Puffin Lights Up for Lisette Auton’s third middle-grade novel

Puffin has acquired Lights Up, the third middle-grade adventure novel by Lisette Auton – an alumnus of Penguin’s WriteNow programme – with illustrations from Valentina Toro and Gillian Eilidh O’Mara.

Publisher Natalie Doherty acquired world rights for Lights Up from Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency, and the book will be edited by publishing director Ruth Knowles. Moreover, editorial director Linas Alsenas acquired world rights for a fourth novel by Auton, also from Hawn at the Bent Agency.

Lights Up will be published in paperback on 4th July 2024, and explores the importance of accessible spaces for young disabled people.

The synopsis reads: “Just like her favourite person in the whole world – her grandad – Hettie’s favourite place in the whole world – the Arts Centre – has gone. And Hettie can’t quite work out how she’s supposed to feel anything like how she did before. Many years before, Jack is feeling lonely, too. But his life changes when he’s taken in by a theatre troupe and learns the secrets of the mysterious people behind the acts. And many years before that, Araine has lost everything she loves. She wants revenge against the theatregoers who wronged her.

“If you’re feeling alone, it can be hard to see the light. So when powerful magic brings Hettie, Jack and Ariane together, can they let go of their pasts to imagine a brighter future? This is a magical story full of ghosts, theatre, love, friendship and family.”

Auton’s debut novel, The Secret of Haven Point (Puffin), was shortlisted for prizes including The Diverse Book Awards, The Week Junior Awards and The Little Rebel’s Awards.

She said: “I had a ludicrous amount of fun interweaving three timelines together, and I can’t wait for readers to meet Rex the ghost dog, and the girl with the best stationery – mobility scooter user Hettie Redwood – who needs to learn to leave the past behind if she wants to save everyone’s future, including the ghosts.”

Alsenas added: “Perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll and Sophie Anderson, this magical adventure winds its way across time, family and friendship in search of some way to put the ghosts of the past to rest. Lisette continues to dream up disabled characters who are complex, authentic heroes with big hearts, and her young fans will enjoy being led on a journey by her brilliant, wild imagination once again!”