ALBIN MICHEL ANNOUNCES GRIPPING FICTION FOR KIDS 6-10+ Over the past 10 years, Albin Michel Jeunesse’s imprint WIZ has earned a reputation as a leading actor in the fiction for Young Adults publishing field. WIZ’s popular list includes major acquisitions such as international bestselling series Percy Jackson, award-winning novelists Meg Rosoff and Joyce Carol Oates and countless perennial #1 New York Times bestsellers such as Jay Asher’s debut novel, Thirteen Reason Why. In 2012, Albin Michel Jeunesse launched WITTY, a new imprint focusing on quality and humourous middle-grade fiction from abroad and featuring star-author David Walliams, to name just one. Building on this success, we continue to innovate in 2015 with a brand new list of stirring and original novels across a wide variety of genres and ages. Introducing the best of French fiction and starting from ages 6 and up, these books will bring established authors to new audiences and focus on fundamental values such as friendship, courage and generosity in today’s world and other historical periods.
Three distinct editorial lines:
A pool of renowned French authors
Gripping stories for everyone’s age and taste Literary fiction and quality writing
SERIES ACROSS GENRES AND AGES The destiny of a young princess solving mysteries at the Court
Laugh-out-loud teen diary
8+
11+
A young hero with the extraordinary power to travel inside the human body
SINGULAR NOVELS FOR 13 + AUDREN
STAND-ALONE FICTION
The existential road-trip of an eccentric family
FABRICE COLIN
An adventurous young woman who tries to reach freedom in the harsh 19th century Far West
8+ How to cope when your dog turns out to be racist?
BOOKS FOR EARLY READERS
Fun, educative and colourful stories to start reading alone at 6 & up
QUALITY FICTION FOR ALL AGES A poetic story that explores the question of mourning and reawakening
A powerful and moving coming-ofage story about fighting for difference
10+
8+
Three sisters thrown into the turmoil of dark family secrets
Rediscovering the power of books to change the course of a dying civilization
11+
Fighting for love and freedom in a fantasy Ancient Rome
OSCAR THE MEDICUS SERIES
OSCAR THE MEDICUS Written by Eli Anderson Illustrated by Titwane
Oscar is a 9-year-old boy like every other…or almost! One day, he ventures in the mysterious Cumides Park adjacent to his house and discovers a magical world of moving plants, playful ants and capricious trees. But this is nothing compared to the exciting discovery of a magical pendant which grants him an extraordinary power: he can travel inside the body of any living being and heal their illnesses. Ages 8 & Up 112 pages – 12,5 x 18 cm 5,50€ – About 40 illustrations
sMedecine s Fantasys sAdventure s Bravery s
Already published: # 1: The magical pendant # 2: The mystery of the red cape # 3: The know-it-all grimoire # 4: The Secret Order of the Medicus
He quickly gets to experience his new power in the stomach of Royce, the park’s guarding dog that seems to be suffering from a terrible indigestion, and with Bones, the frightening butler who breaks his leg while chasing Oscar. In the hidden corners of these suffering bodies, Oscar discovers a maze of tunnels, networks and mechanisms and encounters countless little workers all very busy at work such as Valentine the Cell pilot or Bianca the overwhelmed stomach officer. Oscar cannot resist putting his sister and two best friends into the confidence and, whilst each new title will bring more and more intricate cases to solve, he will have no choice but to rely on their help and on all the magical objects he will collect on the way to accomplish his important mission!
THE AUTHORS Eli Anderson is a doctor and the author of the successful YA series Oscar Pill which sold more than 250 000 copies and was translated into 16 languages. The series will soon be adapted to the cinema by Warner Bros and Heyday Films (producers of Harry Potter). Building on this success, Eli Anderson decided to adapt the concept to younger readers. He also wrote several crime novels for adult widely acclaimed by the public and critics. Titwane is an illustrator for press, television and books. He illustrated several volumes of Le Château Magique series published by Bayard.
v
A unique and strong concept: the first hero with the power to travel inside the human body v A brave and touching protagonist with whom every child will identify immediately v A new illustrated series by the bestselling author of Oscar Pill which combines gripping stories with the educative appeal of understanding the human body
ELISABETH PRINCESS AT VERSAILLES
The Secret of the automaton Elisabeth, Princess at Versailles
Written by Annie Jay Set in 1774, this new historical series recounts the adventures of Princess Elisabeth, the younger sister of Louis XVI. Ages 8 & Up 144 pages – 14,3 x 18,6 cm – 6.90€ About 40 colour illustrations
sFriendship s Mysterys sAdventure s Royalty s sHistorys
At just 11 years old, Elisabeth is smart and lively, but she doesn’t like to study, can’t stand the authority and is such a nightmare to her governess that the latter has no other choice than to hire another governess, Madame de Mackau, entrusted with the mission of taming her. The princess, however, is decided not to let that happen and runs away with her horse. When she falls, a nice girl her age appears to help her get back on her feet, and Elisabeth quickly realizes that she is no other than Madame de Mackau’s daughter! Elisabeth and Angélique rapidly become inseparable and, together, they will solve all sorts of mysterious cases that arise at the court… to be continued in the next titles! A new series that will appeal to both mystery and adventure lovers!
THE AUTHOR Annie Jay is an autodidact passionate about history. Her first novel, Complot à Versailles, was published by Hachette in 1993 and sold over 70,000 copies. She has published about 20 historical novels, three of which feature on the French Ministry of Education recommendation list, and has received many prizes.
v A rhythmic series based on true historical characters and facts to learn while enjoying gripping stories v The destiny of a young princess whose life is ruled by the etiquette and who tries to find her place in the world v Colourful and generous characters easy to identify with
FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF LOUISE
Fan of His From the notebooks of Louise Series
Written by Marion Michau and Charlotte Marin
Louise is a 14-year-old girl of her time: she speaks with her friends on Skype, doesn’t want to tidy her room, fights with her older sister and, above all, is completely under the charm of Ricky, singer and leader of her favourite boy band, the Connections. Cover design by Diglee
Ages 11 & Up 250 pages – 14 x 20 cm 12,50€ – Soft cover
sTeenagehood s Loves sFriendship s Humour s
For six months, Louise has been checking her calendar with excitement… and the day has finally come: she’s at the Connections concert! When Ricky appears on stage, she jumps and yells from joy, without knowing that just a few hours later, she and Ricky will be facing each other in her living-room… It is the beginning of her frenetic (and highly unprepared!) three-day VIP experience … only to realise in the end that there are far more important things in life than getting an autograph! A younger version of Bridget Jones, Louise is coping with her teenage imperfections and awkward situations with a self-mocking sense of humour and a lot of heart!
THE AUTHORS Charlotte Marin is a well-know French actress and singer who became famous with her show “One woman Chant” which combines humorous sketches and songs. With Marion Michau, she has already cowritten two chick-lit novels which were adapted to the cinema. Fan of his is their first novel for young readers. Marion Michau writes funny and glamourous columns in French women’s magazines. She is also a scriptwriter for TV series and works with Charlotte Marin on all her shows and albums.
This first title is a hilarious yet tender introduction to a new series dedicated to the day-to-day life and preoccupations of today’s teenagers!
STAND-ALONE FICTION FOR 8+
My Dog is racist Written by Audren Illustrated by Clément Oubrerie
O
ne evening, as he is going to the cinema,
Ages 8 & Up 112 pages – 13 x 20 cm – 8,50€ – Softcover with flaps – About 20 colour illustrations
sRacism s Tolerances sHumour s Family s
One is never too young to talk about racism!
Maël, a 10-year-old boy, finds a lovely little dog on his doormat. After having looked in vain for his master, Maël and his parents decide to adopt him and name him Kitty. But the dog sometimes has a strange behaviour: he growls and tries to bite people…and even sometimes the television! Until one day, Maël’s neighbours understand what is going on: Kitty only growls at people who have a dark skin… he is racist! Maël and his parents are very embarrassed and Maël asks himself a lot of questions: can he still love his dog? Is it possible to be clever, nice and racist at once? Can you unlearn to be racist? And how can he make people understand that just because his dog is racist, it doesn’t mean that he and his family are racist too? This clever story deals with the delicate subject of racism in a subtle and humorous way to make children ask themselves fundamental questions.
THE AUTHORS Audren is one of the figureheads of French children’s literature. She has published over 30 novels that have encountered great success, including the series Les Orphelines d’Abbey Road and Olsen Peterson, published by L’Ecole des Loisirs. Her books are translated in 10 languages Clément Oubrerie studied graphic arts in France before moving to the USA where he published his first children’s books. Back in France, he created a press agency specialized in computer graphics, while pursuing his career as an illustrator. He published several picture books and comics, including the Aya de Yopougon series (Gallimard) which received the Angouleme International Comics festival prize in 2006 and was translated into more than 20 languages.
SINGULAR NOVELS FOR 13 +
Wild Girl Written by Audren Spring 1867: at the age of just 19, Milly Burnett leaves her native Massachusetts and lands in the little town of Tolstoy, Montana, where she is to work as a teacher at the local school.
Ages 13 & Up 250 pages – 14,5 x 21,5 cm – 15€
sWild West s Feminisms sAdventure s Freedom s
Emancipated and freedom-loving, Milly has come to build her happiness while educating the children of the town. Although life is harsh, she rapidly forges ties with the other inhabitants of Tolstoy. However, troubles begin when she accepts to welcome Joshua in her class, an atypical pupil of 17 who is unfairly marginalised by the community… Will Milly succeed in turning her nose up at the town’s conventions and manage to live as free a life as she had hoped?
THE AUTHOR Audren is one of the figureheads of French children’s literature. She has published over 30 novels that have encountered great success, including the series Les Orphelines d’Abbey Road and Olsen Peterson, published by L’école des Loisirs. Her books are translated in 10 languages.
v A universe between Little House on the Prairie, Jane Eyre, Calamity Jane and Sergio Leone western movies v The adventures of a woman who tries to reach freedom in a world ruled by conventions and traditions
SINGULAR NOVELS FOR 13 +
In the land that is like you Written by Fabrice Colin The journey starts in Paris, at the beginning of the summer holidays with the Farrows, an unconventional family! Lucy, the narrator, is 15. Very mature for her age, brilliant at school, she has a sound knowledge for Baudelaire’s poetry and a bitter sense of humour. Her twin brother, Jude, is more obscure and silent, spending most of his nights playing online games. They live with their father, a famous and eccentric Beatles specialist who pretends that everything is alright when they are all desperately trying to deal with an absent mum who has disappeared a year before in blurred circumstances.
Ages 13 & Up 250 pages – 14,5 x 21,5 cm – 15€
sFamily secrets sRoad trips sHumour s Adolescence s Thelma and Louise meets Little Miss Sunshine in this modern, poignant and laugh-out-loud novel which won’t leave any reader unaffected!
This could have been a very boring summer if it had not been for the intervention of Marilyne, the freshly-retired, hyperactive and rock-n-roll grandmother who reveals that their mother, who wasn’t their birth mum, had left some clues for them to find their biological mother and who embarks the four of them in an eventful trip. Not informing the father of their real agenda, they set out in search of their birth mother all across Europe where they have identified 3 potential candidates. This is without knowing that they will unwittingly take part in a burglary, survive a plane crash, steal DNA tests and that the journey will take them all the way up to Hong Kong’s haze. Carried by a Beattles soundtrack and the piercing voice of Lucy who is talking to her absent mother, this epic and extravagant journey will turn out to be a lifesaving experience and new start for the whole family.
THE AUTHOR Whether writing for adults or for children, Fabrice Colin always focuses on imaginary literature. At Albin Michel, he has published La Malédiction d’Old Haven, Le Maître des dragons and Bal de givre à New York. He has won the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire, a prestigious literary prize that rewards works of science fiction and fantasy, not only one but four times and his books are translated in more than 10 languages!
v A one-of-a-kind novel that embarks the reader on both a touristic and existential journey v An investigation filled with family secrets and a travel into the past v A delightful cast of outlandish, moving, warm, sometimes dysfunctional and vividly hysterical characters.
LITTLE APPLE SERIES
EARLY READER BOOKS
Written by Delphine Cotte Illustrated by Gwenaëlle Doumont Teacher, Tell Us a Story!
All these beautiful cherries!
Yummy things to eat on Saturdays!
When she was in first grade, Little Apple loved her teacher’s read-aloud stories but she always had to wait until after reading, after math, after recess and even after poetry. It took forever and Little Apple just couldn’t wait, so she kept daydreaming while staring out the classroom window. Finally, when Mrs. Johnson opened her big book of tales, Little Apple sat back to enjoy the story. Since then, Little Apple has learned to read, and she is now the one who reads to her little sister.
Little Apple meets up with her friend, Little Frog, bringing a basket of magnificent cherries from her grandfather’s garden. And so begins the story of how she had to wait and wait and wait from the moment she planted the tree with her grandfather until she could finally pick and eat them.
When she was younger, Little Apple’s grandmother cooked a new dish every day of the week: chicken on Monday, grilled cheese on Tuesday, zucchini casserole on Wednesday, and so on. She used to keep all the leftovers and when Saturday finally came around, grandma would invent a strange but delicious special recipe with all of them. Now, Little Apple eats lunch at the school but on Saturday nights she and her mother do the same thing she used to do with grandma… except the results aren’t quite as good!
THE SERIES Little Apple remembers stories from “before”–when she was still little–in first grade. But things have changed since she got bigger and started second grade. Over the course of the stories, Little Apple learns how to be patient and invent games with practically anything. The stories deal with everyday life, grandparents, dreams and friendship all playing an important role and each story ending with a clever little twist.
THE AUTHOR Delphine Cotte works in an adult training program for childcare professionals and teachers, offering them an understanding of Montessori teaching methods and how to create materials for workshops. In other words, her work is at the heart of childhood pedagogical issues. She recently published a bestselling book with Eyerolles entitled Montessori at Home.
THE ILLUSTATOR A graduate of the Saint Luc School of graphic arts in Brussels, Gwenaëlle Doumont has worked as a full-time illustrator since 2003. Her drawings are full of details and share the same tender personality and gentle sense of humor that she enjoys with her daughter.
But she has learned a good lesson: every year the tree gets bigger, and the cherries are better and better!
An original concept: a concise and dynamic text with all of the dialogue appearing in speech bubbles that make it easier to learn to read. Ages 6 & Up 32 pages – 14,5 x 19,5 cm – 5.60€
NOE & AZOTE
EARLY READER BOOKS
SERIES THE AUTHORS Mim is a translator and author of children’s books and radio plays. Her series The Wonderful Life of Brigitte Hurricane (35 episodes for radio France culture) was awarded the prize for Best New Radio Talent by the French writer’s union (SACD). Benoit Bajon has worked for a number of years as a speech therapist and helps children find their way down the sometimes-difficult road of language learning. He also accompanies children learning to read. THE ILLUSTATOR Aurélie Guillerey was born in 1975 and lives in Rennes. She studied illustration at the Strasbourg School of Decorative Arts. Her style is fresh and full of bright colors, and her tender and insightful illustrations are a delightful addition to a host of magazines and children’s books. She already has more than 30 works to her credit.
Written by Mim & Benoit Bajon Illustrated by Aurélie Guillerey
A Furry friend!
Super Strong!
Welcome to Troll Land!
Noe just moved into a new house, and hasn’t met any new friends. One day, while playing in the backyard, he comes face to face with Azote, a real-life mountain troll. Azote is terrifying, but he’s actually not at all mean, so Noe invites him over the next day for a snack. He quickly discovers that being friends with a troll isn’t the most relaxing job in the world…
Noe Maleze is the laughing stock of the class: he doesn’t even know how to climb a rope. He’s so bad that his classmate Jules has nicknamed him Noe Strongman. Back at home, Zoe is desperate. To cheer him up, Azote offers to take him on a little trip to Borneo, offering him a chance to discover his hidden powers.
Noe is annoyed: the troll refuses to introduce him to his family. Why does he want to keep them apart? After another endless quarrel, Azote gives in and takes Noe into the mountains to meet his clan. This little outing in the midst of a gang of hairy, uncouth giants turns into a genuine ordeal for Noe..
THE SERIES Noe Maleze is a shy and awkward seven-year-old, an only child whose parents are always working. He has trouble overcoming his shyness, except with his friend Azote, a mountain troll that only he can see. Is Azote an imaginary friend or a magic creature? Regardless of whether he’s real or not, he’s the perfect friend, who accompanies Noe through a series of great adventures.
Ages 7 & Up 48 pages – 14,5 x 19,5 cm– 5.90€
GIANT Written by Jo Hoestlant Illustrated by Thomas Baas
The
story begins in the marshlands, somewhere between dry land and the sea. Martin and Louis are father and son, and work together as shepherds on stilts. Like giants, they keep watch over their herd.
An intense and poetic story that explores the question of mourning and reawakening The characters are touching and principled Her sensitive, intelligent and amusing style makes Jo Hoestlandt a central figure in children’s literature
When Martin dies, Louis and his mother move to the city. While going to school, he has to earn a living, make new friends, learn how to fight for himself and understand girls, including one in particular: Sophia. A special kind of girl, Sophia is particularly amusing. She’s his neighbor, and she too lost her mother early. She lives with her father and her little sister Maria, who never says a word. In no time, Sophia conveys her passion for theater to Louis and creates new bounds between the two families.
THE AUTHOR Jo Hoestlandt was born in 1948 and lives in Rueil-Malmaison. She initially worked as a professor of literature before dividing her time between writing books for children and raising three children of her own. She also created and managed reading and writing workshops for children. Her work spans different forms of writing, including novels, folktales and poetry, and she often meets with readers, encouraging them to exchange and correspond with each other, in order to better share both little and big things in life, across generations.
Jo Hoestlandt has received numerous prizes including: - The Bologna Graphic Award, The Batchelder Award and Bundestag Award (Germany) for her picture book Stars of Fear, Stars of Hope (Syros) - Prix Saint-Exupéry for Le pouvoir d’Aimé (Actes Sud Juniors) Ages 8-10 112 pages - 14 x 21,5 cm – 8.90€
Mourning Friendship Family Theater
THE BIG RIVER Written by Anne Rossi
Two children, who have been banished from their hometown, join together in search of a better world… Rejected by her tribe because of her webbed fingers, Frog decides to leave her village when her grandfather dies. Following his ashes as they float down the river, she goes in search of the wonderful place he always told her about. Ages 8-12 160 pages - 14 x 21,5 cm – 12.90€
Adventure Difference Quest Friendship
The initiatory journey of an intrepid girl and an oversensitive shy boy, facing together the hardships of life.
During her first night on the run, she discovers a young boy named Arbas who has a paralyzed arm. Like Frog, he has fled in fear of being killed. They decide to undertake their journey together. Following the same destiny and facing the same hardships and dangers, each has a strength that makes up for the weakness of the other. Frog and Arbas paddle down the river in a tree trunk that serves as a canoe, hoping to reach the legendary country described by Frog’s grandfather.
THE AUTHOR In answer to her grandfather’s habit of ending his stories with an invitation to “tune in next time to hear the end,” Anne Rossi decided to start writing her own endings. Since then, she never stopped. In her novels for children and adults, she is particularly fond of fantasy, imaginative writing and stories where everything is possible! Her most recent books are The Adventures of Barthelemy Styx, published by Scrineo, and a romantic series The Diary. She lives near Paris.
Strong characters with whom readers identify immediately: Frog, the daredevil with a heart, and Arbas, who is reserved and resourceful. A story with gripping twists and turns told in a simple and poetic style A powerful and coming-of-age story
moving
MIRAPOLIS Vol. 1: The shadows of the City Written by Hélène Montardre
The artificial peace of the City is suddenly disrupted when Nakat, a mysterious librarian from the Upper City, intercepts an enigmatic call from Barral, whom he knows has returned from the outside world. Barral is dying and only lives long enough to tell Nakat that he is the only survivor of the expedition and to give him the logbook which contains the precious secret itinerary to the Vessel. The Great Council must not know about the Vessel and Nakat has no other choice but to hide the book in a dark underground tunnel.
Ages 8-12 336 pages - 14 x 21,5 cm – 13.90€
Adventure Suspense Utopia
An invisible city, cut off from the world. A society divided between the gloomy Lower City and the Upper City, built for the pleasure of the elite…
Angueo is a young boy who works and lives in the dull Lower City where people are labeled and follow the orders of The Voice without any questionings. But Angueo is different. Somehow he has mysteriously avoided the total indoctrination that restricts their emotions and intelligence. His curiosity and boldness quickly lead him to discover the logbook which will change the course of his life. Nakat understands that this boy is different from the others, and undertakes an unprecedented experiment: he teaches him to read. During these secret encounters, Angueo discovers a world of forgotten knowledge and soon wants to learn more about what is happening in the outside world, beyond the city walls.
THE AUTHOR Hélène Montardre was born in 1954 in Montreuil. As a child, when people asked how she imagined herself in the future, she answered: writing, traveling and having children. Writing has always been a constant in her life and a guiding principle. Her books– which include more than fifty novels, picture books, folktales, and non-fiction works–are written for children of all ages. Several have won important prizes, including the most recent, The Phantom of the Red Hand (Nathan) which was awarded the paperback reader’s prize in 2013.
An
adventure into a strange, futuristic and fascinating world
A passionate story, and a reflection on the power of books throughout the history of humanity
An understated and accessible style, inviting the reader to identify with the young heroes in search of a new world Angueo’s adventures and quest for freedom continue in an exciting sequel: The lights of the Vessel
MIRAPOLIS Vol. 2: The lights of the Vessel Written by Hélène Montardre What if the search for the vessel was the same as the difficult lesson of learning the meaning of liberty?
Having escaped the city, Angueo finds himself alone in the outside world. As arranged by Nakat, Saskia, a young woman his age who comes from a tribe of mountain people, takes him under her wing. Having removed the chip that once regulated his moods and desires, Angueo experiences new feelings and is delighted by the wonders of the world he continues to discover in person, having only glimpsed them before in picture books. Ages 8-12 336 pages - 14 x 21,5 cm – 13.90€
Adventure Suspense Utopia
The riveting sequel to The shadows of the City
Soon, Angueo is joined by Nakat and five other young people who flee the city with him: Dokana and Chouab, two old friends from the Lower City, and Liona, Méji and Télia, three smart teenagers from the elitist Upper City. The search for the vessel continues and, while they can only rely on the logbook with mysterious itinerary instructions, the small group progressively discovers deserted landscapes and the ruins of a once civilized world. Along this dangerous journey, they are all forced to reveal their true personality and learn how to manage the freedom that comes with this new life, but nothing could have ever prepared them for what they were about to find in the Vessel…
THE AUTHOR Hélène Montardre was born in 1954 in Montreuil. As a child, when people asked how she imagined herself in the future, she answered: writing, traveling and having children. Writing has always been a constant in her life and a guiding principle. Her books– which include more than fifty novels, picture books, folktales, and non-fiction works–are written for children of all ages. Several have won important prizes, including the most recent, The Phantom of the Red Hand (Nathan) which was awarded the paperback reader’s prize in 2013.
An
adventure into a strange, futuristic and fascinating world
A passionate story, and a reflection on the power of books throughout the history of humanity
An understated and accessible style, inviting the reader to identify with the young heroes in search of a new world
The Young Ladies of Windy Heights Written by Yaël Hassan
Charlotte is reasonable and protecting, Emily is lively and impulsive, and Anne is sensitive and clairvoyant. All three are in shock: their mother has disappeared.
The touching portrait of three sisters, each with her own personality, thrown into the turmoil of dark family secrets
Yaël Hassan’s writing, recognized by booksellers and teachers, strikes just the right tone and sensibility An invitation to reach out and communicate with one’s own family
When their father has to leave town on business, they are forced to stay with their maternal grandparents, whom they have never met. From the moment they arrive at the austere manor of Windy Heights, the three sisters are struck by their grandmother’s toughness and their grandfather’s silence. Could this explain why their mother had broken off all ties with her family? And what about those mysterious Thursday evening parties thrown by their grandmother? The three sisters, named after the Brontë sisters, decide to conduct their own investigation: through a collection of old letters, Anne’s extraordinary visions and Charlotte’s perceptiveness, they are able to discover the truth that lies behind a wall of silence.
THE AUTHOR Yaël Hassan was born in Paris in 1952. After spending her childhood in Belgium and Israel, she returned to France for good in 1984. A prolonged convalescence following an accident gave her the opportunity to write her first novel, A Grandfather who Fell from Heaven, published by Casterman. The book was an immediate critical and commercial success. It won the Prize for the Best Youth Novel awarded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 1996, the Grand Prize for Young Readers chosen by the school board in 1998, and the Sorcières Booksellers Prize the same year. Since then she has devoted her career to children’s literature, and has published numerous books with Gallimard, Syros and Casterman, among others.
Ages 8-12 382 pages - 14 x 21,5 cm – 13.90€
Family secrets Investigation Disappearances Divination
LIGHTNING HORSES Written by Aurélie Wellenstein
As they work in the fields, Alix and her father are attacked by merciless Roman horsemen who are there to capture the Lightnings, this breed of terrifying electrified horses that pulverize everything in their path during thunderstorms and that have become the Romans’ favourite Circus attraction.
Ages 12 & Up 208 pages - 14 x 21,5 cm – 12.90€
Adventure Roman Circus Bravery Love
Her father is brutally murdered and Alix is kidnapped as she appears to be the only person capable of calming these powerful animals. Enslaved in Rome where she has to prepare the Lightnings for the races, she develops a special bound with Ira, an exceptional yet wild horse that was captured at the same time as her. Marcus, a young slave who is also the stable’s standing champion, immediately takes her under his protection and reveals the tricks of the trade to her. With the approaching race, bets are taken on each of the horsemen riding the Lightnings on an electrified horse track, where they run the risk of electrocution if they fall. With Ira, Marcus hopes to win the champion’s title and to buy back his liberty. But can he still aspire to victory after his terrible accident in the Circus? It is time for Alix to show what she is capable of…
THE AUTHOR Aurélie Wellenstein has been writing since the age of seventeen with a natural taste for science fiction. She is now thirty-seven and lives near Paris with an otter, a German shepherd, a pet horse and other imaginary creatures. She has published a number of short stories in fanzines and her first novel for children was published by Sortilèges. She has a natural taste for science fiction.
An ancient and original fantasy world: the Roman circus serves as the backdrop to relentless horse races A fast-paced style, a breathless plot, affecting and courageous characters, and a love story: everything to keep readers hooked! The fate of a resourceful young orphan who is trying to find her place in a man’s world