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Hachette Children's signs 'beautiful' non-binary middle-grade standalone from Lapinski
Hachette Children’s has signed Jamie, an "uplifting" non-binary coming of age novel from L D Lapinski.
Senior commissioning editor Lena McCauley acquired world rights from Claire Wilson at RCW. The novel will be published in paperback in April 2023.
Lapinski has previously written the Strangeworlds trilogy (Hachette Children’s), the most successful middle-grade debut series published in lockdown, according to the publisher. Cover illustrations are by Harry Woodgate, the author and illustrator of Grandad’s Camper (Andersen Press), winner of Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Best Illustrated Book 2022.
Jamie is a standalone novel set in contemporary England which shares themes of bravery, acceptance and chosen family present in the Strangeworlds series.
The synopsis reads: "Jamie Rambeau is a happy 11-year-old non-binary kid who likes nothing better than hanging out with their two best friends, Daisy and Ash. But when the trio find out that in Year Seven they will be separated into one school for boys and another for girls, their friendship suddenly seems at risk. And when Jamie realises that neither school has space for them, they decide to take matters into their own hands..."
"As the friends’ efforts to raise awareness eventually become a rooftop protest, Jamie realises that they’re going to end up having to choose between Daisy and Ash – and if they don’t figure out a way forwards, they might be at risk of losing them both…"
The novel will also provide an accessible introduction into what being non-binary means, with definitions provided in Jamie’s narrative voice after certain chapters, explaining terms associated with being LGBTQ+.
"To have moved so seamlessly from the magical fantasy of Strangeworlds to this contemporary story about a non-binary kid facing a binary school choice shows L D’s immense talent as a writer," said McCauley. "This is a heart-warming story that – like Strangeworlds – is full of joyful LGBTQ+ representation and shows that everyone just wants a place to be themselves. I’m very proud to be publishing it."
Lapinski added: "I am thrilled that Jamie has found a home with Hachette Children’s Group, and that their story of non-binary joy will be able to find readers. Jamie is the book I wish I had been able to find as a child, and bringing them to life was an exercise in both protest and pride. I can’t wait for everyone to meet Jamie and Daisy and Ash!"
