Gina Gagliano at Random House Graphic has acquired two YA graphic novels by Tara O'Connor. Fly by Night tells the story of Dee, who suspects a magical creature may be responsible for her sister's mysterious disappearance. But in her investigation, she discovers that the culprit may be less supernatural than she fears. Publication is planned for 2020, with a second, untitled project to follow; Pete Ryan at Stimola Literary Studio sold North American rights.
Liesa Abrams at Simon Pulse has bought, in a preempt, Eva Gibson's debut YA novel, along with an untitled standalone YA novel. Lane's insomnia and recurring nightmares about her mother's death are exhausting enough—she's more than happy to keep emotions out of the equation when it comes to guys. But her deliberate indifference is threatened when her unrequited crush becomes her new stepbrother. The untitled standalone follows three teenagers who must navigate their broken relationship and the darkest of their small town's secrets to find one teen's missing sister. Publication of the first book is scheduled for summer/fall 2020, with the untitled standalone novel to follow; Christa Heschke at McIntosh and Otis negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has acquired a nonfiction YA book by author Wendelin Van Draanen (Flipped; Wild Bird), tentatively titled Hope in the Mail. The book weaves anecdotes about Van Draanen's life and career as an author with insights on writing and never losing faith in the potential of creative projects. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown brokered the deal for North American rights.
Trisha de Guzman at FSG has bought world rights to Julia Ember's YA fantasy novel Ruinsong, pitched as This Savage Song meets The Phantom of the Opera. Set in a world where magic is sung, a gifted teen girl is forced by a tyrannical queen to use her powerful voice to maintain control over a kingdom. Meanwhile her best friend, a girl who grew up in the palace with her, tries to encourage her to use her voice to fight back, all while the two wrestle with their feelings for each other. Publication is set for fall 2020; Eric Smith at P.S. Literary handled the deal.
Nancy Mercado at Dial has acquired Lexie Bean's debut #OwnVoices middle grade novel, The Ship We Built, which follows fifth-grader Rowan who, inspired by the support of his best friend Dóra and his teacher Mr. C, writes letters about embracing his trans identity, ties them to balloons, and releases them out into the world. Bean is a speaker and activist for trans rights and takes a particular focus on trans survivors of sexual assault. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Charlotte Sheedy and Kelsey Klosterman at the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Michelle Frey at Knopf has bought Suzanne Nelson's middle grade novel A Tale Magnolious: The Adventures of an Orphan, Her Elephant, and Some Rather Unusual Seeds. The magical adventure brings together two unlikely friends in the midst of a Midwestern dust storm, where they might either save their town or doom it forever. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Fire has acquired Kosoko Jackson's Yesterday Is History, pitched as Dear Martin meets More Happy Than Not. In the book, a contemporary gay teen mysteriously slips through time and lands in NYC on the eve of the Stonewall riots, where he meets a runaway whose future is in jeopardy. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Alyson Heller and Tricia Lin at Aladdin have bought Alexandra Ott's middle grade fantasy, Seekers of the Wild Realm, in which 12-year-old Bryn is determined to become her village's first female magical creature trainer, even if it means caring for a dragon in secret. Publication is set for summer 2020; Victoria Doherty Munro at Writers House did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Nancy Inteli and Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins have acquired world rights to Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team by Susan Hood (l.) and Patthana Sornhiran (center), a picture book based on the rescue of the Wild Boar soccer team from a flooded cave in Thailand. Hood (Ada's Violin) and journalist Sornhiran will base the text on Sornhiran's on-site reporting of the event. Dow Phumiruk (Counting on Katherine; Maya Lin) will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2019. Brenda Bowen at Greenburger Associates represented the authors, and Deborah Warren at East West Literary represented the illustrator.
Tara Walker and Samantha Swenson at Tundra Books have bought world rights to Emily Arrow's (l.) debut picture book, Studio, a celebration of all the places that artists and children create. The Little Friends of Printmaking (Melissa Buchanan, center, and James Buchanan) will illustrate; publication is scheduled for spring 2020. Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author.
Arianne Lewin at Putnam has acquired world rights to Stick and Stone author Beth Ferry's (l.) Tea Time, about a girl and her grandpa mixing up afternoon tea time with afternoon tee time. Dana Wulfekotte will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2021. Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties sold North American rights on behalf of the author, and Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency sold world rights on behalf of the illustrator.
Sonali Fry at Little Bee Books has bought world rights to Polka-Dot Parade creators Deborah Blumenthal (l.) and Masha D'yans's Parrots, Pugs, and Pixie Dust: A Book About Judith Leiber, the story of the iconic designer who turned purses into whimsical works of art. The book is set for fall 2019; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the author and the illustrator.
Groundwood Books has acquired world rights to author Helaine Becker's (l.) picture book Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao, about the real-life pirate queen of the South China Sea. Liz Wong will illustrate. The text was originally acquired by the late publisher Sheila Barry; the book will be edited by Emma Sakamoto. Publication is planned for March 2020; Sally Keefe Cohen represented the author, and Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.
Maria Barbo at HarperCollins/Tegen has bought world rights to Bubbles…UP!, a picture book by The Lemonade War author Jacqueline Davies (l.), illustrated by Sonia Sánchez. Using shaped poetry, the book explores the joys (and dangers) to be found on a sunny afternoon at a crowded city pool. Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; the author represented herself, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the illustrator.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired Carole Boston Weatherford's By and By, Charles Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music, a biography told in free verse incorporating lyrics from spirituals and hymns. Bryan Collier will illustrate; the pub date is set for spring 2020. Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content sold world rights on behalf of the author, and Marcia Wernick at Wernick & Pratt Agency sold North American rights on behalf of the artist.
Jeffrey Salane at Little Simon has bought world rights to Salina Yoon's new novelty series, Wag My Tail, which invites readers to wag different animals’ tails using a simple sturdy pull tab. The first title, Halloween Kitty, is slated for summer 2019, followed by Easter Bunny and Christmas Kitty. Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the three-book deal.
Kristen Nobles at Page Street Kids has acquired debut author-illustrator Rob Justus's Kid Coach, a humorous role reversal tale in which Kid Coach must help Dad learn about wrestling, good sportsmanship, and the true meaning of being a champion. Publication is planned for 2020, with a second, untitled picture book to follow in 2021. Molly O'Neill at Root Literary brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world English rights to A Flash of Color & Light: A Biography of Dale Chihuly by Sharon Mentyka (l.), illustrated by Shelley Couvillion. It's scheduled for fall 2020; the author was unagented, and Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben has acquired world rights to Tzivia MacLeod's (l.) picture book, Clarence's Topsy-Turvy Shabbat, illustrated by Jennie Poh. The book tells the story of Clarence, a raccoon who loves Shabbat, and his topsy-turvy process for preparing to celebrate the holiday. Publication is slated for spring 2020; the author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Claudia Gabel at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired, in a six-figure deal, Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun, a reimagining of the award-winning movie, written by novelist and Oscar-winning director/screenwriter Guillermo del Toro and author Cornelia Funke. The novel will feature black-and-white illustrations by Allen Williams, and 10 short stories that explore the folklore of del Toro's imaginative world. Publication is set for July 2019; Richard Abate and Gary Unger at Exile Entertainment negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Gina Gagliano at Random House Graphic has bought a YA graphic novel by Trung Le Nguyen, The Magic Fish. The book tells an intergenerational story of a mother and son struggling to relate to each other—the mother an immigrant to the United States who wants to make a home for her family in an unfamiliar country; the son trying to figure out the best way to come out to his parents. Through telling each other fairy tales, they're able to find common ground. Publication is scheduled for 2020; Kate McKean at Howard Morhaim Literary sold world rights.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired You'd Be Mine author Erin Hahn's More Than Maybe, about an aspiring teen music journalist who befriends the shy son of a former punk rocker; but when his love song about her accidentally goes viral, they're forced to decide how deep their feelings run and what it would mean to give love a try. Publication is planned for 2020; Kate McKean at Howard Morhaim Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has bought M.P. Kozlowsky's middle grade Rose Coffin, about a misfit girl who is thrilled to find herself transported to a surreal world of roving castles on wheels, dream cemeteries, and bridges so large they contain cities, until she discovers why the magical citizens are so thrilled to see her: she is the “chosen one” who's been prophesized to save them all—by sacrificing herself to the monster terrifying the kingdom. The novel is slated for summer 2019; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman did the deal for world rights.
Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has acquired Trowbridge Road by Marcella Pixley, author of Ready to Fall and Without Tess. Set in the early 1980s, the novel celebrates finding the courage to tell our secrets and explores how even a seemingly perfect neighborhood can contain restless ghosts. Publication is set for spring 2020; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/HSG negotiated the deal for world rights.
Emma Ledbetter at Atheneum has bought the graphic novel adaptation of James Howe's (l.) Bunnicula, the modern classic mystery about everyone's favorite vampire bunny, and a sequel. The text will be adapted by Illegal co-author Andrew Donkin (center), and illustrated by Teemu Juhani. Bunnicula will publish in fall 2019, followed by Howliday Inn in fall 2020; Amy Berkower at Writers House represented Howe; Sophie Hicks at the Sophie Hicks Agency represented Donkin; and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented Juhani, in the deal for North American English rights.
Margaret Raymo and Kwame Alexander at HMH/Versify have acquired world rights to a middle grade biography in verse of Muhammad Ali, written by Derrick Barnes (l.), illustrated by Gordon James. Barnes and James are the author-illustrator team behind the picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, which won Newbery and Caldecott Honors. The book is scheduled for spring 2021; the author and the artist were represented by Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency.
Namrata Tripathi at Penguin/Kokila has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to a picture-book biography by religion scholar and activist Simran Jeet Singh. The book celebrates the remarkable Fauja Singh, who set the record as the world's oldest marathoner at the age of 100, overcoming physical hardship in the face of racial discrimination; it will feature a foreword by Fauja Singh. Baljinder Kaur will illustrate; publication is planned for summer 2020. Tanusri Prasanna at Foundry Literary + Media represented the author.
Orli Zuravicky at Scholastic has acquired world rights to Monica Clark-Robinson's (l.) Standing on Her Shoulders, about the strong women whose shoulders we all stand on, from the well-known freedom fighters to the mothers and grandmothers who raised us. Laura Freeman will illustrate; publication is slated for 2020. Natalie Lakosil at Bradford Literary represented the author, and Janet DeCarlo at Storybook Arts represented the illustrator.
10 Erika Turner at HMH/Versify has bought world rights to Darshana Khiani's (l.) debut, How to Wear a Sari, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff. The picture book introduces a peppy girl who desperately wants to be noticed by her family, and decides the best way to do this is to teach herself to wear a sari, just like the grown-ups. Publication is set for fall 2020; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the artist.
Allison Cohen at Running Press has acquired world English rights to Kate Hosford's (l.) A Songbird Dreams of Singing and Other Poems About Sleeping Animals, a poetry collection examining the science behind the unique sleep habits of animals, illustrated by Jennifer Potter. Publication is scheduled for winter 2020; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/HSG represented the author, and Susan McCabe at Lilla Rogers Studio represented the illustrator.
Karen Wojtyla at S&S/McElderry has acquired world rights to a nonfiction picture book by debut author Colleen Paeff. The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London's Poop Pollution Problem tells the story of when London's Thames River became over-polluted with human waste and how engineer Joseph Bazalgette cleaned it up, and saved lives, by building one of the world's first modern sewer systems. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Clelia Gore at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to debut author Kelly Carey's (l.) picture book, How Long Is Forever?, illustrated by Qing Zhuang. Mason is waiting for Nana's pie, and it feels like it's taking forever. A challenge from Grandpa sends Mason searching the farm for the true meaning of forever. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Nancy Bo Flood's (l.) I Will Dance, illustrated by Julianna Swaney. The story is inspired and based on a girl's lifelong dream to perform onstage in her wheelchair with Young Dance Company, a professional, inclusive artistic community of people of all abilities. Publication is set for 2020; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has bought graphic and UX designer Victoria Watson Nguyen's Little Thor Gets Mad, in which Little Thor loves to hit things with his hammer, but he learns there are better things he can do when he's upset. Rubin Pingk will illustrate; publication is slated for May 2019. Carrie Hannigan at Hannigan Salky Getzler handled the deal for world rights.
Marilyn Brigham at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired world rights to Josh Funk's (l.) It's Not Little Red Riding Hood, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor. In the fairytale mashup, Little Red Riding Hood has some questions for the narrator about her assigned delivery to Grandma's house. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Millbrook Press has bought I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki. The nonfiction photo book explores weird and wonderful sea creatures, from the chocolate chip sea star to the pineapplefish. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Victoria Selvaggio at Storm Literary Agency represented the author in the deal for world rights.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to a picture book by Lynne Marie (Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten). Let's Eat!: Mealtime Around the World, illustrated by Parwinder Singh, explores foods from 13 countries around the world, including Sweden, Peru, Pakistan, Nigeria, and more. Publication is set for fall 2019; the author represented herself, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
