Kate Prosswimmer at S&S/McElderry has acquired Laura Silverman's Recommended for You. Pitched as The Office meets 10 Things I Hate About You, the YA workplace romcom focuses on teen bookseller Shoshanna Greenberg as she battles the holiday rush, fighting parents at home, and love/hate feelings for Jake Kaplan, her new coworker who doesn't even read books. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Connolly Bottum at Inkyard Press has bought, at auction, These Feathered Flames and the sequel by Alexandra Overy, a fantasy retelling of the Firebird folktale with a female/female romance. In the land of Tourin, twin princesses are separated, one to rule the land and one to ensure the price of magic is paid. But after the queen dies mysteriously, the two sisters must navigate the court and discover who they can trust, who they can love, and who murdered their mother. Publication is set for winter 2021; Natascha Morris at Bookends Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has acquired, in an exclusive submission, two books by Ellen Oh including The Junie Kim Chronicles, about Korean-American Junie's journey from cultural apathy to proud self-identity while dealing with racist vandalism in her middle school and taking on an oral history project about her grandparents experiences as lost children during the Korean War. Publication is planned for winter 2021; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author for world English rights.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought North American rights, in a preempt, to Dwayne Reed's middle grade novel Simon B. Rhymin', about a 10-year-old boy who uses rap to overcome his fears and to bring people together, and a second untitled Simon book. Initial publication is slated for spring 2021; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic did the deal.
Erica Sussman at HarperCollins has acquired Brave Like That plus one untitled standalone middle-grade novel by Lindsey Stoddard, author of Just Like Jackie and Right as Rain. In Brave Like That, 11-year-old Cyrus Olson, the adopted son of a Minnesota firefighter and local football legend, who is struggling with the realization that he's not brave like Dad, must find another kind of courage to take on some of the other issues in his life. Publication is set for spring 2020; Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for North American rights on behalf of Stoddard.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has bought Nicky & Vera, a nonfiction picture book by three-time Caldecott Honoree and Andersen Medalist Peter Sís. Focusing on a single child, Vera, the book explores the story of Sir Nicholas George Winton, MBE, who oversaw the evacuation of more than 600 Jewish children from Prague to the U.K. on the eve of World War II. The book is scheduled for fall 2021; Brenda Bowen brokered the deal for world English rights in her first deal for the Book Group.
Kait Feldmann at Orchard has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to debut author-illustrator Junyi Wu's Corgi Can and Corgi Loves, two board books about a corgi who can do lots of things and has a big heart. Publication is planned for fall 2021 and spring 2022, respectively; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the author-illustrator.
Courtney Code at Abrams has bought Milo's Christmas Wish by author-illustrator Jennie Palmer. The story is about an industrious opossum with a big dream to be in a Christmas parade. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Jennifer Sattler's When There's a Bump in the Road, the story of a little vole who sets out on a well-planned adventure only to find a giant rock in her way. Anger, begging, and reason won't move it, but the rock turns out to be everything the vole needs. Publication is set for spring 2021; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick has preempted world rights to Malaprop's bookseller Amy Cherrix's (l.) picture book Goodnight, Little Bookstore, illustrated by former Curious George Store bookseller E.B. Goodale, a bedtime tour around a bookshop, where many friends are being tucked into their shelves for the night. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Liza Kaplan at Philomel has bought world rights to former Knopf Books for Young Readers senior editor Allison Wortche's picture book, Oliver's Lollipop, about a boy who just wants a sweet treat and almost misses out on a fun day at the zoo—and the beauty of the world around him—until a pesky giraffe and his little brother help remind him what's really important. Andrés Landazabal will illustrate; publication is planned for summer 2021. Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Erika Turner at HMH/Versify has acquired North American English rights to two picture books by debut author Van G. Garrett (l.). Kicks is a love letter to the flyest shoes and the kids who wear them, illustrated by debut artist Reggie Brown. The book is slated for fall 2021 publication, and Specs, a similar ode to the latest and wildest in eyewear, will follow in fall 2022. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Tara Walker at Tundra has bought world rights to Linda Bailey's (l.) Princesses Versus Dinosaurs, a metafictional picture book in which a group of sparkly princesses and a bunch of roaring dinosaurs argue over whether they're in a book about princesses or dinosaurs. Joy Ang will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2020. Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Cheryl Eissing at Philomel has acquired world rights to debut author Becky Scharnhorst's (l.) P.S. Wildwood Elementary Stinks, told through journal entries about a boy's unbelievable first week of school after he is mistakenly dropped off at a school for animals. Julia Patton will illustrate; publication is scheduled for summer 2021. James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Jonah Heller at Peachtree has bought world rights to JaNay Brown-Wood's (l.) Where in the Garden, a four-book series following toddler Amara and each of her friends as they explore their individual warm- and cool-weather gardens. Each toddler hunts for the perfect produce to complete a festive celebration and compares and contrasts what they know against a variety of fruits and vegetables found along the way. Samara Hardy will illustrate; publication of the first two books is tentatively set for 2021, and the following pair in 2022. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Bethany Sparks at Plum Pudding Illustration represented the illustrator.
Anne Hoppe at Clarion has acquired world rights to Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Revolutionary Marine Scientist Jeanne Power, written by Evan Griffith and illustrated by Joanie Stone. The picture book biography celebrates the curiosity, drive, and perseverance of the 19th-century woman scientist who pioneered the use of aquariums to study ocean life. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the artist.
Heidi Kilgras at Random House has acquired Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner (l.), illustrated by Brooke Smart, a picture book biography of Abraham Lincoln, adapted from—and expanding upon—a Step into Reading book of the same name. Publication is expected in fall 2021; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary brokered the deal for world rights, all languages.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought world rights to The Floating Field by Scott Riley (l.), a nonfiction picture book about a group of soccer-loving boys from a Thai fishing village built on stilts who construct their own floating field and form the Koh Panyee Football Club. Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2021. Clelia Gore at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author, and Doreen Thorogood at Good Illustration Agency represented the illustrators.
Kristen Pettit at HarperTeen has acquired Monica Gomez-Hira's Once Upon a Quinceañera in a six-figure, two-book auction. Pitched as Jane the Virgin meets Jenny Han, the YA debut follows a Miami party princess/performer-for-hire forced to work her loathsome, wealthy cousin's quinceañera alongside her even more loathsome ex-boyfriend. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Zareen Jaffery at Simon & Schuster has bought Kathryn Ormsbee's The Sullivan Sisters, the second YA book in a previously announced deal. The novel is about three estranged teenage sisters spending a miserable winter holiday together when a letter arrives, informing them of a family inheritance they knew nothing about, which forces them to band together in the face of a sinister family mystery. Publication is slated for summer 2020; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street has acquired Of Leaves and Stars by Joanna Meyer, a dual-perspective, gender-swapped, YA fantasy in the vein of “Beauty and the Beast.” In the story, an astronomer's son is lured into a dangerously magical wood, and finds himself falling for Seren, the tree-siren daughter of the witch who rules the forest. But the stars hold a dangerous curse, and Seren's quest to become human will lead the couple into an ancient war raging between the witch and the king. Publication is set for winter 2021; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Daniel Ehrenhaft at Soho Teen has bought Mercury Boys by Chandra Prasad. Pitched as a little bit Heathers, a little bit Miss Peregrine, the YA thriller follows a secret society of girls who discover that when they handle liquid mercury, they are able to visit long-dead people who appear in daguerreotypes. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Marly Rusoff at the Rusoff Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Harriet Low at HMH has acquired Chelsey Furedi's debut YA graphic novel, Project Nought, a story of time travel, forbidden romance, and corporate espionage, in which Ren Mittal, an unassuming high-school graduate from the year 1996, is drawn more than 100 years into the future by a time travel exchange program, where he tries to keep a low profile. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management handled the deal for world rights.
Elizabeth Lynch at HarperTeen has bought North American rights to Claire Eliza Bartlett's The Good Girls, a twisty feminist thriller in which three girls become the primary suspects in the murder of a fourth, but play on stereotypes in order to expose the dark truth behind the crime. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management brokered the deal on behalf of Glasstown Entertainment.
Gina Gagliano and Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic have acquired a middle-grade graphic novel adaptation of Tamora Pierce's (l.) fantasy classic First Test. The book introduces the character of Keladry of Mindalen, a girl who is determined to overcome both bullying and societal convention to become a knight of Tortall. Devin Grayson (c.) will adapt, and Becca Farrow will illustrate. Publication is planned for 2021; Emily Van Beek at Folio Jr. represented Pierce, and Farrow represented herself in the deal for world rights.
Sheila Keenan at Viking has bought, in a six-house auction, City of Secrets, a debut middle-grade graphic novel by DC artist and Disney animator Victoria Ying. The fantasy with a steampunk sensibility tells the story of a lonely orphan boy guarding a secret in a puzzle-box of a building, who's befriended by the spunky daughter of the building's owner. Protecting the secret thrusts the friends into a world of thuggish villains, secret societies, and murder and mayhem. Publication of the first book is set for summer 2020; Heather Flaherty at the Bent Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Julie Rosenberg at Razorbill has acquired A Totally Awkward Love Story co-author Lucy Ivison's middle grade debut, The House of Serendipity. The story follows an impoverished young lady's maid and the impetuous daughter of an eccentric duke and duchess who discover that their talent for dressmaking has the power to shake up the debutante season... and get them into heaps of trouble. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Tori Sharp's middle-grade graphic memoir Just Pretend, and a second book. Tori has never lived in just one world. She's got her mom's house, her dad's house, school, and, best of all, books. And it's books—and the stories she makes up in her head—that Tori will turn to when everything else around her seems to be crumbling. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal for world rights.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has acquired Zoraida Córdova's middle grade debut, The Way to Rio Luna. Eleven-year-old Danny Monteverde discovers a magical book at the library that holds a map to an enchanted fairyland, and the key to reuniting with his missing sister. Along with unlikely friends—a runaway jackalope prince and a bookworm named Glory—Danny's adventure takes him from New York to Ecuador to Brazil, racing against time and the greatest threat the magical realm has ever known. Publication is set for summer 2020; Adrienne Rosado at Stonesong handled the deal for world rights.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought Blue, Barry, & Pancakes by Dan Abdo (l.) and Jason Patterson, a graphic novel series featuring three friends (a bunny, a worm, and a frog) who have adventures driven by their very different personalities. Publication will begin in 2021; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Alex Arnold at Quirk has acquired, in a four-book deal, Beth Beckman (l.) and Holley Maher's Little Kid, Big City series. Based on Beckman's website of the same name and illustrated by Maher, the interactive travel guides aim to inspire curious young minds to imagine, create, and navigate their own itineraries across the biggest cities in the world. Publication of the first two titles is set for spring 2020; Stephen Barr at Writers House did the deal for world rights.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has bought world English rights to debut author-illustrator Jashar Awan's picture book What a Lucky Day!, in which a group of new animal friends confront some old myths after a day of fishing together. The book aims to be a useful tool for talking to children about assumptions and stereotypes. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has acquired Moon Camp by author-illustrator Barry Gott, about a boy who hates all the traditional activities at sleepaway camp—but this camp takes place in outer space. Camp is a cosmic disaster until he realizes the sky's the limit when you discover a friend. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Christian Trimmer at Holt has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Voices of Justice by former Kentucky poet laureate George Ella Lyon (l.) with art by Jennifer Potter. The nonfiction picture book includes profiles in verse of activists who have changed the world for the better, such as Shirley Chisholm, James Baldwin, and Greta Thunberg, among others. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the author, and Susan McCabe at Lilla Rogers Studio represented the artist.
Dianne Hess at Scholastic Press has acquired world rights to Karen English's (l.) picture book, The Red Shoes, featuring young Malika who dances, runs, plays, taps, and splashes in her amazing red shoes. But one day, they begin to pinch her toes. The book explores how the much-loved shoes journey from America to Africa to become a gift for another girl. Ebony Glenn will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2020. Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought Beyond by Miranda Paul (l.). The nonfiction picture book, written as a free verse poem, takes readers on an interstellar journey from the outer reaches of our solar system to the edge of the observable universe. Sija Hong will illustrate in her U.S. debut; publication is planned for spring 2021. The author represented herself in the deal for world rights, and Stacey Endress at Illustration Ltd. represented the illustrator.
Michelle Bisson at Capstone has acquired world rights to Patrick's Pink Tights, a picture book by Kristen McCurry (l.). The story centers on a boy who loves his sister's tights, which are perfect for pretend play. That is, they're perfect until something happens to them—and some quick thinking is needed to save the day. Addy Rivera Sonda will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2020. The author represented herself, and the Astound Agency represented the illustrator.
Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world rights to The Heart of the Storm by Sharon Mentyka (l.), a picture book biography of WNBA player Sue Bird, who plays for the Seattle Storm. Ellen Rooney will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2021. Both the author and the illustrator were unagented.
