Walker Books snaps up 'brutally funny' middle-grade series from Ness and Miller

Walker Books has snapped up a new middle-grade series from Patrick Ness with black and white illustrations from Tim Miller.

Denise Johnstone Burt, Ness’ long term editor, and Susan Van Metre, executive editorial director at Candlewick, acquired world English language rights and Chinese language rights for two books from Michelle Kass at MK Associates. Illustration rights were acquired from Steven Malk at Writers House. The first book in the deal, Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody, will be published in summer 2024 with Walker Books UK, Candlewick and Walker Books Australia.

"These are school stories as only Patrick Ness could write them, full of the terror and humour of being forced to spend your waking life in proximity to folks whose only sure bond with you is a shared age level," said Van Metre. "Brilliant and brutally funny.”

The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is described as a "hilarious adventure about a mismatched group of animals attending school together".

The synopsis continues: "Zeke and Daniel have just been made hall monitors by Principal Wombat. This has nothing to do with the fact that they are monitor lizards. And never mind the fact that Alicia, the only other monitor lizard in the school, is also a hall monitor.

"Somehow, the three hall monitors must impose order on arrogant lions, excitable seals and super-relaxed pandas. And worst of all, there is Pelicarnassus! A bullying giant pelican and the son of a major supervillain, who inexplicably has it in for the lizards. Can Zeke and his friends along with Miel, a blind, fearsome red-tailed hawk, protect their school from all manner of outlandish threats?"

Ness commented: "I’m always driven by story, story, story. I didn’t plan to write a middle grade book, but for 10 years I couldn’t get these sweet little weirdos out of my head. One day, it all came together, and it was a joy to follow where all the surprises unfolded. I always believe you go where the story leads, and this one led to chaos and joy for me. I hope it does for the reader, too."

Johnstone Burt added: "I have worked with Patrick for many years and his astonishing facility for storytelling never ceases to amaze me. The intensely funny, imaginative middle-grade world he has created in this exciting departure is pure joy and I laughed and cried by turns at the humour and pathos of it all. These stories are pure Patrick Ness."