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We are absolutely over the moon to share that The Girl of Ink & Stars, the debut novel from Kiran Millwood Hargrave, has won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2017!

The Girl of Ink & Stars won both the younger fiction category - a very strong shortlist, featuring our very own Beetle Boy by M.G. Leonard - and the overall prize.

Kiran's debut has captured the imaginations of readers everywhere. A breathtaking tale of friendship, discovery, maps and magic, The Girl of Ink & Stars was one of the bestselling children's debuts of last year and was acquired when Kiran was just 24. If you haven't yet got your hands on a copy, you can get yours here.

Kiran says: ‘Reading and writing are two of the greatest pleasures in my life, and Waterstones have been a huge part of supporting both. To be included in such an incredible shortlist is an honour, and to have won is startling and wonderful. Anyone who works in the industry knows it takes a small army to make a book, and I'm grateful to have had an amazing team behind and alongside me, and occasionally ahead too, pulling me on!’

To celebrate the win, Kiran's new novel The Island at the End of Everything will be released in all stores as soon as possible. An irresistibly poetic story of discrimination, belonging and the bond between mother and daughter, this poignant tale promises to be as widely-loved as her debut. We can't wait to hear what readers think! Get your copy here.

Our Publisher Barry Cunningham says: ‘We are overjoyed that Kiran has won one of the highest accolades in children’s publishing, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Kiran’s writing is inspiring, hopeful, poetic and, above all, fiercely beautiful. We are incredibly proud to be her publisher, and are excited to see what the future holds for Kiran in what is sure to be a long writing career.’

Follow Kiran on Twitter: @kiran_mh