Piccadilly Press has successfully acquired two middle-grade novels by Maisie Chan, who has previously won the Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize 2022 and Branford Boase Award 2022.
The first title, Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past is a compelling story that follows Nate who attains an unlikely friendship with the ghost of a Chinese soldier from World War I who helps Nate to embrace his own Chinese roots. The heartwarming intergenerational tale with an unusual twist publishes on 12th June 2025.
Commissioning editor, Georgia Murray who bought the UK & Commonwealth rights shared that the novel is an “unforgettable story, full of humour and compassion, friendship and family, both an enigmatic mystery and one boy’s journey of self-discovery”.
Director of Children’s & YA, Chloe Seager said Maisie “has outdone herself with her latest book, that also brings an often-overlooked part of history to life.”
Maisie added that the story which follows a “transracial adopted boy” is “a story close to my heart” and about “finding your place in the world”.
Originally from Birmingham and now based in Glasgow, Maisie is best known for her award-winning book, Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths. She has also written several other children’s books including Keep Dancing, Lizzie Chu, the Tiger Warrior series and a contributing author to The Murder Club anthologies.
We cannot wait for Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past to hit the shelves this June 2025! Read the full article here.
