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Barrington Stoke swoops for 'poetic' novella from Balen
Barrington Stoke has swooped for Nightjar, a novella by Yoto Carnegie Medal winner Katya Balen, illustrated by Richard Johnson.
Ailsa Bathgate, publisher, acquired world rights from Catherine Clarke at Felicity Bryan Associates. The book will be published in June in Barrington Stoke’s "super-readable" format for readers aged nine and over.
The synopsis reads: "When Noah’s dad visits from New York, he and Noah come across an injured nightjar during a walk in the countryside. Noah is determined to save the bird but his dad believes they should leave it alone to let nature take its course. As father and son argue, it becomes clear that Noah is angry about more than just the bird. He feels abandoned and misunderstood by his dad, who has moved to the US and started a new family there that doesn’t seem to have room for Noah. Can they find a way to build a new relationship and rediscover the common ground between them?"
The novella is a standalone story but sees the return of Noah, who featured in Balen’s first Barrington Stoke title Birdsong, nominated for the 2023 Carnegie Medal for Writing.
Balen said: "Writing for Barrington Stoke is a dream come true—they publish such beautiful, high-quality fiction. The fact that it’s accessible to all is never a compromise and it’s just been joyous to be able to write for them again. I love writing sensitive, thoughtful, caring boys and I hope readers enjoy Noah’s story.”
Bathgate said: "I was captivated by Noah when he appeared in Birdsong and therefore delighted when Katya wanted to explore him further as the main character here in Nightjar, allowing us more insight into this wonderfully unique and sensitive boy. Katya writes so beautifully about relationships and nature and this story, with family at its heart, shows how healing can happen when people really listen to each other and try to understand, rather than judge another’s actions. Her perceptive and poetic writing is a hugely important addition to the Barrington Stoke list.”
