Bestselling author M. G. Leonard moves to Walker with solo middle-grade fiction
M. G. Leonard, internationally bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the Adventures on Trains series, has signed a two book deal for her own fiction with Walker Books. Executive Editorial Director Denise Johnstone-Burt acquired world rights for two books from Kirsty McLachlan at David Godwin Associates. The first book in the series, Twitch, will publish in June 2021 and is an exciting, mystery adventure about friendship, bravery and birds, as well as a celebration of the natural world. The second book in The Twitchers series will follow in Summer 2022.
Twitch is a twelve-year-old with three pet chickens, four pigeons, swallows nesting in his bedroom and a passion for bird-spotting. On the first day of summer holidays, he arrives at his secret bird-watching hide in the local nature reserve to find police everywhere: a convicted bank-robber and murderer has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Twitch soon finds himself entangled in the hunt for the dangerous prisoner. Can he turn his talents for bird-spotting to detective skills, and find the missing loot?
M. G. Leonard is an award-winning, bestselling writer of children’s books, as well as a founding member of Authors4Oceans. The Battle of the Beetles series (published with Chicken House) has been sold into 35 territories and won multiple awards as well as receiving widespread critical acclaim. Her debut, Beetle Boy, was chosen for the coveted Waterstones Book of the Month slot, as was the first book in her Adventures on Trains series (published by Pan Macmillan and co-written by Sam Sedgman). Before becoming a writer, M. G. Leonard worked as a digital media producer for the National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe. She is also a trained actor, dabbling in directing and producing as well as performing, and lives in Brighton with her husband and two sons.
Executive Editorial Director Denise Johnstone-Burt said: “I have admired Maya Leonard’s books for many years so the chance to offer her a home for her fiction at Walker was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. Her superb storytelling skills are on top form in Twitch. Fans of Beetle Boy will love this imaginative and exciting new story and all readers will be gripped by the adventures of Twitch and his birds, as he tries to track down a convict on the run.”
M. G. Leonard said: “So many of the books I admire, and love, are Walker books, which is why I am excited that together we will be bringing you the story of Twitch and his world of wonderful birds. My fascination with insects has spawned a love of birdwatching, and during lockdown, when I wrote this book, I found great comfort in bird-spotting walks with my binoculars and field guide. Twitch is a thrilling adventure inspired by my wonder at the genius and beauty of birds. It is about the power of friendship, and the endless rewards of having a relationship with the natural world.”
For more information please contact Rosi.Crawley@walker.co.uk
About Walker Books
Home to books for all ages, Walker Books publishes many award-winning authors, illustrators, and literary franchises including Anthony Horowitz, Angie Thomas, Cassandra Clare, Lucy Cousins, Anthony Browne, Patrick Ness, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, and Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford. Walker Books is part of the vibrant international Walker Books Group that includes Walker Books Australia; Candlewick Press in America and its new division, Walker Books US; and Walker Productions.