Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Time Will Tell by Barry Lyga (I Hunt Killers), a YA crime thriller ricocheting between the crimes of the past and present, where a group of teens unearth a time capsule buried by their parents when they were in high school, only to find a murder weapon inside. The book is scheduled for spring 2021; Kathleen Anderson at Anderson Literary Management negotiated the deal.
Laura Schreiber and Hannah Allaman at Disney-Hyperion have bought 10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston (10 Blind Dates), which has sold in 23 territories and for which Ace Entertainment has optioned film rights. The new story focuses on two different teens from the large Italian-American family of the first novel. When they swap phones—and life challenges—in the party-circuit run-up to high-school graduation, disastrous but transformative consequences unfold. Publication is set for spring 2021; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired world English rights to Botched by Shannon Gibney (Dream Country). A blend of speculative fiction and memoir, the book explores Shannon's childhood as a mixed black transracial adoptee while weaving together multiple imagined timelines—if her adoption had never happened; if her children were her parents and if her adoptive parents were her children; if she had met her birth father—in order to make sense of her identity for her teenage self. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners did the deal.
Elizabeth Strahanan at Crown has bought, at auction, Alexa Donne's The Ivies, a YA thriller about a group of prep school elites who would kill to get into the college of their dreams—literally. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Elana Roth Parker at Laura Dail Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Jennifer Ung at Simon Pulse has acquired world rights to Meredith Ireland's debut YA, The Jasmine Project, pitched as My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets The Bachelorette by way of Jenny Han, about a Korean-American adoptee who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a competition for her heart, as orchestrated by her overbearing but loving family. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Lauren Abramo at Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret brokered the deal.
Susan Van Metre at Walker Books US has bought The Space Between Loneliness and Fear by Jennifer Mason-Black (Devil and the Bluebird), a YA literary thriller about a home-bound girl who unravels the mystery of a missing local boy, while someone online is determined to keep the truth buried at any cost. Publication is set for fall 2021; Alice Speilburg at the Speilburg Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to Jeremy Whitley's three-book graphic novel series The Dog Knight, illustrated by Bre Indigo, in which a non-binary kid must balance the real life troubles of middle school with the chance to face the forces of chaos alongside a council of dog superheroes. Publication of the first book is planned for early 2021; Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the illustrator.
Brian Geffen at Holt has bought, at auction, Julian Randall's debut middle-grade contemporary fantasy novel, Pilar Ramirez and the Prison of Zafa, in a two-book deal. When 12-year-old Pilar sets off on a journey to track down information on her cousin, who disappeared under the Trujillo regime, she finds herself transported to an island world filled with Dominican myths and legends, where her cousin and others are being held captive by the Dominican boogeyman. Publication is slated for winter 2022; Patrice Caldwell at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Erica Sussman at HarperCollins has acquired world English rights to Greg van Eekhout's Weird Kid, a middle grade novel about a shapeshifting alien blob of goo stranded on Earth and raised by humans. He must navigate the first year of middle school, the mysterious takeover of his neighbors by suspicious goo-impostors, and his own new and distressing tendency to sprout feathers or turn ever so slightly liquid at the worst possible moment. Publication is scheduled for winter 2021; Holly Root at Root Literary brokered the deal.
Weslie Turner at Macmillan/Imprint has bought world rights to Stella's Stellar Hair, Yesenia Moises's debut as author-illustrator, in an exclusive submission. The picture book is about a black girl embarking on an interplanetary journey to get help with her hair from her fabulous aunties across the solar system. Publication is set for spring 2021; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency handled the deal.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Paulsen has acquired world rights to Molly Ruttan's Something Wild, about a girl who imagines all the wild things she wishes would happen to keep her from having to perform at her violin recital. Publication is planned for spring 2022; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author-illustrator.
Clarissa Wong at HarperCollins has bought, in a preempt, debut author Lily LaMotte's (l.) graphic novel, Measuring Up, for new graphic novel imprint Harper Alley, in a two-book world rights deal. Ann Xu will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2020. In the story, a girl enters a cooking competition to win money to bring her beloved Amah to America, and must figure out a way to blend her Taiwanese culture and her new American identity as she channels her inner Julia Child. Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Susan Graham at Einstein Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired world rights to Olphabet by Jess Brallier, illustrated by Nichola Cowdery. This picture book follows what happens when the letter “O” decides to move to the head of the alphabet. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; the author represented himself, and Sam Groff at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Jordan Brown at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought, in a five-house auction, world rights to author Tracey Baptiste's (l.) picture book Looking for a Jumbie, with illustrations by Amber Ren. Pitched in the tradition of We're Going on a Bear Hunt with a Caribbean spin, the book features a child who sneaks out at night to go on a hunt for mythical creatures with unexpected results. Publication is set for summer 2021; Marie Lamba at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the author, and Jennifer Rofe at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Eliza Berkowitz, formerly at Sterling Children's Books, has acquired world rights to Baby Scientist author Laura Gehl's (l.) Judge Juliette, a picture book introduction to the legal system starring the irrepressible Juliette as she navigates her courtroom and the neighborhood kids (and the grownups in their lives). Eve Adler will edit; Marilia (Mari) Lobo will illustrate. Publication is planned for fall 2020. Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Emily Coggins at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Liza Kaplan at Philomel has acquired world rights, in a preempt, to Living Beyond Borders: Stories About Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita "Margie" Longoria, librarian at Mission High School and founder of Border Book Bash RGV and Margie's Must Reads. The anthology explores the complexity of the word "border" in all its literal and metaphorical meanings, featuring stories, poetry, and more from Mexican-American creators and influencers such as Celia Pérez, Angela Cervantes, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, René Saldaña Jr., Francisco X. Stork, and others. Publication is set for summer 2021; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency brokered the deal.
Nicole Ellul at Simon Pulse has bought world rights to Cynthia Platt's Postcards from Summer. Hoping to understand a mother she never knew, a teen girl travels to her late mother's summer home to unravel the mystery behind the cryptic postcard that tells of the tragedy—and the forbidden romance—that changed her mother's life forever. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal.
Phoebe Yeh at Crown has acquired world rights, in a two-book deal, to Steve L. McEvil, a middle grade graphic novel series by Lucas Turnbloom about Steve L. McEvil, a boy who hopes to become the greatest supervillain ever, just like his grandfather—but first, he has to survive having a crush and the new kid at school. Publication for the first book, Steve L. McEvil: Middle School Supervillain, is slated for spring 2022; Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary Management did the deal.
Maria Barbo at HarperCollins has bought world rights to the first six books in Trouble at Table 5, an illustrated chapter book series from Tom Watson (Stick Dog and Stick Cat), with two-color art by Marta Kissi, about three best friends whose plans, missions, and schemes are sure to shake up their school. Publication is planned for winter 2020; Doug Stewart at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired world rights to author and editor Aileen Weintraub's (l.) We Got Game: 35 Female Athletes Who Changed the World, illustrated by Sarah Green. The middle grade anthology profiles women throughout a range of sports who have played hard, broken records, and proved that girls can do anything, all while promoting social activism. Publication is set for fall 2020; Susan Cohen at Writers House represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong of the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Ken Geist at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, Jess Keating's first graphic novel, Bunbun & Bonbon, which launches a younger graphic novel series for beginning readers. The chronicles of an adventurous rabbit and the fanciest talking candy in the forest is a buddy story about exploring together. The first book is scheduled for fall 2020; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Emily Daluga at Abrams/Amulet has acquired Thanks a Lot, Universe and an untitled second middle-grade novel by debut author Chad Lucas. As anxious seventh-grader Brian struggles to pick up the pieces after a family crisis, Ezra, a boy from his basketball team, wants to help but fears his friends will figure out that he has a crush on Brian. Both boys must decide if they're willing to risk being vulnerable—and maybe find the best in themselves and each other. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis brokered the deal for world English rights.
Chris Hernandez, when he was at HarperCollins, bought world English rights to Kim Ventrella's The Secret Life of Sam. Elizabeth Lynch will edit. The middle grade novel tells the story of a boy adjusting to life in small-town Oklahoma with his estranged aunt, while secretly trying to rescue his recently deceased father from a mysterious world hidden inside an old tree. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Brianne Johnson at Writers House negotiated the deal.
Kristin Gilson at Simon & Schuster/Aladdin has acquired Megan E. Freeman's debut middle-grade verse novel, tentatively titled Lone Girl. In this contemporary retelling of Island of the Blue Dolphins, a scheme to host a secret sleepover turns into a nightmarish adventure when 12-year-old Madeleine is left alone in a suburban Colorado town that has been mysteriously evacuated. Publication is set for spring 2021; Deborah Warren at East West Literary did the deal for North American rights.
Allyn Johnston at S&S/Beach Lane has bought world rights to The Dark Was Done, a picture book written and illustrated by Lauren Stringer (Yellow Time), about what happens when Darkness itself goes missing. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/HG Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Donna Bray at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired world rights to Like a Dandelion by author-illustrator Huy Voun Lee. Inspired by Lee's move to the U.S. as a Cambodian child refugee, the picture book compares the beauty, strength, and resilience of dandelions to the experiences of an immigrant girl and her mother putting down roots in a new city. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Claire Easton at Painted Words represented Lee.
Rick Rinehart at Globe Pequot/Muddy Boots has bought North American English rights to Rich Lo's After the Snowfall, a picture book set in North America about a fox's journey to a stream and the animals it encounters. Publication is planned for October 2020; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Jill Davis at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Estelle Laure's (l.) The Definitive Guide to Finding the Perfect Pet, following a girl's journey to find her perfect animal companion and the peaceful coexistence that comes with it, illustrated by Amy Hevron. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought world rights to The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang (l.), illustrated by Khoa Le. Drawn from Kalia's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this picture book weaves together her story with that of her beloved grandmother. The family has little money, but they share a great deal of love, and when Kalia wishes for things they cannot buy, it is her grandmother who helps her see what matters the most. Publication is set for fall 2020; Bill Clegg at the Clegg Agency represented the author, and Kate Kendrick at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Kallie George at Greystone Kids has acquired world rights to I'm a Peaceful Goldfish as part of a two-book deal for author Shoshana Chaim (l.). Lori Joy Smith will illustrate this book about mindfulness, which teaches young readers how to take calming breaths through a series of imaginary scenarios. Publication is planned for 2021; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to Applesauce Is Fun to Wear by Nancy Raines Day (l.), illustrated by Jane Massey, a picture book about a messy baby who discovers that wearing one's food is much more fun than eating it. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Tricia Lawrence at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
