Alessandra Balzer, while at HarperCollins, acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar by National Book Award finalist Sonora Reyes (The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School), which follows Cesar Flores as he comes to terms with his sexuality, his new bipolar diagnosis, and more mistakes than he can count. Cesar hides a fair amount of shame behind jokes and his "gifted" reputation, but when a manic episode makes his inner turmoil impossible to hide, he is faced with a stark choice: burn every bridge he has left, or worse—ask for help. Carolina Mancheno Ortiz will edit for publication in fall 2025; Alexandra Levick at Writers House did the deal for North American rights.


Kate Meltzer at Roaring Brook Press has bought, in a preempt, Soulmates, a YA graphic novel by debut author David Wilson (illustrator of middle grade graphic memoir Play Like a Girl). To everyone else, 17-year-old golden boy Kit Summers has it all figured out. But when he starts having premonitions of death, he must find a way to stop them—while navigating new feelings for an old friend who has dark secrets of her own—before his life spirals out of control. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Daniel Lazar at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.


Anjali Bisaria at Scholastic has acquired Sylvia Liu's Stealing the Score, a World Cup-themed middle grade novel, in which three 13-year-old soccer aficionados—a competitive player, an online gamer, and a social media influencer—join forces to win a scavenger hunt and solve the disappearance of an international soccer star. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal for North American English rights.


Anna Parsons at Aladdin has bought The Undead War by Damara Allen, a post-apocalyptic middle grade novel about a girl gathering oral histories of what happened during the Undead War, while her community faces the threat of another outbreak. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.


Katie Ten Hagen at Magination Press has acquired world rights to My Amazing Brain: Dyslexia by YA author and neuroscientist Rachael Allen, illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas. This middle grade nonfiction graphic novel encourages and empowers neurodivergent kids while demystifying the science behind how their brains work, and is told by a girl with dyslexia, her dolphin sidekick, and Professor Cat, a pompous brain expert with plans of world domination. Publication is set for spring 2026; Susan Hawk at Upstart Crow Literary represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.


Anna Bloom at Scholastic has bought Magic Gems by IPPY Gold Award-winner Payal Doshi, a four-book chapter book series following a group of friends who protect people and animals with magical gemstones. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.


Susan Rich at Little, Brown has acquired If We Were Dogs, a picture book by two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall, in which a marvelous game of pretend is unleashed, exploring how friendship is navigated and celebrating boundless imagination. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Nancy Gallt at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.


Tara Walker at Tundra Books has bought This Book Is Dangerous! and a second untitled picture book by Narwhal & Jelly creator Ben Clanton. Jelly is plunged into the first of an interactive picture book series in which he finds himself swimming into one danger after another… especially the reader. Publication is set for summer 2025; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency handled the deal for North American rights.


Erica Finkel at Abrams has acquired The Playground Book by Thyra Heder (How Do You Dance?), a guide to a city's varied playgrounds from a kid's discerning perspective ("Tons of splinters but WORTH IT!"). Publication is planned for spring 2026; Stephen Barr at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.


Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Just Jelly by author-illustrator Jacob Souva, a picture book about a jellyfish who learns that he is actually not a fish, and the star-shaped echinoderm who helps Jelly realize what he could be in a sea of possibilities. Publication is slated for winter 20


Emma Ledbetter at Abrams has acquired world rights to Three Pieces of Broken Glass by Emily Barth Isler (l.), illustrated by Vesper Stamper, about a conversation between a Jewish girl and her great-grandmother who—through three pieces of broken glass saved from points in her immigration from Germany to America—shares her life story, based on Isler's family history. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency represented the author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.


Celia Lee at Simon and Schuster has bought world English rights to The Sun Wants to Play by Geisel Honor author Vikram Madan (l.), illustrated by Jashar Awan, a picture book collection of short poems traversing a child's outdoor experiences through the seasons via the sun shining on bugs and beaches, summer storms and snowy nights, leaf piles and spring flowers, and more. It's scheduled for spring 2027, Rosemary Stimola represented the author and Erica Rand Silverman represented the illustrator, both at Stimola Literary Studio.


Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has acquired world rights to Can Whales See the Stars? by Bruce Balan (l.), illustrated by Christopher Thornock. In this philosophical picture book, a curious kid embarks on a seafaring adventure, with a canine ship captain and a feline first mate, to answer the titular question. Publication is set for summer 2027; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink represented the author, and Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the illustrator.


Dena Neusner at Apples & Honey Press has bought world rights to Claudia Said Sí! The Story of Mexico's First Woman President by Deborah Bodin Cohen (l.) (Lilith's Ark) and Kerry Olitzky (c.); Carlos Velez Aguilera (r.) will illustrate. This picture book is about the life of Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman and first Jewish president of Mexico, who was elected in June 2024. It's slated for fall 2025; the authors represented themselves, and Kate Powell at Astound US represented the illustrator.


Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to the board book A Party of Colors by Aya Khalil (l.), and Bayan Lahham (c.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Olivia Aserr (r.). It's Salem's first trip to the car wash with Baba, and Salem explores sights and sounds, learns the steps for the car to get clean, and observes color mixing in action. Publication is planned for fall 2026 as part of Steamworks; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the authors, and Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.