A plucky orphan girl stumbles into a conflict centuries in the making in this thrilling middle grade fantasy about unexpected heroes, the power of friendship, and one boisterous enchanted sword.
Twelve-year-old Lark is determined to escape her squalid life at Miss Starvenger’s boarding house, but she needs to find the coin to do it. Her grand scheme? To steal her fortune from the Royal Museum.
Unfortunately, her heist goes off the rails, and Lark ends up stealing a magical sword right out from under the nose of Prince Jasper, who’s none too happy to have his plans thwarted. Lark soon discovers that the Sword has a mind of its own, and has chosen her to be the next Nightingale, a fabled hero who must vanquish an ancient evil that is waking after centuries of sleep.
Working alone has its limitations, but relying on others after a lifetime of disappointments feels impossible. Still, Lark will need the help of her boarding house roommates if she wants to defeat the villainous forces that threaten to dismantle everything she holds dear.
Praise for NIGHTINGALE:
NIGHTINGALE has been chosen for inclusion in the 2022-2023 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List!
NIGHTINGALE has been chosen for the 2022/2023 Maine Student Book Award Master List!
NIGHTINGALE is a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year for 2022!
NIGHTINGALE is a nominee for the MASL Mark Twain Award!
“Lark’s journey from thief to reluctant hero to champion is a joy to witness.”
~School Library Journal
“This tale of a reluctant orphan forced to play the hero offers numerous feats of derring-do as well as insight into the importance of making and having friends—not to mention a fine climactic battle with a giant robot.”
~ Booklist STARRED REVIEW
“A solid if unexpected blend of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and story of the birth of labor unions.”
~The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“An entertaining, organic, action-packed combination of adventure, science fiction, and fantasy.”
~Kirkus
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Audiobook available from Libro.fm and Audible!
EKSMO Publishers has licensed the Russian language hardcover, paperback, eBook & audio rights to Nightingale!