Andersen Press have acquired world rights for the debut middle-grade fiction novel Ride North by Maria de Jong, a magical-realist adventure story set in de Jong’s native New Zealand.
Ride North sees twelve-year-old Folly angry and grieving for her mum. She isn’t ready for Dad’s plans for a new life in Auckland with his new girlfriend. So Folly runs away with the one person who truly understands: her wise pony, Tooth. With her mother’s ashes in her backpack, Folly sets off to the fabled Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand. Through tourist towns and wilderness, across beaches, roads and forest tracks, Folly and Tooth find both adventure and hardship. But then a spur-of-the-moment choice sets danger on their tail. Girl and horse must fight to survive together – to the very end of the road.
World rights including audio were purchased in a one-book deal by Chloe Sackur, Senior Commissioning Editor, Fiction at Andersen Press from Maria’s agent Catherine Pellegrino at Marjacq Scripts.
Early praise for Ride North
‘I loved this: funny, quirky, exciting and moving. Folly and Tooth are a great double-act. If you’re a horse person you’ll adore it; if you’re not a horse person, it’ll turn you into one’
– Anthony McGowan
‘A poignant and tender story of love, loss, friendship and hope. Tooth is quite possibly the most engaging ‘talking pony’ I’ve ever encountered in fiction. The ending was perfect – made me laugh and cry simultaneously’
– Tanya Landman
‘A powerful, wise and gripping story from a wonderful new voice in children’s literature. Ride North is a beautiful tale of love, courage and the unique bond between a girl and her horse. It deserves a place alongside the classic horse and pony stories’
– Annelise Gray
‘A surreal, poignant and punchy MG novel, that lovers of adventure, horses and family dramas will devour. I love the adventure and the magic, but in the end it’s the emotional heart and punch and – no spoilers – family resolution, that lift this great middle-grade adventure’
– Chris Vick
Andersen Press will publish in Spring 2025 with a multi-faceted marketing and PR campaign, highlighting de Jong as a debut voice that needs to be read. This will kick-off in the late summer with early copies being sent far-and-wide for people to read.
Chloe Sackur, Senior Commissioning Editor, Fiction, Andersen Press has said of the book, “This unique debut novel combines honest, emotional drama with a sweeping adventure, set against the evocative backdrop of the New Zealand wilderness. We love twelve-year-old Folly’s convincing, frank voice and her relationship with the wise, sarcastic pony Tooth – if you think you’ve seen it all when it comes to MG animal stories, this one will startle and grip you to the very end. Maria’s a fabulous new talent, and we’re delighted to have her on the Andersen list.”
Author Maria de Jong adds, “A girl once told me that during a time of family turmoil her truest confidant had been her horse. She spoke as if they were on equal footing, which I liked a lot, but it wasn’t until years later that a wry-witted pony called Tooth ambled into my mind, very much his own boss. Then entered headstrong Folly, struggling to cope with great loss and change and determined to set things ‘right’. Ride North is about their mission to the tip of Aotearoa New Zealand. Road, forest, sea and sky form a vivid backdrop, but really this is a journey into the heartland of friendship. Stories are fitted with amazing homing devices to find the very best people to nurture them. Ride North found Chloe Sackur and the team at Andersen Press – perfect home!”
Ride North by Maria de Jong will be published in March 2025 in paperback.
