Lisa Sandell at Scholastic has acquired a middle-grade trilogy from Jennifer A. Nielsen, author of The False Prince and its sequel, The Runaway King. The new series follows a boy in ancient Rome where powerful forces struggle for control of a hidden magic; the boy becomes embroiled in a fight for freedom, survival, and the safety of the future. The first volume, The Praetor War, will be published in 2015; Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has acquired three books in screenwriter Jordan Stratford's new middle-grade Wollstonecraft series, a history–mystery mash-up. In the books, Ada Byron and Mary Shelley meet as girls and form the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency: a private and secret constabulary for the apprehension of clever criminals. The first book will pub in spring 2015, followed by one per year. Heather Schroder at ICM did the deal for world rights.
Patrick Price at Simon Pulse has signed up two contemporary teen romances by Sarah Ockler (Twenty Boy Summer and Fixing Delilah). The first book, Love & Other Internet Disasters, tells of a 17-year-old girl caught in a compromising situation with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night, only to have the evidence go viral. Publication is scheduled for spring 2014; Ted Malawer at Upstart Crow Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low Books has bought North American English and Spanish rights for middle grade fantasy/mystery Zilombo by Susan Gates from Random House U.K. When Jin's baby brother is kidnapped by a monster, Jin teams up with Chief Inspector of Ancient Artifacts A.J. Zauyamakanda (Mizz Z for short) to save him. Gates is the author of more than 100 books in the U.K; the book is scheduled for fall 2013 under the Tu Books imprint.
Ken Wright at Viking has acquired a picture book autobiography by Dr. Tererai Trent, named by Oprah Winfrey as her "all-time favorite guest" in May 2011. The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can will recount her story of growing up in poverty in Zimbabwe, where girls have few educational opportunities, to realizing her dreams to get an education in America and help other girls in Africa learn to read and write. Coretta Scott King Medal Jan Spivey Gilchrist will illustrate. A fall 2014 release is planned; some of the proceeds from the book will benefit Dr. Trent's nonprofit foundation. Erin Murphy of Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights for both author and illustrator.
Andrea Spooner at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has acquired Printz Honor author A.S. King's Glory O'Brien's History of the Future, in which a graduating senior struggles with growing apart from her two best friends as all three of them begin having strange and powerful visions of divergent, infinite futures. Publication is scheduled for fall 2014; Michael Bourret at Dystel & Goderich did the deal for world English rights.
Lisa Sandell at Scholastic Press has acquired Forever or Never, a debut middle-grade novel by Adrienne Maria Vrettos. After 11-year-old Hattie witnesses a public defriending in the school cafeteria, she convinces her three best friends to sign a loyalty pact. But when Hattie unwittingly breaks it, the pact’s magic causes her friends to forget who she is. Publication is scheduled for 2014; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low Books has acquired North American English and Spanish rights to the YA fantasy Drift by debut author M.K. Hutchins. In the book, Tenjat decides to save his family from poverty by joining the island's Handlers, who have the dangerous job of protecting their island – a giant turtle – from the "naga" monsters that surround them. Publication is sent for spring 2014, under the Tu Books imprint; the Ashley Grayson Agency brokered the deal.
