{"id":342428,"date":"2025-08-13T23:50:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T23:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/342428\/"},"modified":"2025-08-13T23:50:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T23:50:11","slug":"uqp-acquires-roccas-middle-grade-novel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/342428\/","title":{"rendered":"UQP acquires Rocca\u2019s middle-grade novel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\tThursday, 14 August 2025 \u00a0 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing<\/a><\/p>\n

UQP has acquired world rights to the debut middle-grade novel Joey and the Junjardy written by Allison Rocca and illustrated by Brenton E McKenna, in a deal brokered by Danielle Binks of Jacinta di Mase Management.<\/p>\n

Joey and the Junjardy follows 11 year old Joey \u2018who starts at a new school on Country and gains the attention of a Junjardy \u2013 a small hairy mischief-maker\u2019, said the publisher. \u2018When the practical jokes spiral out of control, Joey must figure out what the Junjardy is trying to tell him about being a strong Wakka Wakka boy.\u2019<\/p>\n

Based in Yuggera\/Turrbal Country in Brisbane, Rocca is a descendant of Wakka Wakka and Kaanju peoples. She works as a primary school teacher and \u2018likes to draw on the stories passed down by her highly respected Elder grandparents to write fiction for children and young adults\u2019, said the publisher.<\/p>\n

McKenna is a Yawuru artist and writer based in Broome. A fan of comic books since young, McKenna studied visual arts at Goulburn TAFE, and in 2011 became the first published Indigenous graphic novelist, releasing Ubby\u2019s Underdogs: The Legend of the Phoenix Dragon (Magabala Books). When he\u2019s not drawing, McKenna runs creative storytelling workshops for young people.<\/p>\n

UQP children\u2019s publisher Cathy Vallance said, \u2018I was hooked the moment I started reading. Joey\u2019s voice explodes off the page \u2013 he\u2019s cheeky, creative and full of wild antics. But the story also radiates with heart, through themes of second chances, belonging and caring for Country.\u2019<\/p>\n

Rocca said, \u2018This story \u2013 first told to me by my grandparents when I was a child \u2013 is one I\u2019ve always loved and dreamed of sharing with young readers. I\u2019m incredibly grateful to be working with the talented UQP team, who not only believe in the heart and soul of my story but also share my commitment to getting more books featuring First Nations voices into the hands of kids.\u2019<\/p>\n

McKenna said,\u00a0\u2018Finally! It\u2019s so good to see our First Nations folklore stories being told with a modern twist and a lot of cheek. I was honoured to be asked to illustrate Joey and the Junjardy. So many of our mob will identify with a lot of themes that resonate in all our communities in this book. There are so many deadly folklore stories from our mob would make great modern tales, and I believe this one by Allison Rocca is going to be one of them.\u2019<\/p>\n

UQP plans to publish Joey and the Junjardy in July 2026.<\/p>\n

Pictured: Allison Rocca.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Category: Local\u00a0news<\/a> Rights\u00a0and\u00a0acquisitions<\/a> <\/p>\n

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