New Releases by Hilary McKay

Es 1902 cuando Clarry nace en Reino Unido. Sin embargo, su madre muere tras dar a luz. Desde ese momento, su hogar queda invadido por la tristeza, y su hermano Peter y ella crecen al lado de un padre frío y distante. La alegría llega cada verano cuando los hermanos visitan a sus abuelos en Cornualles. Allí, junto con su primo Rupert, disfrutan de la libertad del campo y la playa, hasta que la sombra de la Primera Guerra Mundial comienza a cernirse sobre ellos. Poco a poco, familia y amigos se ven involucrados en el conflicto, pero Clarry, Peter y Rupert luchan por mantenerse fuertes, como las alondras que vuelan sobre los campos de batalla, recordándoles a los soldados que la vida sigue adelante. ¿Podrá la familia superar esta guerra desgarradora? Ganadora del Premio Costa, La guerra de las alondras es una bellísima historia sobre los afectos y las pérdidas de tres chicos que crecen con la Primera Guerra Mundial como telón de fondo.

From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes an enchanting illustrated middle grade novel in the spirit of Matilda about a lonely orphan who dreams of escaping her ghastly aunt and uncle. Rosa has always believed there is magic in the world. Or at least, she hopes there is. She lost her parents when she was four, and her aunt and uncle moved into her home not long after, transforming it from a messy place of love and warmth to a cold world of business. Their approach to family is as phony as the plastic grass they sell, keeping Rosa at arm’s length and tucking her in at night by locking her in her room. Now eleven, Rosa’s loneliness threatens to overwhelm her. Her only solace is the magic she sees around her, particularly in a cat named Balthazar who comes to—and through—her window. When all the teachers at her school win the lottery and quit their jobs, Rosa’s aunt and uncle seize the opportunity to put an evil plan into action. They whisk Rosa away to Venice, intending to abandon her there. Luckily for Rosa, there are cats in Venice—and a laughing boy in a gondola and a family making sure she is fed. In Rosa’s darkest hour, can the magic she’s never lost faith in save the day?

Trapped and alone on the salt marshes, Jodie is troubled by a haunting presence in this eerily atmospheric ghost story from multi-award-winning author Hilary McKay

Un romanzo che commuove e diverte, e che, sullo sfondo di una straziante guerra, riesce a toccare temi come il coraggio, l’amicizia e il rapporto con il nemico. Dall’autrice bestseller de La guerra delle farfalle, vincitore del Premio Andersen 2022, una commovente storia ambientata durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, che parla di famiglia e amicizia sui fronti opposti di un devastante conflitto, di quattro vite ordinarie collegate da circostanze straordinarie, seguite dall’infanzia fino alla soglia dell’età adulta. Erik e Hans sono tedeschi e ammirano le rondini che volano sopra i tetti di Berlino, senza sapere che un giorno saranno loro a volare sopra l’Inghilterra, rischiando la vita in una guerra che entrambi detestano. Ruby e Kate sono inglesi e, grandi amiche molto diverse tra loro, si ritrovano a correre incontro a un pericolo che nessuna delle due avrebbe potuto immaginare. Nel frattempo, Rupert e Clarry stanno lavorando in segreto per la pace e un futuro migliore per tutti loro...

"Originally published in Great Britain in 2021 by Pan Macmillan."

Premio Andersen 2022: miglior libro oltre i 15 anni. Un romanzo stimolante, divertente, triste e commovente, che parla di Clarry e dei suoi amici ma anche di grandi temi universali. Clarry Penrose è bendisposta verso il mondo e verso tutti, anche verso suo padre che non ama i bambini, soprattutto non le bambine, e che non si preoccupa della sua educazione perché non serve. L''unica cosa importante per una ragazzina è comportarsi bene. Ma Clarry vuole una vita sua, vuole tuffarsi in mare dalla scogliera e nuotare, come suo fratello Peter e ancor di più come il suo affascinante e intrepido cugino Rupert. E vuole anche andare a scuola. Dopotutto ha sempre fatto i compiti per il fratello finché lui non è stato mandato in collegio. Tutto d''un tratto scoppia la Prima Guerra Mondiale, e niente è più come prima. Rupert si arruola e anche Simon, il miglior amico di Peter, con conseguenze devastanti. Clarry ne è sconvolta, ma entra così nel grande mondo reale, crudele ma pieno di opportunità.

It''s Valentine''s Day and everything''s changing. Indigo''s in love and wants to do something special to win over Sarah, Saffy has a strange new boyfriend who teaches her all about the stars and Caddy has fallen in love and is getting married... but not to Michael. With a wedding to plan, promises to uphold and hearts to protect, everything''s a little crazier than usual in the Casson household.

Five starred reviews! “An instant classic.” —The New York Times Book Review “Possibly the finest writer of our time.” —Elizabeth Wein, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes a beautiful, enchanting story about a girl adjusting to her new family and their new house—which just might be magical. When Abi’s father marries Max and Louis’s mom, their families start over together. Abi suddenly finds herself the middle child, expected to share far too much—especially with grubby little Louis. Then they move into an eerie, ivy-covered house, big enough for all of them. But for the children, strange things start to happen in that house. Abi reads alone, and finds herself tumbling so deep into books, they almost seem real. Louis summons comfort from outdoors, and a startling guest arrives—is it a cat or something else? Max loses his best friend…and falls in love. Meanwhile, Louis’s secret visitor is becoming much too real. Now Abi, Max, and Louis must uncover the secrets of their new home—for there can be danger in even the most beautiful magic. From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes a story that is at once enchanting and thrilling—if you don’t get lost in it first.

“Possibly the finest writer of our time.” —Elizabeth Wein, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity All three of Hilary McKay’s “vivid and lively” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) books about the misadventures of Binny Cornwallis, together for the first time in one charming paperback boxed set. Mayhem, love, and laughter run riot in three heartwarming adventures from award-winning author Hilary McKay. Binny Cornwallis’s perfect world is turned upside down after her father dies, when money becomes tight and her horrible aunt gives away her beloved dog, Max. But Binny has the warmth of her busy and loving mother, her musical older sister, and her hilarious little brother, who is always busy with his experiments. And his wetsuit. And his chickens. And she never stops looking for Max. Life is never dull in the Cornwallis house, and Binny is also faced with crushes, frenemies, new schools, a case of missing chickens, a possible ghost, and a seriously witchy neighbor in this funny and endlessly endearing boxed set. This set includes: Binny for Short, Binny in Secret, and Binny Bewitched.

A Boston Globe Best Book of 2018 A Horn Book Best Book of 2018 “Vivid, hilarious, and heartbreaking.” —Elizabeth Wein, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Verity “The best children’s book I’ve read this year.” —Katherine Rundell, Boston Globe–Horn Book Award–winning author of Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms “A near-miraculous balance of light and joyous touch with sometimes serious and even heartbreaking material.” —BCCB (starred review) From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes a “wholly satisfying” (Booklist, starred review) story full of wit, heartbreak, and hope as a girl fights for her independence during World War I. Clarry Penrose finds the good in everyone. Even in her father, who isn’t fond of children, and especially girls. He doesn’t worry about her education, because he knows she won’t need it. It’s the early twentieth century, and the only thing girls are expected to do is behave. But Clarry longs for a life of her own. She wants to dive off cliffs and go swimming with her brother Peter and cousin Rupert. And more than anything, she wants an education. She helps Peter with his homework all the time, so why can’t she manage it by herself? When war breaks out, Clarry is shocked to find that Rupert has enlisted. Then he is declared missing, and Clarry is devastated. Now she must take a momentous step into the wide world—for if she misses this chance, she may never make it. This is an inspirational, funny, and heartwarming story about a girl who dares to open doors that the world would rather keep closed.

The Exiles was the winner of the 1992 Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize and is the first novel in Hilary McKay''s wonderfully witty and warm The Exiles series. Ruth, Naomi, Rachel and Phoebe Conroy love reading and having fun more than anything else. So the sisters are horrified when they learn that their parents are sending them away to Cumbria for the summer, to stay with their fearsome grandmother: Big Grandma. Big Grandma is strict, makes them do chores and doesn''t let them have any fun – but worst of all, she refuses to let the girls read any books. Determined to enjoy their summer, the sisters decide they aren''t going to put up with their grandmother''s tough regime, and in doing so they somehow manage to cause inordinate amounts of chaos . . . But as the girls search for alternatives to Big Grandma''s way of life they slowly start to understand its appeal, just as she starts to understand them. Are the two generations more alike than they think?

Love is in the air . . . The Exiles in Love is the third and final book in the award-winning The Exiles series, with Hilary McKay''s trademark wit and warmth. Ruth, Naomi, Rachel and Phoebe Conroy are all struggling to deal with the trials and tribulations of first love(s). Ruth develops a crush on the school bus driver, but finds herself conflicted when she also develops feelings for Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, the temporary English teacher (who Naomi is also smitten with) AND Alan Adair who works in the butcher''s shop. Meanwhile, the younger two sisters have other things on their minds – Rachel is plotting to become May Queen at her school and Phoebe is in training to become an international spy. But when Big Grandma arranges for a French boy called Philippe to stay with the Conroy''s, it''s not long before all the girls fall head over heels for him as well . . .

“Ten old yarns cleverly ‘re-spun.’” —The Wall Street Journal “Abundantly magical.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) Award-winning author Hilary McKay reimagines classic fairy tales with humorous and heartfelt twists in this illustrated collection of short stories that Booklist calls “a real delight.” Imagine Hansel and Gretel’s story from their teacher’s point of view, when Gretel submits her report of, “What I Did in the Holidays, and Why Hansel’s Jacket Is So Tight.” Learn the story of how Rumpelstiltskin was used by a greedy girl who wanted to marry a prince in “Straw into Gold.” Find out what was really underneath all those mattresses the unlucky princess had to sleep on—and who the prince was really in love with—in “The Prince and the Problem.” Award-winning author Hilary McKay brings a modern sensibility and inventive quirkiness to this beautiful collection of ten classic fairy tales, reimagining them with emotional depth and lighthearted humor. Each story is also accompanied by delicate black and white illustrations. This sure-to-be treasured collection includes: Rapunzel Cinderella The Princess and the Pea Rumpelstiltskin The Pied Piper The Swan Brothers Snow White Red Riding Hood The Twelve Dancing Princesses Hansel and Gretel

Ruth, Naomi, Rachel and Phoebe Conroy are all struggling to deal with the trials and tribulations of first love(s). Ruth develops a crush on the school bus driver, but finds herself conflicted when she also develops feelings for Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre, the temporary English teacher (who Naomi is also smitten with) and Alan Adair who works in the butcher''s shop. Meanwhile, the younger two sisters have other things on their minds - Rachel is plotting to become May Queen at her school and Phoebe is in training to become an international spy. But when Big Grandma arranges for a French boy called Philippe to stay with the Conroy''s, it''s not long before all the girls fall head over heels for him as well.

I asked myself lots of questions, like what did Hansel and Gretel say to their father when they finally made it home? What I Did in the Holidays . . . is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

Often, I found things were not quite as they first seemed. Not all princesses are content to marry the prince, no matter how charming, or how carefully the queen arranges the peas. The Prince and the Problem is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

I asked myself lots of questions, like how could Snow White have left those seven kind dwarves? Perhaps she never quite did. Chickenpox and Crystal is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

I asked myself lots of questions, like why did the Piper’s son steal the pig? Over the Hills and Far Away is an imaginative retelling which weaves together two classic stories in the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood and the nursery tale of Tom, Tom, the Piper''s Son. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

Here is brave, loyal Elsa, who wove the nettles in silence for seven long years. Sweet William by Rushlight is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale ''The Swan Brothers''. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

I asked myself lots of questions, like what happened in Hamelin after the children vanished? The Fountain in the Market Square is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale The Pied Piper of Hamelin. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

Here is Cinderella, who so much deserved her fairy godmother. The Rose Round the Palace is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

Here are the twelve dancing princesses, who drove the Old King to distraction by wearing through their slippers every night. (Which sounds like something he could have made less fuss about, until you do the maths: well over four thousand pairs of slippers a year. Satin slippers too!) Things Were Different in Those Days is an imaginative retelling of the classic fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Originally featured in Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales, this short story is sure to capture the imagination! From the Guardian Children''s Fiction Prize-winning storyteller Hilary McKay and featuring black-and-white line and tone illustrations from the talented Sarah Gibb.

Hilary McKay''s Fairy Tales is a classic fairy-tale collection to treasure. Featuring Hilary McKay''s imaginative retellings of key favourites, this ten-story collection includes the much-loved tales of Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, Rumpelstiltskin, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Swan Brothers, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Red Riding Hood, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Hansel and Gretel. This gorgeous collection features black-and-white line and tone illustrations throughout from the talented Sarah Gibb.

When Binny finds some money left behind at an ATM—and then loses it—she unleashes an adventure full of “funny, poignant chaos” (The Wall Street Journal). Binny Cornwallis is not a thief. Or is she? In one greedy moment, she snatches some bills left behind at an ATM. After all it’s her mother’s birthday, and just think of what she could do with some cash in her never-quite-enough-money household. But of course she has to hide the money—she can’t explain it. And in her tiny house, every hiding place is in danger of discovery. After a few tries, Binny hides it so well she can’t find it again, even after she decides to give it back! Now, Binny must team up with her best enemy Gareth, who sets out to play detective and figure out who might have taken the money. Meanwhile the next-door neighbor is doing odd things like presenting Binny with a little doll that looks just like her—with her hand in her pocket, just as Binny’s was when she pocketed the cash. Is the witchy neighbor woman putting a spell on Binny? There’s plenty more going on, as Binny’s older sister Clem has a secret of her own, and her little brother James is having a kung fu clash with his best friend. Mayhem, love, and laughter run wild in this new hilarious Binny adventure.

Lulu is all boxed up—literally! Featuring all six of Lulu’s adventures, beginning readers will love this brand-new, boxed set in a handy carrying case. Join Lulu and her friends as they work together to save animals in their neighborhood. A fun, breezy series for youngsters starting to read chapter books. The boxed set includes Lulu and the Duck in the Park, Lulu and the Dog from the Sea, Lulu and the Cat in the Bag, Lulu and the Rabbit Next Door, Lulu and the Hedgehog in the Rain, Lulu and the Hamster in the Night, and a limited-edition sticker sheet.

Lulu adopts a hamster, but she can''t tell Nan about it because Nan doesn''t care for most animals—especially not hamsters. It''s her birthday this weekend and Lulu and Mellie are staying the night. Lulu doesn''t want to leave her new hamster behind, but can she and Mellie keep it a secret from Nan over the weekend?

While getting bullied at school, twelve-year-old Binny investigates the disappearance of her brother''s chicken and tries to save an endangered lynx.

From the winner of the Costa Children''s Book Award 2018. It''s tough being the youngest in the Casson family! It is nearly the end of Year 6, and Rose is preparing for Big School. With absent siblings, a perpetually-in-the-shed mother and finally-here-again-father, Rose''s Blog reveals what happens to the Cassons - and Tom, of course. Hilary McKay''s Casson family was first brought to life in the Whitbread Award-winning Saffy''s Angel. Fierce as a small tiger, Permanent Rose has her own way of seeing the world. After Forever Rose (the last of the books following the Casson family), the eponymous Rose continued to grow up. Hilary posted entries from a blog Rose was keeping on her website, chronicling the further adventures of the Cassons. They are available here as one collection for the first time.

When Lulu''s next-door neighbor doesn''t seem to be looking after his rabbit properly, Lulu and her cousin Mellie devise a scheme to make him pay more attention to his pet.