Pushkin lands Moloney's 'truly special' middle-grade debut

Pushkin Press has scooped debut middle-grade novel The Mystery of the Missing Mum by Frances Moloney. 

Sarah Odedina, editor-at-large at Pushkin Children’s Books, bought world rights directly from the author.

The Mystery of the Missing Mum is a "moving and hugely entertaining" middle-grade debut that sensitively handles the way in which one family deals with issues around mental health, aimed at fans of Onjali Raúf and Lisa Thompson.

Odedina said: "It is an editor’s perfect conversation when someone says ‘I am writing a book, can I send it to you?’. It is extra exciting when that conversation is with someone as special as Frances Moloney. When she did send me the first draft of The Mystery of the Missing Mum I knew that it was the best of all possible worlds – an original idea told in a truly special voice with such heart, energy and humour. This is a wonderful debut novel by someone who I know will really make her mark in the world of children’s literature."

Moloney said: ‘I am delighted to be working with Sarah and the wonderful team at Pushkin Children’s. Jake’s story could not be in safer hands and I’m looking forward to introducing his adventures to young readers everywhere. I wanted to create a nuanced and realistic picture of what it’s like to grow up with a parental figure who has a mental health condition and I hope The Mystery of the Missing Mum will help bring awareness to this often misunderstood but vitally important topic."

Pushkin Children’s Books will publish the book in paperback original on 4th August.