The Boy Lost in the Maze

Powerful, playful and poignant in equal parts, The Boy Lost in the Maze skilfully interweaves the myth of Theseus with the modern coming-of-age story of Theo. Every word is carefully wrought in these astonishing narrative poems which reward reading, re-reading and reflection. * Jacke Hope *An all-consuming tale of the quests of two boys told in verse… thanks to Coelho’s mesmerising way with words and bold imagination, the two worlds are bridged effortlessly… Coelho allows each boy’s life to complement the other while reminding us that the answers to the stories’ central question - what is a man? - remain the same, in myth and modernity. * The Times - Children’s Book of the Week *A gritty and innovative intertwining of Theseus and the Minotaur with a modern-day quest blends 20 chapters of dual narrative poetry with illustrator Kate Milner’s abstract forms and revitalised Greek motifs. Personal, accessible and memorable, Theo’s journey of self-discovery is highly relatable and will resonate. A landmark coming-of-age verse novel, The Boy Lost in the Maze is ideal to read and discuss with students in years 9-11. Highly recommended for KS4 libraries. * Tom Tolkien, School Reading List - Fiction Book of the Month *

Joseph Coelho’s debut poetry collection Werewolf Club Rules won the CLPE CLiPPA Poetry Award 2015. As well as poetry and plays, Joseph also writes picture books and non-fiction books. All of his work has poetry and an element of performance at its heart making his festival and school sessions dynamic occasions. Joseph is a staunch ambassador for Britain’s straitened public libraries. He lives in Kent. Joseph became the Waterstones Children’s Laureate in 2022.

Kate Milner studied illustration at Central St Martin’s before completing an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University. Kate won the V&A Illustration Award 2016 and the Klaus Flugge Prize 2018 for My name is not Refugee. Her book It’s a No-Money Day was shortlisted for the Greenaway Medal.