Firefly to publish Jennifer Killick

Welsh publisher Firefly Press has acquired a middle-grade children’s book by debut author Jennifer Killick.

Alex Sparrow and the Really Big Stink is a comedy adventure mystery about a boy who is a human lie detector. Along with Jess, who can communicate with animals, he has to find out why their friends have mysteriously changed into polite school pupils.

Publisher Penny Thomas acquired the UK and British Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) from Kirsty McLachlan of David Godwin Associates. Publishing date is yet to be announced.

Janet Thomas, editor at Firefly, said: “I love the non-stop mix of comedy and adventure Jennifer has managed to create in this brilliant story, a book that is laugh-out-loud funny and page-turning, daft and thrilling, with loveable heroes, memorable villains and a truly unforgettable goldfish. It’s wonderful and I can’t wait to see it in readers’ hands.”