Starminster 1: Fledging | Megan Hopkins

Astrid has lived in the rhubarb shed her whole life. The outside world is dangerous, Mama explains; she will understand when she’s older, but she cannot set foot beyond the door. Astrid longs to see the world; to meet other children; to live in the farmhouse with Mama. But what she longs for most of all is to see the stars.

Then one night, a stranger unlocks the shed: a stranger with wings. She has come to take Astrid to a secret city in the sky called London Overhead, far above the highest peak of the Shard. For Astrid, like her, is a Librae – and will soon grow wings of her own . . .

Astrid is swept into a breathtaking and magical world of new friendships, sweeping adventures and unimaginable discoveries at the ancient, beautiful school for Librae students: Starminster. But quickly she learns that all is not well in the glimmering city. And when rumours abound of missing children in London Underfoot, she begins to realise that Mama may have been right about the dangers waiting for Astrid all along . . .

• The first in an epic, magical, quality-commercial new middle-grade adventure series, set in a breathtaking world high above London, and filled with friendship, enchantment and mystery
• W ith epic worldbuilding and a premise that's pure wish fulfilment: which young reader wouldn't love to discover they are about to grow wings and head to a magical secret school in the sky?
• Features a diverse cast of characters and a protagonist navigating a strange new city, new school, new friendships and new life - from an author who spent her childhood moving between different cities and countries, and has poured her first-hand experiences into her debut.

Paperback
288 Pages
Published May 2024