Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, in a two-book deal, Stonewall Honor author Anna-Marie McLemore's YA novel The Mirror Season, a magical realism reimagining of “The Snow Queen,” in which two teens who were sexually assaulted at the same party find their fates unexpectedly intertwined during a month of vanishing trees, enchanted pan dulce, and inherited magic. Publication is set for winter 2021, with a second untitled novel to follow in winter 2022; Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
John Morgan at Macmillan/Imprint has bought world rights to Erin Beaty's YA fantasy thriller Whispers of Blood and Moonlight and a follow-up. In the novel, a young woman who watches over building sites by moonlight uncovers a murder and an outcast community with mysterious abilities. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Valerie Noble at Donaghy Literary Group brokered the deal.
Clarissa Wong at HarperCollins/HarperAlley has acquired, at auction, world rights to Firebird, the debut YA graphic novel by Sunmi, in a two-book deal. Firebird follows Caroline as she crushes on Kim, an older student she tutors, and their friendship through their varied experiences as queer children of Asian-American immigrants. Publication is scheduled for 2022; Susan Graham at Einstein Literary Management handled the deal.
Kiara Valdez at First Second has bought world rights to Volta by Dorian Christo (l.) and Andy Robles-Valdez. The YA graphic novel features the intertwined fates of Luciano Vega, a small-town musician who moves to the city to make it big; and Orpheus Apolonio, a once-renowned violinist who, after a tragic accident, became a recluse and is plagued with mysterious premonitions. Publication is planned for 2022; the authors represented themselves.
Andrew Eliopulos at HarperCollins has acquired, at auction, Ryan Graudin (l.) and Amie Kaufman's middle-grade adventure fantasy series, The World Between Blinks. The books follow two cousins who stumble from our world into a magical place where all lost things end up. Amid ghost ships, lost cities, and keys to vanished doors, Jake and Marisol find themselves responsible for the fate of not just one world but two. The first title will publish in winter 2021; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.
Kate Prosswimmer at S&S/McElderry has bought Ace of Shades author Amanda Foody's Wilderlore, a middle grade fantasy series, in a two-book preempt. The first novel, The Accidental Apprentice, tells of Barclay Thorne, a boy whose highest ambition is to be a mushroom farmer, who unwittingly bonds with a magical Beast in the Woods and is swept up in the mysterious Lore Keeper's Guild, a dangerous apprenticeship exam, and—against his wishes—adventure. Publication is set for spring 2021; Whitney Ross at Irene Goodman Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to These Unlucky Stars and a second standalone middle grade novel by Gillian McDunn (Caterpillar Summer and the forthcoming The Queen Bee and Me). When a game of Ding Dong Ditch goes wrong, Annie is saddled with the responsibility of caring for the badly behaved dog of her cantankerous neighbor. But as Annie overcomes her fears, she learns that sometimes friendship—and luck—is what you make of it. Publication is scheduled for winter 2021 and 2022; Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Erin Stein at Macmillan/Imprint has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Glam Prix Racers, a graphic novel series by Deanna Kent and Neil Hooson. Pitched as Mario Kart meets My Little Pony, Mio the mermaid and Mudwick the monster truck use sparkle, speed, and a lot of teamwork as they zoom around Glittergear Island, competing to win the coveted Glam Prix Cup. Book one is slated for spring 2021; Gemma Cooper at the Bent Agency represented the author and the illustrator in the three-book deal.
Cynthia Leitich Smith and Rosemary Brosnan at HarperCollins have acquired three books in a chapter book series by Turtle Mountain Band Ojibwe Nation citizen Dawn Quigley (Apple in the Middle) for the new Heartdrum imprint. In the first book, which will publish in summer 2021, Jo Jo approaches the first-grade social scene with heart and humor. Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary did the deal for world English rights.
Kate Meltzer at Roaring Brook has bought Big Jobs, a board book series by author-illustrator Steven Weinberg, featuring some of the appliances often found around the home and the important roles they play. The three books in the series—Washer & Dryer, Fridge & Oven, and Dishwasher—will publish simultaneously in fall 2021; Marcia Wernick at Wernick & Pratt Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Cecily Kaiser at Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to The Invisible Alphabet, written by Joshua David Stein (l.) and illustrated by Ron Barrett. From Air to Zero, this abecedarium of things unseen offers clues to what once was or may soon be there. Publication is planned for September 2020; Rica Allannic at the David Black Literary Agency represented the author, and Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the artist.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has bought, at auction, world rights to Téo's Tutu, a picture book by Maryann Jacob Macias (l.), illustrated by Alea Marley, about a boy who must make a choice between his nerves and his heart when deciding whether to wear his beloved tutu in his ballet recital. Publication is set for fall 2021, with a second book by Macias to follow; Danielle Burby at Nelson Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Phoebe Yeh at Crown has acquired world rights to Kristen Mai Giang's (l.) The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan, a picture book biography about the trailblazing actor who combines comedy and martial arts in his one-of-a-kind movie roles. Alina Chau will illustrate. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Yasemin Ucar at Kids Can has bought world rights to Bunnyloo by J.F. Fox (l.), illustrated by Anna Kwan, in a two-book deal. Based on a supposedly true historical event, Bunnyloo offers young readers an introduction to one of history's most notable figures, Napoleon Bonaparte, and tells of his most crushing defeat: that time he was attacked by a bunch of bunnies. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Vicky Holifield and Kathy Landwehr at Peachtree have acquired world rights to Mega Predators of the Past by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Howard Gray. Instead of featuring the usual suspects like T. rex, this book will introduce readers to some of the lesser known but equally oversized and ferocious predators from the distant past, such as the griffenfly, the giant ripper lizard, and the terror bird. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Melinda Rathjen at Hachette/WorthyKids has bought world rights to The Night Baafore Easter by Dawn Young and illustrated by Pablo Pino. The picture book is set on Easter Eve when a boy can't sleep and plans to count sheep. But when the flock spots Easter goodies, chaos ensues, and the boy frantically tries to sort out the mess so he can get to sleep before the Easter Bunny arrives. Publication is set for January 2021; Mary Cummings at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has acquired world rights to Volcanoes: Where Fire and Water Meet, a nonfiction picture book by Mary M. Cerullo (Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster). This photographic book explores volcanoes' paradoxical powers of destruction and creation, on land and in the sea. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; the author represented herself in the deal.
Erin Stein and Weslie Turner at Macmillan/Imprint have acquired world English rights to How Maya Got Fierce by Sona Charaipotra (Symptoms of a Heartbreak). Pitched as The Bold Type meets Younger, the YA contemporary novel follows a 17-year-old California farm girl who accidentally lands her dream job at a New York City women's magazine. One problem: They think she's 26. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Victoria Marini at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency negotiated the deal on behalf of CAKE Literary.
Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has bought, in a preempt, Mysterious Ways by Wendy Wunder. When 18-year-old Maya looks at someone, she instantly knows everything about them, which makes starting at a new school and meeting a guy she actually wants to be around more than a little challenging. No one would ever believe her superpower—so what happens when someone does, and challenges her to use it for good? Publication is set for fall 2021; Sara Shandler, Joelle Hobeika, and Josh Bank at Alloy Entertainment brokered the deal for world English rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired debut author Miel Moreland's #OwnVoices novel It Goes Like This, about a former queer pop band, the fallout of their globally mourned breakup, and the hometown storm that brings the teens back together, leaving them to wonder if they can rebuild more than just the town. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Jessica Errera at Jane Rotrosen Agency handled the deal for North American rights.
Mora Couch at Holiday House has bought, in a two-book deal, debut author Crystal Maldonado's Fat Chance, Charlie Vega. The YA novel is about a teenage girl who follows her writing dreams, resists her mother's weight-loss schemes, and even falls for the cute boy from art class—until she realizes that he may be after her BFF. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Tamar Rydzinski at Context Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Karen Chaplin at HarperCollins has acquired two middle grade novels by Caela Carter (One Speck of Truth). The first untitled book is about Gwendolyn, a chronically frustrated girl who often loses control but decides to try to treat her anger herself before her frequent suspensions cause her single mother to lose her job. Publication is slated for fall 2021, with a second untitled book to follow in 2022. Kate McKean brokered the two-book deal for North American English rights.
Anne Heltzel at Abrams/Amulet has bought world rights to Rebecca Caprara's middle grade series, Mission: Multiverse, in which five middle-school band geeks accidentally travel to an alternate dimension, where they discover that their own universe's destruction is imminent, and against all odds find a way to rescue their families—and all of humankind. Publication of the first book is set for 2021, with a second to follow in 2022; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis did the deal.
Carol Hinz at Millbrook Press has acquired world rights to Wild Style: Amazing Animal Adornments by Jenna Grodzicki. The nonfiction photo book highlights animals that accessorize in unusual ways and looks at how these adornments help the animals survive. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Victoria Selvaggio at Storm Literary Agency represented the author.
Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to Dear Sirs by Julie Falatko, illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo, an epistolary picture book in which a grumpy owl places orders with his local independent bookstore squirrel, who always has just the right book. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Jennifer Laughran at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has bought world rights to Laurie Wallmark's Dino Pajama Party: A Bedtime Book, illustrated by Michael Robertson. Julie Matysik will edit. A group of dinosaurs rock, roll, boogie, sing, drum, and jive their way toward bedtime in this take on slumber party antics. Publication is set for fall 2021; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Patricia Lindgren at Lindgren Smith represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to Remembering Barkley, written by Erin Frankel (l.) and illustrated by Aboo Yang. The picture book tells the tale of grieving for a friend and knowing you're not alone, from the perspective of a dog. Publication is scheduled for October 2020; Susan Cohen at Writers House represented the author, and Cathy Hsu at udnFunLife represented the illustrator.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has bought world rights to Cold Turkey by authors Corey Rosen Schwartz (l.) and Kirsti Call. Chad Otis will illustrate. In this rhyming story, a bundled-up turkey gives away pieces of winter clothing to chilly animal friends. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Emma Sector at Prospect Agency represented the authors, and Robin Rue at Writers House represented the artist.
