What to expect

Exciting, funny, moving – and featuring joyous and authentic disabled representation – Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star is the middle-grade debut of 2023.

Cosima has spent all her life at the Home for Unfortunate Girls, along with her best friends: Pearl, Mary and Diya. Cos longs for a real home and a real family. But when Cos finds out that famed explorer Lord Francis Fitzroy is planning to adopt them, she and her friends know something suspicious is afoot – and they make a plan. They’re going to steal Fitzroy’s prized tiara, containing the legendary Star Diamond of India!

But as the big day draws closer, Cos stumbles across a mysterious treasure map that might just reveal the one secret she’s always wanted to know – the truth about her parents…

Exciting, warm, funny, moving, and featuring joyous and authentic disabled representation, be prepared to have your heart stolen by Cosima and friends.

Critics Review

  • ‘Full of adventure, warmth and rich historical detail’ Natasha Hastings

    The Bookseller’s Charlotte Eyre described it as seeking to ‘subvert expectations about what disabled children can do, making them heroes of the story’’Full of adventure, warmth and rich historical detail’ Natasha Hastings

    ‘Fun, adventure and mysteries to solve. A heartfelt hug of a book – I loved it’
    Hannah Gold, award-winning author of The Last Bear

    ‘I adored this book – an utterly brilliant, page-turning read. Gorgeous and powerfully inclusive, with a supremely loveable cast of characters, you’ll be rooting for Cosima from her very first heist. Expect to have your heart stolen!’
    Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn

    Cosima Unfortunate is an utterly sparkling adventure, featuring a brilliantly clever group of friends helmed by a courageous, determined heroine – a must read!’
    Ravena Guron, author of The Thief of Farrowfell and This Book Kills

    ‘A cracking heist adventure full of supportive friendships and unlimited hope. I already can’t wait to be reunited with Cos & Co.’
    Clare Povey, author of The Bastien Bonlivre Adventures

    ‘Full of adventure, warmth, and rich historical detail’
    Natasha Hastings, author of The Miraculous Sweetmakers

    ‘By stars, I loved this book. Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star is a rompy historical heist with a cast of furiously brilliant and disabled kids, alongside solving the mystery of who Cosima’s family are. Full of fun and memorable characters but also shines light on the way history has treated disabled children’
    Lizzie Huxley-Jones, author of Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend

    ‘A real treat’ The Bookseller

    The Bookseller’s Charlotte Eyre described it as seeking to ‘subvert expectations about what disabled children can do, making them heroes of the story’

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