Alessandra Balzer at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired Stonewall Book Award-winning author Kacen Callender's (previously known as Kheryn Callender) Felix Ever After, second in the deal that began with This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story. When transgender teen Felix decides to catfish a rival classmate for revenge, he unexpectedly begins to fall in love with his nemesis online, while also struggling with an anonymous troll sending transphobic messages. The book will release in spring 2020; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Lauren Smulski at Inkyard has bought Emily Victoria's #OwnVoices debut YA fantasy, This Flame of Gold, in which asexual Karis, a servant to the mysterious Scriptorium, accidentally awakens long-dormant golem Alix, initiating an epic adventure full of magic, rebellion, and finding where you truly belong. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Rebecca Strauss at DeFiore and Company brokered the deal for world rights.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has preempted author of I Am Still Alive Kate Alice Marshall's Rules for Vanishing, a supernatural thriller written in the faux-documentary style of The Blair Witch Project, about a girl who walked into the woods a year before and never came back out, and her sister's search to find her. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Lisa Rodgers at JABberwocky Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal.
Dana Carey at Random House/Lamb has preempted Shelley Moore Thomas's The Last Rabbit, a middle grade novel celebrating sisters and magic, destiny and regret, and the transformative effects of guilt and forgiveness. On the mysterious island of Hybrasil, a rabbit who used to be a girl tries to save the island's last resident, an old magician, and reunite with her sisters, with the help of an unusual boy and his magical boat, before the island sinks into the sea forever. Publication is set for spring 2021; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Lee Wade at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has acquired Mistletoe by Tad Hills, creator of the Duck & Goose and Rocket series. In the Christmas picture book, a chilly elephant is too cold to go outside in the snow, and his crafty little mouse friend, Mistletoe, makes him the perfect gift. Publication is slated for fall 2020; the author represented himself in the deal for world rights.
Allison Moore at Bloomsbury has bought author-illustrator Leah Gilbert's The Fort, about a savvy girl who recruits her uniquely skilled forest friends to make her dream of building an amazing tree fort come true, in a celebration of teamwork, creative problem-solving, and the magic of nature. Publication is planned for winter 2021, with a second, untitled picture book to follow; Clelia Gore at Martin Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Susan van Metre at Candlewick has bought Karla Courtney's Poppy's House, a picture book about a boy visiting his grandfather in Newfoundland. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Catherine Drayton at InkWell Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Susan Rich at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to a debut picture book by Matt Ringler (l.) illustrated by Raúl the Third. Strollercoaster! celebrates a temper tantrum ingeniously averted when a father transforms an everyday walk outside into a joyous strollercoaster ride through the neighborhood. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the author, and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world English rights to Help Wanted: Must Love Books, a debut picture book by Janet Sumner Johnson (l.), illustrated by Courtney Dawson. When seven-year-old Shailey is left without a bedtime reading partner after her dad gets a new job, she starts interviewing to fill the position, and is thrilled when her favorite fairytale characters line up to apply. Publication is set for spring 2020; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Maria Modugno at Random House has acquired Ethan T. Berlin's (l.) I Am Not a Dog Toy, illustrated by Jared Chapman, a story of a teddy bear who believes he was made to be a kids' toy, until the family dog reveals he has other plans for the bear. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Susanna Einstein at Einstein Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kate O'Sullivan at HMH has bought world rights to National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery's (l.) as-yet-untitled picture book adaptation of her memoir, How to Be a Good Creature. As with the adult edition, the picture book will share defining lessons that various animals—pets and otherwise—have taught Montgomery about some of life's most important and universal truths. Rebecca Green will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2020. Sarah Jane Freymann at Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Sarah Ketchersid at Candlewick has acquired world rights to The Purple Puffy Coat by Maribeth Boelts. The picture book tells the story of Beetle, who gives his friend, Stick Bug, a flashy purple puffy coat for his birthday—but is being noticed what Stick Bug really wants? Daniel Duncan will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2020. Scott Treimel represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought world rights to Marty, a picture book collaboration by Finn's Feather author Rachel Noble (l.) and illustrator Zoey Abbott. Marty, a Martian, fears detection and goes undercover while on earth, but one day he decides he's tired of blending in and discovers that being noticed can be fun, especially if it allows you to be yourself. Publication is set for summer 2021; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Constance Van Hoven's Rare and Blue: Finding Nature's Treasures, a nonfiction picture book about various species on earth that are blue in color and are either naturally rare, threatened, or endangered. Alan Marks will illustrate; publication is slated for summer 2020. Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author.
Emily Easton at Crown Books for Young Readers has acquired tidying expert, author, and Netflix star Marie Kondo's (l.) Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship picture book about how tidying up creates space for joy in all parts of your life, co-written and illustrated by Salina Yoon. Inspired by Kondo's KonMari Method, the book tells the story of two best friends: Kiki is a collector, and Jax is a sorter. The one thing they always agree on is how much fun they have together. But when things start to get in the way, can they make room for what has always sparked joy—each other? The book will release with a 250,000-copy first printing on November 5, 2019; Neil Gudovitz at Gudovitz & Company Literary Agency represented the author and Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator in the deal for North American rights.
Wesley Adams at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has acquired world English rights to the YA debut of Annihilation author Jeff VanderMeer, a two-volume fantasy about a boy who inherits his grandfather's mansion and discovers three strange doors, evidence his grandfather did not die of natural causes but spectacularly unnatural ones, and clues to the family's ties to an alternate Europe immersed in a war fought with strange tech and dark magic. The first book, A Peculiar Peril, is set for publication in July 2020. Sally Harding of CookeMcDermid represented the author.
Lauren Smulski at Inkyard Press has bought Katherine Laurin's debut YA thriller, These Vengeful Hearts, in which 16-year-old Ember Williams infiltrates the Red Court, her high school's all-female secret society—a group known for dishing out favors and social ruin in equal measure—to seek revenge for her sister, who was left paralyzed after one of the Court's failed jobs. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Tess Callero at Europa Content brokered the deal for world rights while at Curtis Brown.
Caroline Abbey at Random House has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl author Stacy McAnulty's middle grade novel, A Penny Doubled, pitched as How to Steal a Dog meets Brewster's Millions. The book tells the story of two friends who find a billionaire's wallet and are rewarded with a challenge to spend $5 million in a month, ultimately realizing the importance of trust, the power of friendship, and the value of a penny. Publication is set for spring 2021; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency handled the deal for world English rights.
David Saylor at Scholastic/Graphix has bought world rights for Ethan Young's middle grade graphic novel, The Dragon Path. In this adventure fantasy, Prince Sing, heir to the Wong Clan, must overcome monstrous obstacles to help his clan return to their homeland. Publication is scheduled for 2021; Seth Fishman at the Gernert Company brokered the deal.
Ann Kelley at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has acquired Deborah Noyes's Lady Icarus: Balloonomania and the Brief, Bold Life of Sophie Blanchard. The illustrated work of narrative nonfiction for middle graders is about the first woman to work as a professional balloonist, who made nearly 70 flights, survived a revolution, and become a court favorite of Napoleon and later of the King of France—and who met her end in a blaze of glory over the streets of Paris. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for world rights.
Liza Kaplan at Philomel has bought Brooks Whitney Phillips's The Grove, a middle grade debut novel set in the Florida orange groves of the early 1960s. The story follows sisters Pip and Sissy as a traveling carnival rolls through their sleepy town, which results in tumult, exploring themes of family loyalty, friendship, and racial tensions. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Rachel Ridout at Harvey Klinger negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Eliza Leahy at Capstone has acquired Astrid and Apollo, a debut chapter book series by V.T. Bidania. The series stars twin sister and brother Astrid and Apollo Lee and their Hmong-American family as they go camping, celebrate the Hmong New Year, try fishing, and attend a soccer tournament. The four-book series is set to publish in August 2020; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners represented the author in the deal for world rights.
Maria Modugno at Random House has bought Eva Eland's Where Happiness Begins, a picture book about how Happiness manifests itself, even when it seems hard to find. Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; Liz White at Andersen Press brokered the deal for U.S. open market rights.
Jennifer Greene at Clarion has acquired world rights to Helga Makes a Name for Herself by Megan Maynor (l.), illustrated by Eda Kaban. The picture book about perseverance and following your dreams stars a small but fierce Viking girl who, along with her loyal sidekick, a wolverine named Wolvie, is determined to be a warrior, just like her favorite hero, Ingrid the Axe. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Minju Chang at BookStop Literary Agency represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Kandace Coston at Lee & Low has bought world rights to Samara Cole Doyon's (l.) picture book Magic Like That, a story in verse about a confident African-American girl who describes her hair as larger than life by drawing connections between her natural hairstyles and beauty in the natural world. The manuscript was a semifinalist in the Lee & Low Books 2017 New Voices Award writing contest. Geneva Bowers will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2020. The author represented herself, and Aurora Meyer at Astound represented the illustrator.
Jes Negrón at StarBerry has acquired world rights to Charlotte Watson Sherman's (l.) second picture book, Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps, illustrated by Geneva Bowers. The picture book follows a girl and her mother as they clean up the beach and reflect on what more they can do to prevent plastic litter from harming the creatures of the sea. Publication is slated for spring 2021; the author represented herself, and Aurora Meyer at Astound represented the illustrator.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has acquired American and Canadian rights to You Be Mommy by Karla Clark(l.). In the picture book, a tired-out mother lets her energetic daughter have a turn at being the parent during bedtime, and an amusing role reversal ensues. Zoe Persico will illustrate; publication is scheduled for winter 2020. Connor Eck at Lucinda Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Marilyn Brigham at Amazon/Two Lions has bought world rights to Pam Calvert's (l.) Flash, the Little Fire Engine, illustrated by Jen Taylor, a picture book about a little fire engine who is eager to help, but ends up being too late or too small to pitch in during emergencies... until a snowstorm sets Flash in the right place at the right time. Publication is set for November 2019; the author represented herself, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
