book cover

Wilder Than Midnight

by Cerrie Burnell

Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 9+

Published by Puffin, 2022

  • Adventure
  • Myths and legends

About this book

Wild Rose has been raised in the forest by wolves and the Forest Folk who mine precious gems for the queen. Born without the lower part of her arm, she was rejected by her mother but has grown into a resourceful, independent young woman.

Aurelia is a cursed princess locked in a tower but she is also a girl with wings and a plan. Saffy is a dutiful daughter harbouring a growing longing for adventure and excitement.

When fate brings these three together, the world had better be ready because the secrets that have kept the people of Silverthorne in their place for generations are about to be exposed. And there will be consequences.

With hints at the roots of classic fairy stories, the magical storytelling in this multi-layered tale weaves a spell without resorting to any actual magic.

Expect all the heroism, bravery, plotting, scheming and deception of a traditional folk tale but don’t expect to find damsels in distress waiting to be rescued by handsome princes or heroic woodcutters. These girls have attitude and intend to take control of their own destinies.

Celebrating individuality and difference, this is a remarkable and engrossing adventure brimming with positivity and determination.

About the author

Cerrie Burnell is an actress and writer best known for her work on CBeebies, a role that has earned her critical recognition and a devoted fan base. Alongside this, she works very closely with a number of charitable organisations linked to childhood and diversity, as Cerrie is passionate about these subjects.

In 2011, Cerrie was named in the Observer’s top ten children’s presenters and in the Guardian’s list of 100 most inspirational women. Cerrie is author in residence for Great Ormond Street hospital and a patron of Polka children’s theatre.

She trained at Manchester Metropolitan and her credits prior to CBeebies include Eastenders, The Bill, Holby City, and Comedy Lab for Channel Four and various plays, including Winged, an original play she wrote and starred in at the Tristan Bates theatre.

Cerrie’s one-woman show The Magical Playroom opened in Edinburgh in 2013 and she has published seven books for children with Scholastic. Harper and the Sea of Secrets was a World Book Day title in 2016. Cerrie recently adapted her picture book Snowflakes for the stage, which was performed at the Oxford Playhouse in December 2016. Harper and the Night Fox was published by Scholastic in 2017, and her novel, The Girl With the Shark’s Teeth, was published by Oxford University Press in January 2019. Her novel, The Ice Bear Miracle, was published in February 2020.

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