Cassandra Pelham Fulton and David Saylor at Scholastic have acquired world rights to two books by bestselling graphic novelist Raina Telgemeier, for the Graphix imprint. Share Your Smile: Raina's Guide to Telling Your Own Story, an interactive journal and how-to guide for creating comics, will be released on April 30, 2019, with a first printing of 500,000 copies. And in Telgemeier's new memoir Guts, following Smile and Sisters, young Raina wakes up one night with a terribly upset stomach. She eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows, but it soon becomes clear that her tummy trouble isn't going away. Guts will publish on September 10, 2019, with a first printing of one million copies. Judith Hansen of Hansen Literary Management brokered the deal.
Kathy Dawson at Penguin/Dawson has bought at auction, in a six-figure, two-book deal, Kat Ellis's Harrow Lake, a YA horror-thriller in which the daughter of a famous movie director is swept up in real-life terror when she's sent to the sinister small town where his most iconic movie was filmed, and she questions whether she'll ever get out alive. Publication is set for summer 2020; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights. U.K./Commonwealth and translation rights were preempted by Emma Jones at Penguin Random House Children's UK in a six-figure deal.
Emily Easton at Crown has acquired a YA fantasy duology by Scott Reintgen (Nyxia), beginning with Ashlords. In the first book, three clashing cultures come together for the world's most prestigious event: phoenix horse racing. Horses in the breed live for a day, riding impossible distances before bursting into flames at night; to be crowned champion, riders must use alchemy to summon their horse back to life at sunrise. The story follows three riders—a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son—as they reach for their own dreams of glory. Kristin Nelson at Nelson Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Patrice Caldwell at Disney-Hyperion has bought, at auction, debut author Mara Fitzgerald's YA fantasy duology, beginning with The Walls in the Ruby Sky. When a queer socialite (accidentally) kills the one person in Occhia who can create water—water that's sourced from citizens' blood using a powerful magic—she journeys to discover the origins of the magic, and take it for herself, before everyone dies of thirst. Publication for the first book is slated for summer 2020; Carrie Pestritto at Laura Dail Literary Agency did the two-book, six-figure deal for world English rights.
Julie Rosenberg at Razorbill has acquired, in a preempt, journalist Hayley Krischer's debut novel, Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf, about the complicated and unlikely friendship that develops between two girls desperate to take the power back in their own lives. Told in alternating POVs, the novel follows Ali, a high school junior reeling from a recent sexual assault perpetrated by Sean, a boy she's always had a crush on, and Blythe, a popular senior—and Sean's longtime friend—who tries to gain Ali's trust in hopes of dissuading her from turning Sean in. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Emily Sylvan Kim at Prospect Agency brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Cindy Loh at Bloomsbury has bought debut author Tiffany Rosenhan's Hummingbird, a YA novel pitched as Red Sparrow meets One of Us Is Lying. The story follows 15-year-old Sophia, who after years cultivating combat and language skills abroad with her diplomat parents relocates to Montana for a "normal" high school life. But her past is not as far behind her as she thinks. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Claire Stetzer will edit. Webster Stone negotiated the deal for world rights.
Hannah VanVels at Blink has acquired a YA novel by Annie Sullivan called The Lady and the Tiger, a reimaging of Frank Stockton's 1882 short story. The book follows Princess Kateri as she fights suitors in an arena to win the right to rule her desert kingdom while also dealing with water thieves—only to discover she may have to team up with those thieves to win her throne. Publication is set for fall 2019, and will be followed by Sullivan's sequel to A Touch of Gold, titled A Curse of Gold, in fall 2020; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis did the two-book deal for world rights.
Monica Jean at Delacorte has preempted debut author KayLynn Flanders's Shielded, a YA fantasy about a princess hiding a magical secret in a kingdom ravaged by war. The key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, is also the very secret that could destroy her. Publication for the first book is scheduled for summer 2020; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS brokered the deal for world English rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Carolrhoda has bought Girls on the Line author Jennie Liu's untitled YA novel about 19-year-old Na, who has grown up in rural China while her parents lived and worked in the city. When her younger brother—the favored child, who moved to the city with her parents—dies unexpectedly, she sets out to learn what happened to him and uncovers more family secrets than she bargained for. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Karen Wojtyla at S&S/McElderry has acquired debut author Loriel Ryon's Into the Tall, Tall Grass, a magical realism story in which two sisters and their friends must venture through the mysterious grass inexplicably sprouting up in the desert, in order to bring their dying grandmother to the last pecan tree on their land and unravel the secrets behind their family's complicated past. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Kristy Hunter at the Knight Agency sold world English rights.
Abigail McAden at Scholastic has bought U.S. and U.K. rights to the first two books in the Ninja Kid series, as well as the first four Weirdo books by Australian comedian Anh Do. Do’s sales exceed two million copies in Australia, including an autobiography titled The Happiest Refugee, which details his escape from Vietnam, and his third kids’ series, Hot Dog! In Ninja Kid, Nelson’s a nerd, but when he wakes up on his 10th birthday, he discovers he’s suddenly a Ninja. In Weirdo, Weir Do is the new kid in school; with an unforgettable name, a crazy family, and some seriously weird habits, fitting in is not easy—but it is funny. Al Zuckerman at Writers House did the deal.
Emilia Rhodes at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has acquired, in a four-book preempt, author Jennifer Li Shotz’s new middle grade series, American Dog. A collection of adventure-filled stand-alone novels, each book features a rescued dog discovering a new "leash" on life through friendship, loyalty, and the joy of finding a forever home. The series launches with the first two books in spring 2020, with the next to follow in fall 2020; Josh Bank and Hayley Wagreich at Alloy Entertainment negotiated the deal for world rights.
Cheryl Eissing at Philomel has bought Pages & Co.: Tilly and the Bookwanderers, first in a middle grade series by Anna James. The book features Tilly (Matilda) Pages, a girl who lives with her grandparents above their small bookstore and realizes she has the ability to "bookwander"—travel inside books. The book is set for fall 2019; Carla Alonzi at HarperCollins UK brokered the three-book deal for U.S. and open market rights, excluding Canada.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Greetings from Witness Protection! author Jake Burt’s Cleo Porter and the Body Electric, a middle grade sci-fi novel about a girl, her virtual teacher, a floating skull racing against the clock, and the dangers of their post-apocalyptic world to deliver an essential package. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Rebecca Stead at the Book Group handled the two-book deal for world English rights.
Gina Gagliano at Random House Graphic has bought two graphic novels for young readers by Mika Song: Donut Feed the Squirrels and a sequel. Both books tell the story of Norma and Belly, two squirrels whose only sustenance comes from acorns... until a donut truck moves to their park and they plan a heist to try out this exciting new food. Publication is scheduled to begin in 2020; Erica Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio sold North American rights.
Liz Kossnar at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to a new middle grade novel by Quinn Sosna-Spear, author of The Remarkable Inventions of Walter Mortinson. Pitched as The Golden Compass meets The House with a Clock in Its Walls, The Thirteenth Hour follows 12-year-old Andrew, who can use his curious pocket watch to travel to one of 12 different worlds, depending on what hour he falls asleep. Publication is slated for spring 2020; John M. Cusick at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management brokered the deal.
Nancy Paulsen has bought, in a preempt, Lisa Fipps’s Starfish for her eponymous imprint at Penguin. The middle grade debut in verse follows Ellie’s journey as she struggles to stand up for herself in a society that belittles fat girls. Publication is set for 2020; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Greg Hunter at Lerner Graphic Universe has acquired Olivia Stephens's debut graphic novel, Artie. Artemis "Artie" Irvin is a 12-year-old girl with a love of photography and a fierce streak of independence, who's just discovered she comes from a family of werewolves. As she navigates her new reality, school bullies, and a first crush, she's also determined to find out how her human father died—and learns she isn't the scariest thing in the woods. Publication is expected in 2021; Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management sold world rights.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has acquired world rights, in a preempt, to Ollie & Harry’s Marvellous Adventures by Ollie (l.) and Harry Ferguson (ages five and eight, respectively)—the Scottish brothers behind the popular Facebook page "The Days Are Just Packed," which chronicles their ongoing list of 500 adventures. Blending classic outdoors fun with quirky applications of makerspace tech, the activity book shows readers how Ollie and Harry pulled off their best adventures, from building an igloo to photographing their Lego figures in space. The book will be co-authored with their father, MacNeill Ferguson, working in collaboration with Garry Jenkins. The book is planned for fall 2019 on the Norton Young Readers debut list; Lucy V. Cleland at Kneerim & Williams represented the project.
Amanda Shih at Scholastic has bought, in a preempt, Chance Comes Once by Meredith Davis (l.) and Rebeka Uwitonze. The middle grade narrative nonfiction follows Uwitonze’s inspiring journey from Rwanda to the U.S. at age nine, where she lived with the Davis family while receiving corrective surgery for her club feet. Publication is slated for 2019; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Trident Media Group did the deal for North American rights.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has acquired world rights, at auction, to The Alpactory and an untitled picture book by author-illustrator Ruth Chan. The first book is about a factory of alpacas who come to the rescue to help with new experiences. Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House negotiated the deal on behalf of the author-illustrator.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has bought world rights to Julius and Mouse by debut author-illustrator Annelouise Mahoney, a picture book about two friends who set off to capture the Night Goblin. The projected pub date is summer 2020; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Alexa Pastor at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to This Is MY Room!, a picture book by Jennifer Richard Jacobson (l.), illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis. The book tells the story of a girl named JoJo, whose first night in her very own room gets derailed by a menagerie of animals, including a persistent tiger with a good reason for ignoring her sign that he is not allowed. Publication is slated for summer 2019; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Trident Media Group represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Erin Stein at Imprint has bought world rights to Norene Paulson’s (l.) Bennie’s True Colors, a story about a bat who knows he’s really a butterfly on the inside. Anne Passchier will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2020. Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook Press has acquired world rights to If We Weren’t Here by John Coy, which explores whether the Earth needs humans and what it would be like if we were no longer here. Natalie Capannelli will illustrate in her picture book debut; publication is set for spring 2020, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Adams at Sounds True has bought world rights to Our Day, a picture book by Deborah Hopkinson (l.) that tells the story of one small family's active day of mindful living. Shirley Ng-Benitez will illustrate; publication is scheduled for spring 2020. Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to Shubh Diwali! by Chitra Soundar (l.), the story of a multigenerational family preparing for and celebrating the festival of lights. Charlene Chua will illustrate; the projected pub date is fall 2019. Abi Sparrow at SP Literary represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
