The Middler

The Middler is a gripping story of forbidden friendship, loyalty and betrayal set in a near-future world.

'I was special. I was a hero. I lost the best friend I ever had.'

Eleven-year-old Maggie lives in Fennis Wick, enclosed and protected from the outside world by a boundary, beyond which the Quiet War rages and the dirty, dangerous wanderers roam.

Her brother Jed is an eldest, revered and special. A hero. Her younger brother is Trig - everyone loves Trig. But Maggie's just a middler; invisible and left behind. Then, one hot September day, she meets Una, a hungry wanderer girl in need of help, and everything Maggie has ever known gets turned on its head.

Narrated expertly and often hilariously by Maggie, we experience the trials and frustrations of being the forgotten middle child, the child with no voice, even in her own family.

This gripping story of forbidden friendship, loyalty and betrayal is perfect for fans of Malorie Blackman, Meg Rosoff and Frances Hardinge.

About the Author

Kirsty Applebaum spent her childhood romping around churchyards and butterfly fields. Since then she has had an eclectic mix of jobs including bookselling, railway re-signalling, picking stones off a conveyor belt and putting lids on perfume bottles. These days she teaches Pilates two days a week and dedicates the rest of her time to writing.

In February 2017 Kirsty graduated from Bath Spa University's MA in Writing for Young People. Her middle grade novel, The Middler, won the 2016 United Agents Prize for Most Promising Writing for Young People.