Jessica Harriton at Razorbill has acquired Sources Say, a YA novel from Lori Goldstein, author of Screen Queens. The book follows a school election that goes from mundane to high stakes after a scandal rocks the student body. As the candidates, who are exes, make the controversy the center of their platforms, two newspapers compete for campaign trail exclusives and suddenly student government is the newest trending hashtag. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought North American rights to Squad, a darkly comedic YA graphic novel by Maggie Tokuda-Hall (l.), illustrated by Lisa Sterle. It's about a clique of teen girls whose favorite pastime is to "get dressed up, go to parties, target entitled, date-rapey Bros, turn into wolves, and eat them." Publication is slated for fall 2021. Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired Emily Martin's Five Ways to Fall Out of Love, a YA romantic comedy. When a high school senior is partnered in class with the guy who humiliated her in front of the whole school during junior year, she uses a scientific theorem to prove that love never lasts, only to discover that love is way more complicated than she realized. Publication is planned for early 2021; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Britny Brooks at Running Press Kids, in an exclusive submission, has bought Heroes Rise and Verses interactive fiction series author Zackary Sergi's Major Detours, a YA novel following four college-bound teens on a tarot card road trip that turns into a haunted scavenger hunt where the reader chooses the paths forward using a new interactive format, for publication in fall 2021. Lucy Carson at Friedrich Agency represented the author for world rights.
Emily Settle at Macmillan/Swoon has acquired world rights to Samantha Hastings's YA historical romance, A Royal Christmas Quandary, about a young lady who must find a missing prince during the Christmas season. Publication is scheduled for October 2020. The deal for world rights was negotiated by Jen Nadol at the Unter Agency.
Jill Davis at HarperCollins has bought English-language North American rights to Catherine's War, a graphic novel for middle grade adapted from Julia Billet's (l.) 2012 novel of the same name. The graphic novel version was created by the author and Claire Fauvel; published in 2017 in France by Rue de Sèvres; and won the 2018 Prix Jeunesse at the Angouleme Festival. The story follows Catherine, born Rachel, a Jewish child in World War II, who journeys from occupied France to the free zone armed with a camera and her artistic vision. It was inspired by the childhood of the author's mother. Publication is set for winter 2020; Marija Gaudry at Rue de Sèvres did the deal on behalf of the creators.
Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has bought world rights to Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo's middle-grade graphic novel series, called Mapmakers, in a three-book deal. The fantastical adventure series follows Alidade Rose and her best friend Lewis as they try to survive in their failing town. Publication is planned for 2022; the authors were unagented.
Sara Sargent at Random House has acquired, at auction, Elaine Weiss's middle grade nonfiction project, The Woman's Hour: How We Won the Right to Vote, adapted from the author's adult book. Soon to be adapted for television, this tells the story of the battle between opposing forces in the final fight for women's suffrage. Publication is set for summer 2020 to coincide with the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment; Dorian Karchmar and Jamie Carr at WME brokered the deal for North American and audio rights.
Lisa Yoskowitz and Hannah Milton at Little, Brown have bought Eve Yohalem's The Truth According To Blue, a middle grade novel about 13-year-old Blue's summer of searching for treasure, finding an unexpected new friend, and attempting to become known as more than "the girl with diabetes." Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown negotiated the deal for world rights.
Mari Kesselring at Jolly Fish Press has acquired Rebecca Thorne's debut middle grade sci-fi novel, The Secrets of Star Whales, pitched as The Magic School Bus meets School of Rock meets Doctor Who. The story tells of a sensitive, shy boy finding the courage to explore the galaxy while learning to manage his grief after the death of his father. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Kaitlyn Johnson at Corvisiero Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought, in a multiple-bid scenario, Singy, Springy, You!, a picture book by illustrator Renée Kurilla in her debut as an author-illustrator. The story follows an energetic group of children enjoying each part of their day, from waking up to mealtime to storytime to bedtime. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired world rights to Call Me Miss Hamilton by Carole Boston Weatherford. The picture book tells the true story of African American civil rights activist Mary Hamilton, who was found to be in contempt of court after she demanded that an Alabama judge address her with the same honorifics used to address white people. Her case ultimately went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in her favor in 1964. Jeffery Boston Weatherford will illustrate in his picture book debut; publication is planned for fall 2020. Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author and illustrator.
Erika Turner at HMH/Versify has bought world rights to the picture book Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramos (l.), illustrated by Paola Escobar, a modern spin on "Sleeping Beauty," about a Puerto Rican girl who falls into a deep sleep after experiencing racial bias; it is scheduled for publication in fall 2021. Emily Keyes at Fuse Literary Agency represented Ramos, and Amy Kitcherside at Pickled Ink represented Escobar.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has acquired world rights to A Collection of Things by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Daniel Miyares, in which surprising moments of a day, from big to small and in-between, are captured and made unforgettable, from a child's point of view. Publication is set for spring 2021. Rubin Pfeffer of Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author; Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
Emma Ledbetter at Abrams has won, at auction, world rights to Maria Gianferrari's (l.) new picture book, Be a Tree, illustrated by Felicita Sala. The book explores the beauty, majesty, and connectivity of trees, and how they compare to each of us individually, and as a society. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator, for publication in spring 2021.
Nancy Inteli and Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins have bought world rights to Susan Hood's (l.) The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics, a nonfiction picture book of activist poems about the threat of plastic pollution and the real-life kids who are taking on environmental challenges... and triumphing. Christiane Engel will illustrate; publication is slated for winter 2021. Brenda Bowen at The Book Group represented the author, and Doreen Thorogood at Good Illustration represented the artist.
Rick Rinehart of Globe Pequot/Muddy Boots has acquired North American English rights to Gordon McMillan's Bat's Midnight Feast, in which a little tube-lipped nectar bat, lured by a blossom's aroma, discovers a long, pale flower and what hides between the petals. British artist Carly Allen-Fletcher will illustrate. Publication is planned for September 2020. Anna Olswanger of Olswanger Literary represented both the author and illustrator.
Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to May Your Life Be Delicious, written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by Loris Lora, a picture book inspired by the author's Mexican American family, about a girl whose grandmother teaches her not only how to make tamales at the holidays, but how to live a good life, to be published fall 2021. The author represented himself, and Sally Heflin of heflinreps represented the illustrator.
Juree Sondker at Bala Kids has acquired world rights to Sit with Me: Buddhist Meditation for Kids by Carolyn Kanjuro (l.). You can squat like a frog or lounge like a cat—but if you want to sit like a buddha easy and free, there are seven key steps for taking your seat. Nan Lawson will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2020. The author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Farrin Jacobs at Little, Brown/Poppy has acquired in an exclusive submission The Reminders and Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel author Val Emmich's Maybe We're Electric, about two teen clichés—the shy outcast and the popular jock—each hiding secrets, who both reveal and reinvent themselves after a night spent trapped together inside the Thomas Edison museum during a snowstorm. It will publish in fall 2020. Jeff Kleinman and John Cusick at Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Sara Sargent at Random House has bought, in a preempt, Instagram poet Trista Mateer's YA debut, When the Stars Wrote Back, a collection of short, powerful poems that shine beauty and insight into relationships, love, growing up, and learning to cope. Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Filip Sablik has acquired for BOOM! Studios/Archaia A Thief Among the Trees, an Ember in the Ashes graphic novel, first in a three-book deal and the official prequel to the series of novels by Sabaa Tahir (l.). These graphic novels from Tahir, by writer Nicole Andelfinger (c.), and artist Sonia Liao, will explore the pasts of An Ember in the Ashes series characters, starting with Fivers Elias, Helene, and Tavi as they begin to confront the harrowing realities of Martial rule, their place in the system, and the choices they must make to survive. Publication is set for summer 2020; Alexandra Machinist at ICM Partners did the deal for world rights.
Jocelyn Davies at Disney-Hyperion has signed debut author Emma Theriault to write the first book in The Queen's Council, a YA historical fantasy series that reimagines the Disney Princesses as young rulers coming into power, aided by a mysterious force that weaves between their individual stories. The series will launch in fall 2020 with Theriault's take on Belle during the early days of the French Revolution, caught between her new royal life and her “provincial” roots. Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary and Media negotiated the deal for world rights.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has bought, at auction, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus author Dusti Bowling's The Canyon's Edge, a middle grade novel in verse about a girl's struggle to survive alone in a treacherous canyon after disaster strikes on a hiking trip with her father, even as she faces the trauma of the mass shooting that changed her family forever. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency handled the two-book, six-figure deal for world rights.
Molly Cusick at Sourcebooks has preempted, in a three-book deal, print rights to Wishes and Wellingtons by Julie Berry, Printz Honor author of The Passion of Dolssa. Originally published by Audible Originals, the middle grade fantasy adventure features a girl who discovers a djinni in a sardine can in Victorian London and must decide how to use her wishes. Publication for the first book is slated for fall 2020; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Trident Media Group brokered the deal for North American rights.
Elizabeth Lynch at HarperCollins has acquired, in a two-book auction, Edgar Award winner and author of Death and Douglas, J.W. Ocker's The Smashed Man of Dread End, in which Small Spaces meets Stranger Things when a monster oozes from the basement walls of the houses on Totter Drive and only 12-year-old Noelle and her friends can uncover the horror of the Smashed Man. Publication is projected for summer 2021; Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Chris Krones at HMH has bought world rights to Dinomighty, a middle grade graphic novel featuring a team of dinosaur heroes on a wild goose chase to fight for good over evil, written by Greg Trine (l.) and illustrated by Aaron Blecha. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020 for book one, and fall 2021 for book two; the author represented himself, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Lynne Missen at Tundra has acquired Peter Lee: Field Notes and Observations and a second untitled middle grade novel by Angela Ahn, author of Krista Kim-Bap. When the whole family takes a road trip so Peter can live out his paleontologist dreams at a real-life dinosaur dig, Peter realizes that if he teams up with his genius kid-sister, maybe his scientific mind could also help his grandmother suffering from dementia. Publication is set for summer 2021; Laurel Symonds at The Bent Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Jill Davis at HarperCollins has bought How Women Won the Vote: Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, and their Big Idea by Susan Campbell Bartoletti (l.), illustrated by Ziyue Chen. It chronicles the suffrage movement from 1909 to 1920 for middle graders, beginning when trailblazers Alice Paul and Lucy Burns met at a police station in London after being arrested, and ending with the passage of the 20th Amendment. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Ginger Knowlton represented the author, and Mela Bolinao represented the illustrator for world rights.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has acquired, in a preempt, debut author-illustrator Veronica Mang's The Secret Society of the Lady Spies, plus two additional books in the illustrated chapter book series, about Peggy, Rita, and Dot, who stumble upon a house of spies—real female spies from history—and find that they're just the right private eyes to help the spies solve a mystery of their own. Publication of the first book is slated for 2021; Andrea Morrison at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kait Feldmann at Scholastic/Orchard has bought Finding Home, the U.S. picture book debut of author-illustrator Estelí Meza. Conejo turns to his friends when his house is blown away in a storm; while they cannot find his house, they help him find his way. The book will be published in a simultaneous Spanish-language edition, Buscando un hogar, in spring 2021; Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary did the deal for world rights.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Mark Fearing's picture book Castle Gesundheit. No one in the village of Handkerchief can get any rest because Baron Von Sneeze won't stop sneezing, until a boy named Finn figures out an ingenious solution that makes everyone happy (mostly). Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought Is Was, a new picture book from Carl and the Meaning of Life author-illustrator Deborah Freedman that explores both innocent everyday change, and consequential far-reaching transformations, in elemental fashion. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Stephen Barr at Writers House sold world rights.
Katie Moore at Magination Press has acquired Jennifer Zivoin's first picture book as author-illustrator, Pooka & Bunni. When Pooka accidentally breaks her big sister Bunni's castle, she has to find a creative way for a small monster to solve a big problem. Publication is set for spring 2021; Mela Bolinao at MB Artists negotiated the deal for world rights.
Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world rights to 1, 2, 3, Salish Sea by Nikki McClure, a counting book featuring McClure's favorite creatures that live in and alongside the Salish Sea. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Steven Malk at Writers House brokered the deal.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has acquired Uma! Uma! Uma! by Reif Larsen (l.), author of adult novel The Selected Works of T.S Spivet, and Ben Gibson, co-founder of infographics company Pop Chart. This picture book is about a girl who loves to make charts and tries to create one of her own home. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Denise Shannon at Denise Shannon Literary Agency represented both creators for world rights.
Clarissa Wong at HarperCollins has bought Extra Ezra, a picture book by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch. Ezra is a little extra in everything he does, but when he sets out to connect with a quiet new girl in class, he learns that friendship isn't necessarily about over-the-top gestures. Publication is set for fall 2021; Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary represented the author, and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary represented the artist.
Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has acquired world rights for Margriet Ruurs's (l.) This Is Where We Live, an illustrated map book taking a look at neighborhoods around the world, showing how real children live their daily lives. Wenjia Tang will illustrate. Publication is slated for spring 2021; the author represented herself, and Aurora Meyer at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Bonnie Clark's (l.) picture book Catching Thoughts, a story about a girl plagued by an unwanted, negative thought. When nothing works to rid herself of this thought, the girl finds a way to grab hold of positive thoughts to focus on instead. Summer Macon will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2020. Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Agency represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
