Barrington Stoke secures ‘joyful love letter to libraries’ by James

Barrington Stoke has landed Hetty and the Battle of the Books, a “heart-warming" new story from Anna James. 

Publisher Alisa Bathgate acquired world English language rights from Claire Watson of RCW. Hetty and the Battle of the Books will be published in Barrington Stoke’s "super-readable format" for readers aged eight and over on 7th July 2022 with black and white illustrations by Jez Tuya. 

The book “casts a much-needed spotlight on the positive impact of school librarires and what they represent for young people” against a backdrop of government cuts over recent years. 

For Hetty, the library is the best place in school, the synopsis explains. “Since falling out with her best friends Ali, Mei and Rocket she’s been spending even more time there. So she’s absolutely horrified when she learns that her head teacher is planning to close it down, claiming their aren’t enough funds to keep it going. There’s no way Hetty’s going to sit back and let this happen. But can she repair her broken friendships and build support for her library campaign. Let the Battle of the Books commence!” 

Previously a school librarian, James commented: “I’ve seen first hand the impact that Barrington Stoke’s books can have for young readers, so I was thrilled to be asked to write one of my own. Hetty and the Battle of the Books is rooted in my experiences working in school libraries and seeing the extraordinary work school librarians do. School libraries are vital and I loved writing this story about four children who have to work together to try and save theirs.” 

Bathgate added: “As a huge fan of Pages & Co. (HarperCollins) I was absolutely delighted when Anna said she would be keen to work with us at Barrington Stoke. A former school librarian, she completely understands our mission to open up the world of books to as many children as possible, and Hetty and the Battle of the Books is a love letter to libraries and school librarians, as well as a funny and touching exploration of the agonies of evolving friendships in the early years of secondary school. In Hetty we have a passionate, impulsive and incredibly endearing protagonist, and I am very excited to bring her story to our readers.”