Firefly commissions translation of multi-authored YA novel The Five

Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired World English rights in prize-winning, co-created YA novel The Five (Y Pump) from Welsh language publishers, Y Lolfa.

Originally published in Welsh as a series of five novellas, The Five was initiated by writer and producer Elgan Rhys, employing an innovative writing process which teamed up-and-coming authors with debut co-authors who had lived experience of the subject matter. The translation is currently being undertaken by one of the original authors, Mared Roberts, with input from the other authors.

The novel focusses on the friendship between five very different teenagers who find themselves thrown together at their school in north-west Wales. Tim, Tami, Aniq, Robyn and Cat fight for each other and their place in the world, in the face of provocation and occasionally challenging personal circumstances. Both embracing and subverting conventional coming-of-age narratives, The Five is a distinctive and relatable depiction of young adult life in Wales today.

Each novella was originally published with a prologue by 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal winner Manon Steffan Ros, who was a creative mentor on the original series. Read a a sneak peek of the English translation of Manon’s prologue here.

‘We were intrigued and impressed by the radical authorship process, and enthusiasm behind The Five,’ said Firefly publisher, Penny Thomas, ‘and we’re very pleased we will be able to bring this novel to an English-speaking readership.’

‘I am delighted to be collaborating with Firefly on expanding the world of these five characters and welcoming more readers into their lives,’ says Elgan Rhys. ‘Our joyous collaboration on the original series was an untested way of working, and it’s been humbling to see it be embraced by readers and the industry. I’m certain Mared’s adaptation will continue to inspire young people, particularly those who might not be used to seeing their experiences authentically portrayed.’

And Darren Chetty of Books for Keeps said, ‘I’m delighted that Y Pump will be translated into English. The Five depicts a diverse, modern Wales and has been written through a pioneering, collaborative approach that I hope might be adopted more widely in children’s and YA literature. It’s a multi-perspective story written by young authors immersed in both the genre and contemporary reality of the coming-of-age story.’

The novel is slated for publication in 2025.

Learn more about Y Pump here