Puffin signs trio of 'future classics' from Hills, Hawking and Newbery

Puffin has signed a trio of “future classics” with a children's debut by “The Last Leg” presenter Adam Hills, the first in a new Lucy Hawking series, and a book from fresh talent Lee Newbery.

Rockstar Detectives by Hills (pictured) is a “fabulously funny” debut middle-grade fiction from the comedian. Combining music and mystery, Rockstar Detectives stars a young mystery-solving dream team on a mission to clear their names and save their careers.

World rights for two books were acquired by Natalie Doherty, Puffin editorial director, from Joe Norris and Rich McCann at Off the Kerb. Rockstar Detectives will publish in paperback, audio and e-book in February 2022.

The synopsis explains: “When a priceless painting goes missing, best friends Charley and George are the prime suspects. All of a sudden, Charley, a 12-year-old viral singing sensation, and her best friend George, camera whizz and budding comedian, are in seriously hot water. Now Charley and George have to keep up with their school work, nail a stellar European tour and prove they’re not international criminals. As news of high-profile heists hit the headlines wherever they go, Charley and George are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Can they solve the mystery or will their shot for stardom be over almost as soon as it has begun?”

Meanwhile, Princess Olivia Investigates: The Wrong Weather by Hawking, is billed as “the perfect next read for aspiring scientists who loved Ada Twist Scientist”. It is the first title in a brand new middle-grade series by Hawking, starring feisty young Olivia who is determined to save her city from climate disaster.

World rights for two books were acquired by Ruth Knowles, publisher, and Emma Jones, commissioning editor, from Rebecca Carter at Janklow & Nesbit. It will publish in paperback, audio and e-book in early 2022.

The synopsis states: “Olivia Alez is delighted about finally living a life away from the royal palace in the mountains that used to be her home, after the Kingdom of Alez decides it doesn't want a royal family any more. Now she can finally give up boring princess lessons and learn about real things, like volcanoes and the ocean and space! But Olivia is completely unprepared for the world that awaits her. Thick, dark clouds hang low over the city, and the rivers that she so longed to see are choked with rubbish. And on top of it all, the weather just feels wrong. With scorching hot sun one day and torrential rainfall the next, it seems nearly impossible for the people and animals in Alez to adapt to their extreme climate. Olivia, horrified by what she sees, becomes determined to get to the bottom of Alez's dangerous weather patterns. With the help of some new friends and armed with a scientific lab coat that would make Albert Einstein jealous, Olivia sets out to solve the mystery and save Alez from climate destruction before it's too late...”

The third acquisition is The Last Firefox by Newbery, described as a blend of family classic “ET” and perennial children’s favourite Pokémon. Puffin described it as "an exciting and inclusive middle-grade story about family, loyalty and finding your inner fire".

World rights for two books were acquired by Ben Horslen, fiction publisher, from Amber Caraveo at Skylark Literary. It will publish in paperback, audio and ebook in spring 2022 with illustrations by Laura Catalán.

The publisher explained: “Charlie Challinor’s life is a bit scary. Between bullies at school and big changes at home, every day brings a new challenge, and Charlie’s not sure he’s got enough bravery to face them on his own. But when a mysterious boy leaves him in charge of a mischievous cub called Cadno, everything changes. Because Cadno is no ordinary fox, he’s a firefox – and something sinister is on his trail. As a giant black hound starts sniffing round his home town, Charlie realises only he can protect the last firefox. And that maybe he’s brave enough to do that after all...”

The books were revealed to an audience of international publishers and scouts during a spring fiction highlights presentation this week, which also featured appearances from Greg James, Chris Smith, Jenny Pearson, Sam Copeland, Femi Fadugba, Beth Lincoln, Paul Howard, Lisette Auton and Tamzin Merchant.

Alice Grigg, head of rights sales, said: “The Penguin Random House rights team could not be more excited about the new fiction we are launching this spring. From already widely-translated authors such as Lucy Hawking, to a fabulously funny first foray into middle-grade fiction from comedian Adam Hills, to a knock-your-socks off debut from Lee Newbery (featuring about the cutest firefox cub we’ve ever had the privilege of selling), our international fiction event had something for everyone.”