Usborne has snapped up the wonderful middle-grade series, The Spectaculars, by debut author Jodie Garnish.
In an exciting pre-empt, commissioning editor Becky Walker acquired the series from Chloe Seager. The first title in the series will publish on 29th September in hardback featuring illustrations by Nathan Collins.
Becky Walker said: ‘Opening with a floating canoe and the crackling promise of adventure, The Spectaculars plunged me so very immediately into a world filled with magic, boundless imagination and the truly delicious spark of creativity – and I knew I would do anything to join this gloriously innovative, unconventional travelling theatre and its cast! We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jodie to the Usborne list – and can’t wait to welcome a whole generation of new apprentices to the Grand Wondria Music Hall and Theatre!’
Chloe Seager said: ‘Jodie is a hugely exciting new voice in middle-grade… Readers will find it impossible not to be swept up in the wondrous world she has created.’
Garnish who has previous experience working on productions for children as a performer and playwright said: ‘I’ve spent my life in theatres. To me, they have always been places of magic – making them the perfect inspiration for my debut novel The Spectaculars.’
Read on for an intriguing peep at the first book of the series…
When three figures turn up at 11-year-old Harper’s window in a flying canoe, informing her that she is due to start her apprenticeship, Harper discovers she is a Spectacular – a magical performer, gifted special powers from the stars,” the synopsis explains. “Within the walls of the Wondria, the Spectaculars’ starstuff-powered theatre, this group of magical travelling performers tour their wondrous acts. Suddenly, Harper finds herself in a world of starlight, music and friendship. That is, until a sinister creature from a children’s nursery rhyme plunges the Wondria into great danger.
And as Harper and her new best friend Trick unravel a mystery that will take them deep into the stars, Harper discovers she will do anything to save her extraordinary new home.
Huge congratulations, Jodie. We cannot wait to see this series publish!
