julie’s writing.’
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights to Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblinsa thoroughly modern collection of myths and legends for 8-12 year olds by Claire Fayers, from Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency UK.
These are a mix of giant, ghost and goblin stories from all parts of Wales, collected, retold and reimagined by Claire Fayers, with the character of Idris the giant weaving through the book as he collects stories on his adventure. Some stories now have modern settings, some mythological creatures have been used in new tales by Claire but there are also representations of classic folk tales as seen through her own, idiosyncratic lens.
On Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins, Firefly publisher Penny Thomas said: Claire has a talent for bringing to life the old tales, set in places we can still all visit today. Funny, scary and magical, this is a terrific new collection we are hugely looking forward to publishing next summer.
Claire Fayers said: ‘I’m delighted to be working with the talented Firefly team again on this new folktale inspired collection. I’ve had great fun hunting down and adapting these stories and I can’t wait to share them with everyone.’
The book is slated for publication in August 2024.
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Michael the Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog for7–9-year-olds by Terrie Chilvers, from Amber Caravéo at Skylark Literary Ltd.
The first book Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog(Firefly, June 23) has already seen Michael confirmed as a star in the making as he has been selected as the first-ever title in the new Blue Peter Book Club, airing this week (Friday 27th October).
Following on from his successful search for stardom in book one, Michael is ready to take Hollywoof by storm once again. But being a su-paw-star isn’t working out quite like Michael planned. So, when Susan the chocolate Labrador gets dognapped, Michael jumps at the chance to wow his fans by becoming, not just a mind-reading sausage dog, but a detective mastermind as well…
Firefly Editor, Hayley Fairhead said: ‘It is no surprise that Michael the Amazing Mind-Reading Sausage Dog was selected for the Blue Peter Book Club and I’m certain this new title from Terrie will delight readers just as much. You can’t help but have a smile on your face and a chuckle ready to bubble to the surface when reading about Michael.’
Terrie Chilvers said: ‘I’m so excited that Michael and Stanley Big Dog get to go on another adventure! And I can’t wait to work with Firefly Press and Tim Budgen again – the most pawfect team!’
Tim Budgen said: ‘I’m delighted to bring to life the continuing adventures of Michael and Stanley Big Dog. They are fantastic characters to illustrate, and I can’t wait to see what they get up to in this second book!’
And Amber Caravéo of Skylark Literary said: ‘I couldn’t be more delighted that Michael – superstar that he is! – is getting a second book. Terrie has done an amazing job of creating Michael and his world, and Firefly and Tim Budgen have done an equally amazing job of bringing it all to life. It’s a match made in heaven!’
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World English Language rights to YA romantasy This Dark Heartby debut author Zeena Gosrani, from Gemma Cooper and Zoë Plant at The Bent Agency UK Ltd.
In a world where the shadow-like ‘daayan’ stalk the night, the mages of Agraal are the only ones able to defend the realm. So, when Princess Thiya discovers she has the powers of a healing mage, her royal destiny is no longer certain and a precarious existence on the frontline fighting against the daayan might be impossible to avoid. That is until the love of her life, Amara, is taken hostage by earth mage Isaac in order to lure Thiya and her extraordinary power from the palace.
Together with fire mage Kaayan and her brother Lochan, Thiya must make a perilous journey to rescue Amara. But not everything is what it seems and the powers at work behind Amara’s abduction might come from the darkest heart of them all.
A poignant, moving love story set in a rich and vivid world inspired by Indian folk tales.
Firefly Editor, Hayley Fairhead said: ‘The relationship between Thiya and Amara is beautifully drawn and the colourful land of Agraal is a stunning backdrop for this extraordinary love story. I can’t wait for readers to be swept away in this magical world of mages and daayan.’
And Zeena Gosrani added: ‘I’ve had so much fun weaving together parts of my culture and identity to create a world where Thiya and Amara could come alive. Thiya is a character that is dear to my heart and I hope readers love her as much as I do.’
The novel is slated for publication in October 2024.
