Piccadilly Press has announced the acquisition of The Girl Who Raced the World which is a reimagining of Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in Eighty Days, by exciting debut author Nat Harrison. This page turning adventure will be aimed at readers 9-12 years.
Ruth Bennett, editorial director at Piccadilly Press acquired English language rights in the UK and Commonwealth from Lydia Silver at the Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency.
The Girl Who Raced the World is told through the eyes of Maggie, a young girl who gets whisked away on a global adventure of steam travel as they race against the clock to return to London in time to win the bet and clear Phileas Fogg’s name.
It is 1872 and, when Maggie Appleton’s beloved mother dies, she is left with nothing but a letter for a Monsieur Passepartout and the promise that he will help her. With no one else to turn to, Maggie seeks out Passepartout and, in doing so, is drawn into an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. Together with kindly Passepartout and his employer, the enigmatic Mr Phileas Fogg, Maggie journeys by ship and train to Italy, India, Hong Kong, Japan and America, in a daring race against time to win the wager Fogg has accepted.
But with a bank robber on the loose, an angry Inspector on their tail and unread secrets in the letter she carries, Maggie will soon discover that there are more challenges ahead than keeping on schedule to win the bet.
Nat Harrison said: ‘It is a dream come true to be working with the team at Piccadilly Press. Lydia and I wanted to find an editor who was brave, adventurous, but also had a big heart. From the moment we spoke to Ruth, I knew we’d hit the jackpot, Maggie and the crew could not wish for a better captain. I’m honoured to be racing around the world with Ruth on this heart-pounding adventure.’
Ruth Bennett, editorial director at Piccadilly Press, said: ‘A book is a brilliant passport to adventure, and I am delighted that young readers will be able to experience the excitement of global travel through the eyes of Maggie, the unforgettable hero of this story. There are some other passengers – a certain Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout, who readers might well recognise! Nat has expertly navigated this classic tale to bring us a true page-turner that will bring the spirit of adventure to life for today’s young readers. All aboard!’
Nat Harrison was born on the tiny volcanic island of Ascension, in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. She spent her childhood having adventures in England and Hong Kong and has since journeyed to every continent except Antarctica (it’s next on the list). She’s based in Richmond but can usually be found exploring with her husband, and her best dog Shadow, who loves a good story. In the past, Nat has worked as a sweet seller, burger flipper, bingo caller, and ice cream whipper. She’s also worked for some of the most well-known technology brands, living in Europe, Asia and the US. Most recently Nat graduated with distinction from the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. The one constant across continents is Nat’s love of reading and writing (and living!) adventure stories. The Girl Who Raced the World is her debut novel. @natharrisonauthor on Instagram
The Girl Who Raced the World will be publishing in hardback on 25th September 2025 and the paperback will be publishing in 2026.