HarperCollins Children’s bags debut author Noakes’ historical heist series

HarperCollins Children’s has signed Cosima Unfortunate, a historical heist series by debut author Laura Noakes.

Publishing director Michelle Misra acquired world all language rights at auction to two books from Lydia Silver at the Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency. HarperCollins will also publish the series in Germany as part of its global publishing programme.

The first book, Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star, will publish in paperback in June 2023, with a follow-up scheduled for June 2024. Both titles will be accompanied by an “unmissable” marketing and PR campaign. 

The publisher synopsis reads: "Kensington, 1899. Cosima Unfortunate has spent all her life at the Home for Unfortunate Girls – a school where any disabled children, or children deemed different, are sent, whether their families want it or not. It is there that she meets her friends – Pearl, Mary and Diya – and they start to practise mini-heists involving the theft of cakes, biscuits and other sweet goodies.

"But when Cos finds out that Lord Francis Fitzroy, the explorer behind the Empire Exhibition, is planning to adopt them, she and her friends plot the biggest heist of their life. Instead of fondant fancies, they’re going to steal the legendary Star Diamond of India. As they start preparing for the day, Cosima finds herself drawing ever closer to discovering the one secret she’s always wanted to know – the truth about her parents…"

Misra said: “I’m so excited that Laura has chosen HarperCollins Children’s Books as the home for her middle-grade debut. To have such a joyous representation of disability, from such an authentic voice, land on my desk was the highlight of my week. No, delete that – my year! At its heart lies a heist (and who doesn’t love a heist) but this book is so much more – baddies are outwitted, plans come together and ever-lasting friendships are formed among the most brilliant gang of girls – underestimate them at your peril.”

Noakes added: “I am over the moon to work with the amazing HarperCollins team to bring Cosima’s daring caper to readers next year. I was immediately bowled over by their enthusiasm for my story and their fabulous ideas to make Cos’ star shine even more. I am indebted to my incredible agent, Lydia Silver, and the whole Darley Anderson team for all their hard work in getting my debut submission ready.”

Laura Noakes is a disabled writer and historian from Bedfordshire. She has written articles for Disability in Kidlit and Kettle Mag and her poetry has been published in Scrittura magazine. She works in a museum.