GLOBAL RELEASE 31ST MARCH, 2016. Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, has struck a two-book deal with debut British author Lisa Thompson via Adam Gauntlett at the Peters, Fraser and Dunlop Literary Agency. The first of two stand-alone titles, The Goldfish Boy, which will publish in the UK, US, and Canada in early 2017, is an extraordinary middle-grade contemporary novel with a wonderful cast of characters and a story that will stay with readers long after the final page.

The book centres on thirteen year old Matthew Corbin, who suffers from severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that renders him a virtual recluse. To pass the time, he observes his neighbours from his bedroom window, making notes as they go about their lives and sharing his anxieties with a piece of wallpaper in the shape of a lion. When a little boy staying next door goes missing and it becomes apparent that Matthew was the last person to see him, the young teenager must turn detective and unravel the mystery of his disappearance.

The Goldfish Boy is a compelling whodunit with a completely engaging narrator in Matthew. At the heart of the story are the events that led to Matthew’s debilitating OCD issues, which Thompson depicts in an accessible and ultimately life-affirming manner, without shying away from the realities of living with a mental illness.

Lisa Thompson spent many years in radio production at BBC Radio 2, and as a freelancer, making plays and comedy shows for Radio 4. She said, “I am simply thrilled to be a part of Scholastic. Their excitement and enthusiasm was apparent immediately and I know that this is the perfect home for The Goldfish Boy.”

Scholastic UK editor Lauren Fortune said: “The Goldfish Boy is that rarest of books: a page-turning, utterly compulsive mystery with outstanding characters and true heart. At Scholastic we set great store by the in-house enthusiasm a story generates – and this book had our offices on both sides of the Atlantic buzzing! Lisa is an exciting new voice in children’s fiction and Nick and I couldn’t be happier to be publishing her.”

Scholastic US editor Nick Eliopulos said: I’m so pleased to be working with Scholastic UK on such an outstanding debut. The Goldfish Boy is a marvel – a book that is at once a tender, thoughtful character study and a riveting whodunit. I’m so impressed with what Lisa has accomplished, and I can’t wait to share this story with readers all around the globe.”

Media contacts:

Rachel Phillipps
Senior Publicity Manager
Scholastic UK
+44 (0) 20 7756 7778
rphillipps@scholastic.co.uk

Tracy van Straaten
VP, Trade Publicity, Scholastic US
tvanstraaten@scholastic.com

Nikole Kritikos
Manager, Marketing and Publicity, Scholastic Canada
nkritikos@scholastic.ca

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 95 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to "Open a World of Possible" for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.co.uk/worldofpossible