Puffin Announce Another Two Book Deal with Phil Earle

Puffin has acquired two further titles by YA author Phil Earle, who has featured on the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and Branford Boase Award shortlists.

Editorial director Shannon Park bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Jodie Marsh. Earle's next novel, yet to be titled, explores the relationship between two brothers when the eldest, a soldier, returns home from the war in Afghanistan suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The book will be published in spring 2013.

Park said: "Phil is an exceptional rising star, and we are so excited to acquire his next two books for Puffin. I love how he manages to find a place for humour amongst the serious themes of his books, and creates characters who you engage with immediately . . . It's a real skill to be in tune with a young adult audience in this way."

Earle's earlier novel, Being Billy, was shortlisted for the 2012 Waterstones Children's Book Prize and Branford Boase Award.