Kristen Pettit at HarperTeen has acquired world rights to Dividing Eden, a fantasy duology by Joelle Charbonneau, author of the Testing trilogy. Pitched as Red Queen meets East of Eden, the series follows a pair of royal siblings who are forced to compete for the crown. Publication for the first book is slated for summer 2017; Stacia Decker of Dunow Carlson & Lerner brokered the deal.
Brian Geffen at Philomel has preempted a debut YA fantasy by Julie C. Dao in a six-figure, three-book deal. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is a reimagining of the evil queen from Snow White based on Asian folklore and mythology. In order to become Empress of Feng Lu, Xifeng must unleash a jealous god on the world and set free the viciousness of her own soul. Publication is set for fall 2017; Tamar Rydzinski at the Laura Dail Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Pam Gruber at Little, Brown has bought The Iron Flowers, a YA fantasy series by Tracy Banghart, in a preempt. In a world where women have no rights, two sisters face very different fates: one in the palace, another in a prison. Both are desperate to escape their cages and reunite – but in a world this dangerous, one wrong move could cost them everything. Publication of the first book, also called The Iron Flowers, is planned for spring 2018; Joelle Hobeika and Eliza Swift at Alloy Entertainment did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has acquired a debut YA novel, Mayfly, and an untitled sequel, written by Jeff Sweat. In a chaotic world where parents have died out, where teens can't expect to live past 16 and must propagate before their inevitable "end," Jemma flees her tribe with three friends and learns about the "Old Guys" – men and women who can't die – who may hold the secret to reversing the early demises. Publication forMayfly is scheduled for 2018; Cheryl Pientka of Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold North American rights.
Jean Feiwel at Feiwel and Friends has bought world rights to four books in a spinoff series to My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish by Mo O'Hara, illustrated by Marek Jagucki. My Epically Evil Vampire Kitten follows older brother Mark to Evil Scientist Summer Camp, where he competes against other aspiring villains while trying to hide his sharp-fanged kitten. Book 1: Survival of the Furriest is slated for spring 2018. Also included in the five-book deal is My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish: The Paranormal Pets Fun Book, featuring characters from both series, slated for fall 2017. Gemma Cooper at the Bent Agency represented the author; the illustrator was unagented.
Maria Barbo at Katherine Tegen Books has acquired Wedgie and Gizmo, an illustrated middle grade series by Suzanne Selfors (l.) pitched asTom and Jerry meets My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish; Barbara Fisinger will illustrate. The books are narrated by two furry frenemies, a delusional guinea pig who thinks he's an evil genius and a loveable corgi who thinks he's a superhero. The first book is planned for summer 2017. Michael Bourret at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management negotiated the three-book deal for world rights; the illustrator was unagented.
Paige Hazzan at Scholastic has bought a new biography series by Jenni L. Walsh called Brave Like Me, stories about strong, brave young women intended for middle graders. The series will launch with two books, about surfer Bethany Hamilton and Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, which will pub simultaneously in fall 2018. The deal was for North American rights; Stacey Glick at Dystel & Goderich did the deal for North American rights.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle Books has acquired, in a seven–house auction, author-illustrator Sarah Jacoby's debut picture book, Forever or a Day, a meditation on time in the tradition of Margaret Wise Brown and Virginia Lee Burton. Publication is set for spring 2018; Steven Malk at Writers House brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Celia Lee at Cartwheel Books has bought world rights to Joyce Wan's Goodnight, Sweetie, a board book in rhyme about objects commonly associated with bedtime, and two other untitled board books. Publication is scheduled for 2017; Teresa Kietlinski of Bookmark Literary negotiated the deal.
Neal Porter at Roaring Brook's Neal Porter Books has acquired world rights to Water Is Water duo Miranda Paul and Jason Chin's Nine Months, a picture book that chronicles the development of a baby from embryo to birth. Publication is slated for winter 2019; Karen Grencik of Red Fox Literary represented Paul and Chin represented himself.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin's Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to Baby-Boo, I Love You, a return collaboration between author Sheryl Haft (l.) and illustrator Jane Massey. In the picture book, an imaginative girl emulates a parent's never-ending love by playing mommy with her doll. Publication is set for May 2017; Trina Storfer at Mixed Media Group represented the author; the illustrator represented herself.
Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids has acquired world rights to a picture book by debut author Margaret Greanias (l.), called Maximillian Villainous, illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow. In the story, a tenderhearted monster simply cannot behave in the tradition of his villainous family, especially when he becomes smitten with a bunny. Publication is scheduled for August 2018; Rick Richter at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth represented the author and Christina Tugeau of Catugeau Agency represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman has bought Dan Brewer (center) and Paul Paolilli's picture book, Nightlights, to be illustrated by Alice Brereton, a journey into the nocturnal world. Publication is planned for spring 2017; Becca Stumpf at Prospect Agency represented the authors and Emily Coggins at Astound represented the illustrator.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired Vroom, Roar!, a picture book written and illustrated by Maddie Frost, which imagines a different kind of hybrid on wheels: the animal-vehicle. Publication is slated for summer 2018; Alli Brydon of Bright USA negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Andrea Hall at Albert Whitman has bought Lisa Amstutz's Applesauce Day, about a child who learns the significance of an old pot while participating in the family tradition of making applesauce. It's scheduled for spring 2017; Victoria Selvaggio at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency sold world rights.
