Emily Knight I am… Becoming

The next book in the Emily Knight series for middle grade/young teens is officially confirmed for release on 17th September 2020! The eagerly anticipated third book follows the incredible success of Emily Knight I am... Awakened, which released in September 2017 and has since received a prestigious Carnegie nomination and enjoyed first place in the London’s BIG Read 2019.

Homecoming. Sacrifice. Family. Fire.

The Knights are finally reunited and ready to defeat Neci once and for all. But Neci is one step ahead and is targeting them one by one. When one of Emily's best friends is kidnapped, Emily leads the elite team on a rescue mission, but nothing can prepare them for what Neci has planned...

A.Bello is an award-winning author and publishing entrepreneur, born and raised in London, where she still lives and works. In 2018, Abiola was named ‘Trailblazer of the Year’ by London Book Fair. Abiola wrote her first novel at the age of eight – when she fought monsters and dragons on a daily basis – and experienced her first taste of ‘being published’ after winning a school poetry competition at the age of 12. Seeing her words in print fuelled a passion for writing that remains to this day. The first incarnation of the Emily Knight story can be traced back almost 20 years; Abiola wanted to fill the gaping hole in children’s fiction for an inspirational, strong, black, female, young protagonist. This ‘gap’ in publishing remains in today’s publishing world despite continued calls for more BAME authors and diversity within characters and plotlines. She is the founder of The Lil' Author School and co-founder of The Author School (shortlisted for The Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2016 and celebrating its fifth birthday in 2020). A. Bello is regularly asked to contribute to the media; she has been featured in About Time Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Female First, Daily Mirror, BBC1XTRA, The Bookseller, The British Blacklist, Melan Magazine, London Post, and many more. Abiola is also a regular at literary festivals and gives talks to children in primary and secondary schools, as well as to young writers and people wishing to get into the publishing business. • #WeNeedDiverseBooks • Representation in Middle Grade/Young Teen Fiction • Powerful female protagonists • Diversity in fiction for children and teenagers • Third book in a trilogy that has grown from strength to strength over the past three years!

Praise for A. Bello and the Emily Knight series:

‘Emily Knight is back in all her brilliant, brave glory! She’s a fabulously inspirational heroine of colour, a girl who’s not afraid to take on even the most perilous of missions. An action-packed race against time soon kicks-off, with lively, engaging dialogue peppering the pacy plot, and some heart-warming moments of love and friendship running alongside the drama.’

LoveReading4Schools

‘This is a great fantasy story for older mid-grade readers, teens, and anyone else that loves young adult fantasy. I love where this story is progressing and I can’t wait to read the next book.’

JBronder Book Reviews

‘Another enjoyable thing about this series is its diversity. There is such a gap in diverse representation in publishing and while it’s improving, it has a way to go. Not only is Emily a diverse character but so are her friends.’

The Contented Reader

‘A thrilling adventure, sizzling with magic.’

Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

‘I was like “Where is book 3? Please don’t leave me hanging like this! Emily Knight I am. . . Awakened is the kind of novel that I really wanted growing up.’

Just Read It Reviews

‘If you haven’t checked out this series for you or your children then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!? Go check it out now and see why I love this series!’

Popthebutterfly Reviews

‘A. Bello represents the long-awaited evolution of diversity in the literature world. Creating a character like Emily Knight who provides YA readers of colour their own heroine to look up to! Really excited about this series!’

The British Blacklist

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