Liza Kaplan at Philomel has acquired The Fountains of Silence, a new novel by Ruta Sepetys, bestselling author of Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea. The novel sheds light on the hidden and all-but-forgotten tragedies of Franco-era Spain to deliver an exploration of identity, dignity, and the debilitating repercussions of war. Publication is scheduled for October 22; Steve Malk at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights, all languages.
David Levithan at Scholastic has bought, in an exclusive submission, a new trilogy by bestselling fantasy author Maggie Stiefvater. The first book in the Dreamer trilogy, Call Down the Hawk, follows a young man who can manifest objects from his dreams and discovers that he is not the only one with this extraordinary ability. As with her award-winning Raven Cycle series, the novel blends magic and mystery, focusing on the fan favorite character Ronan. Publication is set for November 2019; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the near seven-figure deal for world rights.
Jennifer Ung at Simon Pulse has bought Sandhya Menon's (When Dimple Met Rishi) St. Rosetta's Academy series. Each book in the series is a contemporary fairy tale retelling, set at a prestigious boarding school for modern royals. The first book, Of Curses and Kisses, is a spin on “Beauty and the Beast” and follows an Indian princess who must con her worst enemy, a misanthropic British aristocrat, into falling in love with her in order to restore honor to her family. Publication is slated for 2020; Thao Le at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency negotiated the three-book deal.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired Pretty Little Liars author Sara Shepard (l.) and 15-year-old actress and social media personality Lilia Buckingham's Influence, a social media mystery that takes place in the fiercely competitive and glamorous world of today's hottest teen influencers. Publication is planned for early 2020; Andy McNicol at William Morris Endeavor did the deal for North American rights.
Jordan Brown at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired North American rights to The Dust Alphabet by Lambda Literary Award-winning author Rebecca Podos, a contemporary YA fantasy about identity, faith, and fate. On her 17th birthday, Hannah is cursed by a sheyd (a Jewish demon) as the price for a desperate bargain that her mother made long ago. To break the spell, she and her brother must track down their mother's estranged family and discover a legacy they never dreamed of—one that traces back to the famous Golem of Prague. Publication is set for 2021.
Lisa Sandell at Scholastic Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, bestselling author of The Forgetting Sharon Cameron's The Silence Above Us. The book is based on the true story of 16-year-old Stefania Podgórska who, alongside her six-year-old sister Helena, sheltered 13 Jews in a secret space in her attic while Nazi soldiers and nurses occupied their home. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal, which included a second, currently untitled novel.
Daniel Ehrenhaft at Soho Teen has acquired Grant Farley's debut YA novel, Bones of a Saint, in which a ruthless gang called the Blackjacks threatens a 15-year-old boy into ripping off antiques from an old man he has befriended, and he must find a way to save his own life without sacrificing his soul. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Stephen Barr at Writers House did the deal for world English rights.
Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought Donut the Destroyer by Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins, a middle-grade graphic novel featuring Donut, who lives in a world where kids either go to Hero Institute or Villain Academy to develop their special ability for good or evil. Donut goes against her supervillain parents and best friend to attend Hero Institute and tries to fit in and do good. The collaborators are engaged to be married; Graley runs the popular web comic Our Super Adventure. Publication is slated for 2020; Steven Salpeter at Curtis Brown handled the deal for world English rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Emily Ecton's The Great Pet Heist, a middle grade novel in the spirit of Ocean's 11 and The Secret Lives of Pets. The story is about Butterbean the dachshund and her animal friends, who must pull off the heist of the century—or at least their apartment building—to keep from being sent to the pound when their owner falls ill. Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; Kate Schafer Testerman at KT Literary negotiated the deal.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick has bought two books by Jessica Love, Stonewall-Award winning author-illustrator of Julián Is a Mermaid. The first book is an exploration of radical gifting; both works will be continued meditations on the boundlessness of the heart. Publication of the first book is set for fall 2020; Meredith Kaffel Simonoff at DeFiore and Company brokered the deal for world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Disney-Hyperion has acquired the first three books in Greg Pizzoli's Baloney and Friends, a series of graphic novel chapter books starring protagonist Baloney A. Pig and his friends: excitable Peanut D. Horse, humble Bizz E. Bee, and grumpy Krabbit B. Rabbit. The first book will publish in summer 2020; Steven Malk at Writers House represented Pizzoli in the deal for world rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought world rights to Young People's Poet Laureate and Newbery Honor author Margarita Engle's (l.) A Song of Frutas, illustrated by Sara Palacios, about the poignant relationship between a girl and her grandfather who is a pregonero—a singing vendor who walks the streets of Cuba. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Michelle Humphrey at the Martha Kaplan Agency represented the author, and Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary represented the illustrator.
Joanna Cárdenas at Kokila has acquired world rights to Rice from Heaven author Tina Cho's (l.) picture book, The Ocean Calls, illustrated by Jess X. Snow. The story follows a girl who conquers her fear of swimming to learn her haenyeo grandmother's way of life—free diving off the coast of Jeju Island to harvest abalone and other sea creatures. Publication is slated for summer 2020; Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and Wendi Gu at Janklow & Nesbit represented the illustrator.
Connie Hsu and Megan Abbate at Roaring Brook have bought world rights to two picture books by BabyLit author Jennifer Adams (l.): Goodnight, Little Dancer and Goodnight, Little Superhero, bedtime books in which each story follows a boy and a girl with big imaginations and even bigger dreams. Alea Marley will illustrate; the books will be published simultaneously in spring 2020. Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired Sam's First Word by Bea Birdsong (l.). Pitched as Your Baby's First Word Will Be Dada meets Everyone Poops, the book is about a toddler who knows exactly what she (urgently) needs to say, but must first endure her family's humorous attempts to make each of their names her first word. Holly Hatam will illustrate; publication is set for winter 2021. Melissa Edwards at Stonesong Literary represented the author, and Christy T. Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick has bought world rights to Helena Ku Rhee's (l.) Sora's Seashells, illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim. The picture book follows a girl who finds the confidence to stand up for her unique name after her grandmother's death. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Bill Contardi at Brandt and Hochman Literary Agents represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Louise May at Lee & Low has acquired world rights to Sandra Nickel's Nacho's Nachos, the true story of Ignacio Anaya and the invention of nachos, illustrated by Oliver Dominguez. Publication is planned for spring 2020 to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the invention of this popular snack; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/Hannigan Salky Getzler represented the author, and Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Naomi Kirsten at Chronicle has bought world rights to Karen Jameson's (l.) rhyming picture book, Farm Lullaby, in which barnyard animals tenderly sing their babies to sleep. Wednesday Kirwan will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2021. Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Charlotte Wenger at Page Street Kids has acquired world rights to Kelly Jordan's (l.) debut picture book, The Little Blue Cottage, illustrated by Jessica Courtney Tickle, about the relationship between a vacation cottage by the sea and the girl who comes to stay in the summer. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Arabella Stein at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Davis at Boyds Mills/Wordsong has bought world rights to This Poem Is a Nest by Irene Latham (l.), illustrated by Johanna Wright, a poetry collection that celebrates nature, language, and imagination. The book opens with one poem, “Nest,” and follows with more than 80 poems that can be found inside of “Nest”—thus introducing readers to the art of creating found poems (or blackout poetry) in a collection. Publication is set for fall 2020; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented both the author and the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Otis P. Oliver Protests by Keri Claiborne Boyle, illustrated by Daniel Duncan, a picture book in which a boy rounds up his neighborhood pals to fight bath time with picketing, fiery speeches, and sit-ins. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong of the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to Do Not Rake Your Garden in a Party Dress, a picture book by Aimée Bissonette (l.), illustrated by Kelly Pousette, about an orderly, proper girl who has planned the perfect party, until her efforts to make everything “just so” literally send her off on an adventure. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has acquired a YA fantasy duology, Fable and Namesake, by Adrienne Young, author of Sky in the Deep. It tells the story of a girl whose father deserted her on an island that she has been trying to leave for four years, only to discover that the island may have been the safest place for her. The first book is slated for fall 2020; Barbara Poelle at Irene Goodman Agency negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has bought bestselling author Kiersten White's The Guinevere Deception, first in a fantasy series that reimagines the Arthurian legend. Set in the world of Camelot, the series explores the nature of self, the inevitable cost of progress, and romance and betrayal. It launches in fall 2019; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Liza Kaplan at Philomel has preempted Lindsay Smith's historical SF/fantasy, Alchemy of War, written in the vein of Inglourious Basterdsmeets the Upside Down world of Stranger Things. The story is set in the forests of Nazi Germany, where five teens get more than they bargained for when they attempt fringe science in order to destroy the Third Reich. Publication is set for fall 2020; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Whitney Leopard at Random House/Graphic has bought Ananth Hirsh (l.) and Tess Stone's YA graphic novel Greater Secrets. Three strangers take a surreal road trip to a drowned ghost town in search of a missing pop idol, but end up finding themselves instead. Publication is scheduled for 2022; Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary sold world rights.
Jordan Brown at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired, in a preempt, McMann by Iva-Marie Palmer. Set against the backdrop of Title IX in 1970s Chicago, the book tells the story of Susan Klintock, who joins the first girls' soccer team at her high school to get close to the foxy new coach, Bobby McMann—only to discover that her true love lies elsewhere. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Josh Bank, Viana Siniscalchi, and Sara Shandler at Alloy Entertainment handled the deal; the author is represented by Fonda Snyder at Alchemy Ink.
Dan Simon at Seven Stories/Triangle Square has acquired poet, nonfiction author, and educator Patrice Vecchione's My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Poetry Writing Resource for Speaking In and Speaking Out. The book aims to encourage teens to develop their poetic skills, step up, and speak their truths. Vecchione is co-editor of the forthcoming YA collection Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee Experience, and the author of Step into Nature: Nurturing Imagination and Spirit in Everyday Life. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Charlotte Cecil Raymond negotiated the deal for world rights.
Chris Schoebinger at Shadow Mountain has bought, in an exclusive submission, the first two books in J. Scott Savage's middle grade series, The Wonderland Diaries, in which 13-year-old Celia Littleton—a descendant of Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll—finds his missing diaries, and discovers that his tales weren't fiction at all, but observations of a real place filled with dangerous creatures, that if allowed into our world could destroy everything. Volume 1 is set for spring 2020; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for North American rights.
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown has acquired Stonewall Honor author of Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World Ashley Herring Blake's middle grade novel Clementine at Sunrise. After a tragic accident that kills one of Clementine's mothers and leaves her scarred and anxious, Clementine is now convinced it's now her job to keep herself and her little sister safe, but her worst fears are realized when her mother enrolls them in an adventure camp for the summer. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Rebecca Podos at Rees Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Rachael Stein at Sterling Children's has bought Alyssa Zaczek's Martin Mclean, Middle School Queen. Pitched as Ru Paul's Drag Race meets Wonder, the middle grade debut is about a boy who discovers his love for drag and his inner diva as he navigates friendship, family, first crushes, and plenty of glitter. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management handled the deal for world English rights.
Amy Cloud at HMH has acquired, at auction, Dayna Lorentz's middle grade novel Rufus and Reenie. The book tells the story of 11-year-old Reenie, who, after learning about the rehabilitation of passage hawks, accidentally catches Rufus, an injured fledgling Great Horned owl. The two connect at first sight, eventually learning that partnership is more powerful than going it alone. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Faye Bender at the Book Group negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has bought Sisters First by authors and former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager (l.) and Barbara Pierce Bush, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. Inspired by the sisters' special bond, the picture book tells the story of a girl who wishes for a sister, and the siblings soon become inseparable, realizing they are smarter, kinder, and braver by each other's sides. Publication is set for November 2019; CAA brokered the deal for world rights, and Anne Moore Armstrong at Bright Agency represented the artist.
Karen Lotz at Candlewick Press has acquired North American rights, as part of a world rights deal brokered by Deirdre McDermott at Walker Books UK, for Where Snow Angels Go by Maggie O'Farrell (The Hand That First Held Mine) and the first of two planned picture books about a guardian snow angel, which began as stories O'Farrell told her daughter. Publication of the book, O'Farrell's children's publishing debut, is planned for fall 2020; Victoria Hobbs at A.M. Heath did the deal for world rights.
Eliza Berkowitz at Sterling has bought Nerp, a picture book by author-illustrator Sarah Lynne Reul (Allie All Along), about two picky eaters—one child, one pet—whose use of expressive nonsense language helps them find a surprising solution to the classic dinner dilemma. Reul's illustrations combine tiny cardboard models, photographs, and digital drawings. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; Rachael Stein will edit. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Courtney Burke at Page Street Kids has acquired Fiona Halliday's picture book, The Storm Goose. In the Celtic tale of loss and healing, a girl's fisherman father fails to return from the sea, but a mysterious bird from his stories washes ashore instead, and refuses to leave. Publication is set for winter 2021; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author-illustrator for world rights.
Charlotte Wenger at Page Street Kids has bought Aimee Hagerty Johnson's debut picture book, The Fir and I, a collection of nature poetry encompassing a year, from January through December. Publication is slated for fall 2020; the author-illustrator represented herself in the deal for world rights.
Lee Wade at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has acquired world rights to Vote for Our Future by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Micah Player, a picture book about kids who won't take no for an answer when it's time to get out the vote. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Faith Hamlin at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought world rights to author Jory John's Probably a Unicorn, in a two-book deal, to be illustrated by K-Fai Steele. The humorous picture book serves as a platform for an insistent rhinoceros making the case for why he's something other than what we can see he really is. The first book is scheduled for fall 2020; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick has acquired world rights toGoodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site author Sherri Duskey Rinker's (l.) picture book Joy Ride, illustrated by Ana Ramírez González, in which a girl realizes that creativity can take courage when she's teased about the fancy bike she built with her grandfather. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has bought world rights to Be Strong by Pat Zietlow Miller (l.), illustrated by Jen Hill. In the picture book, a girl explores the concept of inner strength, from her father showing up to help others and her mother speaking up to city leaders to seeing her grandmother never, ever giving up. The book will publish in winter 2021; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Annie Moore Armstrong at Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired world rights to a new picture book by the team behind the Pura Belpré Award-winning Drum Dream Girl: Margarita Engle and Rafael López. Dancing Hands is the story of Teresa Carreño, a child prodigy refugee from Venezuela who played piano for President Abraham Lincoln. Publication is set for August 2019; Michelle Humphrey at the Martha Kaplan Agency represented the author, and Adriana Dominguez and Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the artist.
Peggy Schaefer at WorthyKids has won a seven-house auction for Taste Your Words, a picture book about pausing to taste the words on the tip of your tongue before speaking them, by debut author Bonnie Clark and Disney/Pixar illustrator Todd Bright. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Lee Wade at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has bought North American rights to Snow Deep Snow by Donna Jo Napoli (l.), illustrated by Naoko Stoop. The Japanese/English bilingual picture book features two girls who discover they have more in common than they think as they become friends during a snowfall. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Brenda Bowen at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author and the artist.
Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has acquired world rights to First Friend, a picture book by Red Truckauthor Kersten Hamilton (l.), with art by La La Laillustrator Jaime Kim, which shows how wolves evolved into domesticated dogs over generations of interactions with humans. Publication is slated for winter 2021; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Karen Boersma at Owl Kids has bought world rights to Walls by Dianne White, illustrated by Barroux. The picture book in verse explores the literal and figurative types of walls children may encounter and affirms the importance of connection, redemption, and inclusion. Publication is set for spring 2020; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to Get Up, Elizabeth, a picture book written by Shirin Bridges (l.), illustrated by Alea Marley. Even the feisty future Queen of England needs to get up, scrub her face, brush her teeth, and get dressed for the day. The book will include facts about Elizabethan grooming. Publication is planned for fall 2020; the author represented herself and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
