News

Posted on 22nd January, 2026

Inkbound longlisted for the 2026 Branford Boase Award

Set up in memory of award-winning author Henrietta Branford and her editor Wendy Boase, one of the founders of Walker Books, the Branford Boase Award is given annually to the author and editor of the year’s outstanding debut novel for children. We’re delighted to see Philippa Leathley’s Inkbound: Meticulous Jones …

Posted on 15th January, 2026

HarperCollins Children’s Books signs three new novels by Philippa Leathley

HarperCollins Children’s Books has acquired ‘the epic final book in the magical Inkbound trilogy’ alongside two books for a new series from Philippa Leathley – The Starsea Mysteries. The first book in the Inkbound series was chosen as a Children’s Book of the Week by The Times and shortlisted for …

Posted on 8th January, 2026

Inkbound shortlisted for the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Awards

The ‘must-read’ children’s books of the year have been announced – with Philippa Leathey’s Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo, shortlisted in the KS3 category. The James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Awards aim to inspire young people to read more by introducing them to new writers and titles. Pupils from schools …

Posted on 6th January, 2026

The Times reviews The Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson

We’re so excited to see Liam Higginson’s novel, The Hill in the Dark Grove, brilliantly reviewed in this weekend’s The Times. Susie Mesure describes this gloriously creepy book as an ‘impressive debut… steeped in history and spirits’, written in ‘well constructed and exacting’ prose. Though, she does add that you …

Posted on 16th December, 2025

Two HS-LA titles longlisted for the Spark Book Awards!

We’re absolutely delighted that two HS-LA titles have been longlisted for the Spark Book Awards – a unique award where the children vote on their favourite books and decide the winners! Jim Beckett has been longlisted for Buzz Sausage Wolf in the 7+ Fiction category and Philippa Leathley for Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and …

Posted on 2nd December, 2025

Harper Fire triumphs in four-way auction for Rosie Hopes’ debut

Harper Fire has triumphed in a “fiercely competitive” four-way auction for Rosie Hopes’ debut The Age of Wings in a three-book deal. The Rivening trilogy will be an absolute treat for YA readers who adore “gorgeous, immersive storytelling”. The first book will be published in March 2027, with the second and …

Posted on 28th October, 2025

Guardian review for GLADIATOR, GODDESS

‘A bold, bloody, riotous sapphic romantasy’ Wonderful to see GLADIATOR, GODDESS by Morgan Owen featured in the Guardian’s children’s books round up on Saturday 24th October. Read the full selection here.

Posted on 25th September, 2025

THE HILL IN THE DARK GROVE – cover reveal!

Carwyn and Rhian – the last in a long line of sheep farmers – are living out a brutal year on their hillside farm, deep in the mountains of Eryri, North Wales. When Carwyn discovers a buried prehistoric ruin in one of the fields on their land, his curiosity quickly …

Posted on 23rd September, 2025

HarperCollins Children’s Books to publish The Kingdom of Tigers

We’ve got some roarsome news today… HarperCollins Children’s Books will publish The Kingdom of Tigers, a picture book debut by author Felicity Yeoh and illustrator Megan Snyders on 2 July 2026, just in time for International Tiger Day on 29 July 2026. The author’s aunt, award-winning actress and UN Goodwill …