Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has secured a new deal with award-winning author Jenny Valentine, for a new series of middle grade diaries, as well as a young adult novel.

Managing director Rachel Denwood acquired world rights in all languages from Veronique Baxter. The books will be illustrated by Hannah McCaffery.

The first book in the series, The Unfamous Diaries of Daisy Brewster: The Frenemies, will publish in paperback on 3 July this year, followed by two more instalments in 2026. Valentine’s previous books with Simon & Schuster, the Joy series and Us in the Before and After, have been widely acclaimed and sold in 11 languages.

Daisy Brewster is a girl with resolutions. She is determined to be her best self and get a good part in the school play. Everyone knows Daisy is a talented actor. But not everyone knows about her super celebrity cousin, who is already breaking hearts and winning contracts on the world stage.

Maxxy Bloom is a child star in Hollywood, with A-List friends, a million followers and a glamorous, lavish lifestyle. Things are about to change in all sorts of ways when she comes to stay at Daisy’s house.

Daisy fears the worst, for her routine, her personal space, her popularity and her own dramatic ambitions. But the real Maxxy Bloom turns out to be a big surprise, and Daisy’s very unfamous life has an unexpected effect on her guest.

Told through Daisy’s private diary, this is a story about family, ambition and how nice it is NOT to be famous.

Valentine said: “It has been a total joy to write Daisy’s diaries. From day one, she leaped off the page with her dry sense of humour and keen eye for life’s little details. She is smart and ambitious, kind and observant, funny and honest. I can’t wait for readers to meet her.”