Natashya Wilson at Harlequin Teen acquired a new series by Julie Kagawa, author of the Blood Eden and Iron Fey series, in a seven-figure, multibook deal. Harlequin said the new books will offer mythical creatures in a contemporary setting. The first book in the series is set for 2015. Iron Fey unfolds over five books and three novellas and has been published in more than 20 countries; film rights to Blood Eden have been optioned by Palomar Pictures. Agent Laurie McLean at Larsen Pomada Literary sold world rights.
Michelle Poploff at Delacorte has acquired at auction a humorous middle-grade debut by Dana Alison Levy called The Family Furnival. It's a contemporary story about a family of four boys, three pets, and two dads, whose new school year is anything but typical. Publication is set for fall 2014. Marietta Zacker of Nancy Gallt Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Calista Brill at First Second Books has bought The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza by James Kochalka, a graphic novel for young readers from the Eisner-winning cartoonist. In the story, Kochalka introduces a not very bright intergalactic hero, and follows him on a quest to deliver a pizza. The unagented book will be published in winter 2014.
Rosemary Brosnan at HarperTeen acquired North American rights to Girls Evolved, a debut novel by Alexis Bass. The story follows a 17-year-old girl and her best friends, who have made it to second semester senior year heartbreak-free, until Nathan Diggs moves to town and changes everything. The book will pub in fall 2014; Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary and Media was the agent.
Krista Vitola at Delacorte has acquired two books (as yet untitled) by Colleen Houck, author of the bestselling Tiger's Curse series. The story follows teenager Lilliana Young, whose visit to an Egyptian exhibit brings her face to face with a recently awakened mummy-turned-handsome-sun-god. The first book's projected pub date is spring 2015; Alex Glass at Trident Media Group brokered the deal for North American rights.
Patrick Nielsen Hayden at Tor Starscape has acquired The Island in the Sky, a debut YA novel plus a sequel by SF author Tobias S. Buckell (Halo: The Cole Protocol). The book follows a Caribbean boy, Kadie, who gets the opportunity to travel to the stars when a starship arrives on Earth offering lottery slots to volunteers in exchange for leaving alien diplomats behind. Publication is tentatively set for winter 2014. Joe Monti at Barry Goldblatt Literary did the deal for North American rights.
Laura Godwin of Henry Holt has bought world rights to debut author/illustrator Mike Curato's Little Elliott, Big City, as well as two more picture books about the title character, in a three-book deal. The first book will be published in fall 2014. Curato won the SCBWI Illustrator's Award at last year's Winter Conference, where his portfolio featured images of Elliott, a small, gentle, polka-dotted elephant who lives in a Brooklyn brownstone. Brenda Bowen of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates did the deal.
Alison Weiss at Egmont has acquired world English rights to debut author Kristen Lippert-Martin's Tabula Rasa. In this contemporary YA thriller, a 16-year-old girl held in an isolated research hospital undergoes a forced experimental treatment to erase all recollection of her past. But when the procedure goes awry, she must face off against mercenaries sent to eliminate her once and for all. The projected pub date is fall 2014; Molly Jaffa at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management brokered the deal.
