Catherine Wallace at HarperCollins has acquired Hot British Boyfriend, a debut YA novel by Kristy Boyce. Following a horrifying (and viral) public rejection, Ellie crashes her high school's honors study abroad trip to England to rebuild her reputation and self-confidence. And nothing is more of a confidence booster than a hot British boyfriend, but what if her perfect British boyfriend isn't actually the perfect boy for her? Publication is planned for winter 2021; Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought, at auction, two books by Linda Urban. Almost There and Almost Not is a middle-grade novel about 11-year-old California Poppy, who finds a welcoming home with her great-aunt and the two odd ghosts who share her house. The second book is an untitled YA novel about high school sophomore Francie (short for Frankincense) who is desperate to save her family's Christmas–themed gift empire from the machinations of her nasty Aunt Carole—and wouldn’t mind getting her first real kiss, either. Publication is set for spring 2021 and fall 2022, respectively; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Alexandra Cooper at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired, at auction, Clues to the Universe, a middle grade debut by 20-year-old Stanford University undergrad Christina Li. In the book, Ro, a budding rocket scientist, befriends Benji, an introverted artist, and the two set out to build a rocket and search for Benji's long-lost father using clues in his bestselling space comics. Publication is scheduled for winter 2021; Jessica Regel at Foundry Literary Media did the deal for North American rights.
Orlando Dos Reis at Scholastic has bought Some Bunny to Love by Michelle Schusterman (The Dog’s Miaow). Pitched as Homeward Bound meets The Secret Life of Pets, the middle-grade novel is about Evie, a nervous pet rabbit who runs away from her bunny-sitter when her owner has to go on a family trip. Alone and terrified, Evie teams up with Bart, a street-smart stray Shiba Inu, and together they embark on a Bonnie and Clyde-style journey across New York to find home and safety. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired North American rights to Nick Courage's middle grade novel Snow Struck. When an arctic blast slams New York City, a group of kids (and one plucky Pomeranian) must rely on their wits, their courage, and each other to survive the dangerous cold, snow, and ice that is blanketing Manhattan. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Rachel Ekstrom at Folio Literary Management represented the author in the deal.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought world rights to We Drilled He-Man into Their Pea Brains by Box Brown. The nonfiction graphic novel explores children's marketing and advertising in the Reagan era and how the ads that targeted children then have shaped adults—and the very fabric of American culture—today. Publication is scheduled for 2021; Charlie Olsen at Inkwell Management negotiated the deal.
Dana Chiidac at Dial has acquired The Many Mysteries of the Finkel Family by Sarah Kapit (Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen!). Kapit's latest middle-grade novel features two autistic sisters who start a detective agency to solve life's most consequential mysteries, from “why did Dad burn the Shabbat brisket?” to “what does it take to be a good friend?” Publication is set for spring 2021; Jennifer Udden at New Leaf Literary & Media did the deal for world English rights.
Sailaja Joshi at Mango and Marigold Press (formally Bharat Babies) has bought North American rights to Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, Payal Doshi's debut middle grade novel. The book follows Rea Chettri, a 12-year-old girl living a simple, if boring, life on the tea plantations of Darjeeling, India. When her twin brother goes missing, Rea is determined to save him, and embarks on an adventure into the enchanted world of Astranthia. This is the first book in the Chronicles of Astranthia series and is the first middle grade novel for the publishing house. Publication is slated for spring 2021; the author was unagented.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought, at auction, Have You Ever Seen a Flower? by Shawn Harris in his authorial debut. The picture book takes readers on a journey of unique proximities and perspectives, while celebrating the beauty of nature, ourselves, and the mysterious and undeniable connection between the two. Publication is set for spring 2021; Steven Malk at Writers House represented Harris in the deal for world rights.
Sylvie Frank at S&S/Wiseman has acquired, on exclusive submission, New York Times Best Illustrated Award winner John Parra's untitled picture book debut as author-illustrator. Inspired by Parra's childhood, it follows a boy as he accompanies his father, a landscape contractor, through his day on the job. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Adriana Dominguez and Stefanie Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented Parra in the deal for world rights.
Kelsey Skea at Two Lions has bought Alison McGhee's Someone Like Me, a picture book about a displaced child's hopes for their new home. Hatem Aly will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2021. Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator in the deal for North American rights.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has acquired world rights to No Bunnies Here! by author Tammi Sauer and illustrator Ross Burach. The picture book features a crafty bunny who tries to convince a fox there are no rabbits nearby for eating, despite the fact that many, many bunnies keep bouncing onto the pages. Publication is planned for spring 2022; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
Christina Pulles at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to The Big Beach Cleanup by Charlotte Offsay (l.), illustrated by Katie Rewse. The book features a girl joining with her community to clean their local seashore of plastic litter. Publication is set for spring 2021; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has acquired world rights to Baseball Baby and Soccer Baby written by Laura Gehl and illustrated by Reggie Brown, two volumes in a new board book series about sports. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Christy Tugeau Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Alison Marcotte's (l.) debut picture book Seeking Best Friend, in which various unexpected characters answer an ad placed by a girl looking for a new best friend; the girl ultimately discovers the way to find a good friend is to be a good friend. Diane Ewen will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2021. The author represented herself, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Adams at Sounds True has bought world rights for The In-Between Book by Chris Willard and Olivia Weisser (c.), illustrated by Alison Oliver (r.). The book explores mindfulness through the Japanese concept of “ma,” or the spaces we find between—between breaths, between stars and sky, between a question and its answer. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Carol Mann at Carol Mann Agency represented the authors, and Susan Hawk at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.
