The wait is over! We're thrilled to celebrate the publication of Beth Hautala's debut middle grade novel WAITING FOR UNICORNS (Philomel Books).Kirkus calls Beth "an author to watch." School Library Journal calls her writing "poignant." Publisher's Weekly calls Beth's descriptions "spellbinding."

Talia McQuinn is much too old to believe in magic, yet she keeps a jar of wishes under her bed. When her whale-researcher father drags Tal to the Arctic for the summer following her mother’s death, she brings the jar along. During her stay, Tal learns of the ancient Inuit legend of the narwhal whale—the unicorn of the sea—she forms a plan to make the biggest wish of her life.

I discovered Beth's work while participating in the annual agent slugfest known as the Baker's Dozen Auction, a contest in which I read the first 250 words of her novel and had to bid on the rest, sight-unseen. It wasn't hard to take a chance on her--Beth's is the type of prose that just gets at you and doesn't let go.WAITING FOR UNICORNS is an incredibly special book, and it's exciting to see a debut author write with such beauty, truth, and a touch whimsy. We are thrilled to celebrate such a bright new talent. Congratulations, Beth!