Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in non-fiction title Fantastic Football, the second instalment in the Stupendous Sports series by author Robin Bennett, from Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary.
Full of facts, funny stories, and crazy cartoons by Matt Cherry, the series aims to do for PE what Horrible Histories did for Friday afternoon history lessons.
Hilarious (hopefully), irreverent (probably), but factually correct (obviously), this action-packed book is about the spirit of the beautiful game as much as the rules. Covering the history of football, the future of the game including the rise in women’s football and the continuing importance of diversity, Fantastic Football also features a practical section on player positions, skills and tricks.
Illustrations by Matt Cherry Design by Becka Moor
‘Football is a hugely loved sport, and this fun and factual guide for primary school readers is a terrific second title in Firefly’s innovative Stupendous Sports series, coming as it does, ahead of the 2022 World Cup’ said Firefly Publisher Penny Thomas. ‘And cartoons are definitely the best way to explain the offside rule as far as I can see!’
Robin Bennett said: ‘Fantastic Football was brilliant to write. It’s aimed not just at young players but readers who want something fun and funny to dip into and, like the game itself, to share with friends. Fantastic Football is a team read!’
The book is slated for publication in early autumn 2022, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in November.
Huge congratulations to Luke Palmer, whose hard-hitting YA debut Grow has been longlisted for the 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal!
Grow has also been longlisted for the 2022 Branford Boase Award and was featured on the Sunday Times 2021 Books of the year list.
Publisher and editor Penny Thomas said: ‘We’re so delighted to see Luke’s debut novel longlisted for both these prestigious awards this month. Grow is a brave, timely novel and a great read, raising difficult issues with honesty. It also marks Luke’s arrival as a YA writer and a talent to watch for the future.’
Janet Thomas, Editor at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired world English rights in Libby and the Highland Heist, the second installment in The Travelling School Mysteries by author Jo Clarke, from Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary.
After a tumultuous term in Paris, Libby and Connie are looking forward to a quiet holiday at Connie’s family home. But before long they find themselves caught up in another mystery, this time set against the dramatic backdrop of the Highlands and Edinburgh.
‘We are so thrilled to be publishing Libby’s second adventure,’ said editor Janet Thomas. ‘With snowy Highland mansions, the beauties of Edinburgh, forged paintings, secret passageways and the best of friendships, Jo’s readers are going to absolutely love it, especially combined with Becka Moor’s superb illustrations.’
Author Jo Clarke
Jo Clarke said: ‘Working with Firefly Press on my debut, Libby and the Parisian Puzzle, has been an absolute joy, so I am delighted to be following on with the next instalment in The Travelling School Mysteries. I have had so much fun writing an elaborate heist story for book two and can’t wait to collaborate with Becka Moor again. Her illustrations are wonderful and bring the story to life perfectly.’
The novel is slated for publication in spring 2023.
Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in historical MG novel Honesty and Lies by former Children’s Laureate Wales Eloise Williams, from Kate Shaw at The Shaw Agency. The news was announced live during Firefly’s first Bookseller Preview Evening last night.
Winter in London, 1601. In a city where fortunes can rise or fall in a moment, Honesty and Lies is the tale of Alice and Honesty, two 13-year-old maids serving in Elizabeth I’s court. Both are trying to survive as storytellers in their own way – one wanting attention as a performer and one trying to pass unnoticed as a spy. In such a precarious world and with assassination attempts being planned behind closed doors, their friendship will put both their lives in danger.
‘Eloise has an amazing gift for creating characters MG readers will bond with and love. I love how accessible and ambitious her writing is. Her fantastic new book brings Elizabeth I’s court to life through two teenage maids, who both have to survive in a treacherous world with no family to protect them.’ said editor Janet Thomas. ‘The way they go from strangers to friends is unforgettable. I’m so excited we’re publishing Eloise again with this extraordinary story.’
Eloise Williams said: ‘I am delighted to be publishing another book with Firefly. My huge thanks to Janet Thomas and Kate Shaw for their cheerleading, expertise and belief in Honesty and Alice. I can’t wait for readers, young and old, to walk into this Elizabethan world.’
The novel is slated for publication in autumn 2022.
Maggie Horne, author of Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One
Leonie Lock, Editor at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth rights in Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne from Hannah Schofield at LBA, on behalf of Clare Friedman at InkWell Management.
‘Hazel Hill is a book that had me on tenterhooks until the very end, where I squealed with excitement and then started rereading immediately,’ says Leonie. ‘It’s a story about prejudice, harassment, injustice and spite. But, more than this, it’s a tale of hope, identity, empowerment, feminism and quashing gender norms. I hope you love it as much as I do.’
‘I’ll stop listening in ten seconds,’ I say. ‘Starting now.’ ‘Fine,’ he says. He looks around one more time to see if anyone might overhear us, andthen pauses again. ‘Ella Quinn … has a crush on you.’
Girls in Hazel’s school are being harassed by an anonymous person online, someone who seems to know all about their insecurities and dreams. With no one willing to stand up and face the bully, how will Hazel be able to prove her suspicions?
Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One confronts bullying, both online and in person, to give children the power to stand up for themselves and speak out against harassment.
Hannah Schofield said, ‘I am delighted that Leonie and the Firefly team fell in love with Hazel as much as I did, and I’m so excited about their publication plans. HAZEL HILL IS GONNA WIN THIS ONE is a vital book and will show young readers, especially girls, that their voices are important and deserve to be heard. It’s been an honour to be part of its journey to the UK!’
‘This story is deeply personal and so close to my heart, so to have the team at Firefly love it as much as I do is a dream come true. I’m so thrilled that Hazel will find her way to readers in the UK.’ said Maggie Horne.
The novel is slated for publication in October 2022. PRE-ORDER HERE
With the holiday season nearly upon us, we first of all want to thank you all for supporting books, authors and publishers year-round.
Before we all bury ourselves in mince pies and hot chocolate (with all the toppings) we wanted to share with you a brief reminder of our latest reviewed titles and a sneak peek at what’s coming in spring 2022!
The Song that Sings Us (12+)
An epic ecological adventure by Nicola Davies.
‘A passionate adventure, full of incident, intrigue, wildness and rage, which is timely in the aftermath of Cop26. Jackie Morris’s cover makes it also a thing of beauty.’ – Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Best Children’s Books of 2021
‘This is storytelling on the most poetic scale – strange, bloody, grand and unforgettable.’ – Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian
‘Fast-paced, lyrical and utterly convinced of an electromagnetic unity that runs through all living things.’ – Kitty Empire, The Observer
Gift hardback with sprayed edges collecting spooky tales for 9-12+ by author Catherine Gift hardback with sprayed edges and stunning illustrations collecting spooky tales for 9-12+ by author Catherine Fisher.
‘Fisher gauges the chills just right, staying within the delicious-frisson zone and stopping short of anything that might cause nightmares. As in the best supernatural stories, there’s always a clever, embedded metaphor for those who care to look.’ – James Lovegrove, Financial Times Best books of 2021: Children’s books
‘Catherine Fisher has carved out a special niche with her Welsh magic and folklore novels, but here she takes a darker step into the spiritual world with a collection of short stories to chill the bones of older children… If you haven’t discovered Fisher’s novels yet, this is a great introduction to her vivid imagination.’ – Sally Morris, The Daily Mail
‘Wishes, curses and ghosts make this a spellbinding collection.’ – Philip Womack, Literary Review
A heart-wrenching teenage romance with a paranormal twist by Josie Williams.
This is a teenage romance with a difference. If you’ve ever wondered what might happen when you die, then this lovely YA novel offers an interesting and credible theory. A thought provoking and warm love story spanning the normal boundaries of the universe.’ – Anne Horemans, Books for Keeps
‘A heartbreaking love story with a ghostly twist; I fell in love with Ryder and Maggie and felt every longing glance and stolen touch. Just gorgeous.’ – Cynthia Murphy, author of Last One To Die
‘A poignant story about two teens dealing with loneliness and looking for a sense of connection. Moving and intense.’ – Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake
A hilarious madcap MG debut by TV writer Daniel Peak.
‘A gloriously daft toddler odyssey, with an unforgettable protagonist, a bone-dry comic voice, and a memorable escape on a mobility scooter.’ – Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian Best new picture books and novels
‘This hilarious tale features wacky characters, a madcap plot and plenty of ominous twists and turns, not to mention an audacious escape on a mobility scooter. A highly entertaining, laugh-out-loud book, which is sure to be thoroughly enjoyed by middle grade readers.’ – BookTrust
‘Little Horror is genuinely gripping and evokes grown-up thrillers like The Bourne Identity or The Fugitive. The villain is just scary enough to have children’s toes curling, and Rita’s voice is strong enough to maintain the narrative throughout… despite only having two years’ worth of experiences to draw upon! She’s much more than just a Little Horror and so is this debut novel.’ – Stuart Dyer, Books for Keeps
‘A story of loss and loneliness, and finding new friends and hope in the bleak of winter – and of wild things that change everything. I loved it!’ – Amy Wilson, author of A Girl Called Owl, A Far Away Magic and Snowglobe
‘An emotive, heart-warming tale of friendship, courage and conservation. I loved it.’ – Hannah Gold
‘A perfect wintery Christmasy read. But it also is a wonderfully thoughtful and quietly mindshifting novel dealing with isues of grief, but also dipping its toe into the debate for rewilding lynx into the UK, something that is most cleverly and sensitively approached.’ – Lily and the Fae
Nominated for the 2022 CILIP Carnegie medal. Featured on the Sunday Times 2021 Books of the year list.
‘As Melvin Burgess’s Junk was to the dangers of drugs, this cautionary young adult novel is to the threat of radicalisation.’ – Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
‘This unsettling yet compelling debut deserves a place on many bookshelves.’ – Claire Hennessy, The Irish Times
‘This book broke my heart and challenged me in so many ways!’ – Ashling Brown, AshsWorldOfBooks
