Sufiya Ahmed’s two book deal with Andersen announced!
Andersen Press has acquired award-winning author Sufiya Ahmed’s “fast-paced and thrilling” middle-grade adventure, Escape from the Child Snatchers.
Inspired by the true stories of Indian children who were brought over to England during the 1800s, the book is aimed at readers aged nine and up and scheduled for publication on 29th January 2026.
Early 1900s, Bombay, India. Humza and his friend Ranj are on a mission to bring back Dani, Humza’s brother who went missing in London two years ago. But they’re too young to work as lascars on the ships so they decide to stow away.
After a long voyage across the world, Humza and Ranj arrive in London. The boys are greeted by a seemingly kind English gentleman, who ushers them into an inn. There they meet the innkeeper’s daughter, Daisy, who warns the boys to run, they’ve been taken by the child snatcher. And so begins a nail-biting adventure across London. Can the boys stay out of the clutches of the child snatcher? And can they ever find Dani and bring him back home?
Editor, Eloise Wilson said: “I’ve wanted to work with Sufiya for a long time. I love how she brings our shared history to life for young readers with her exciting and accessible writing style. When she came to me with this story of the child snatcher in 1860s London, I couldn’t resist. It’s packed full of wonderful characters, adventure and little-known history.”
Read the full article here
Posted on October 16, 2025