Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has acquired world rights to Cress Watercress, written by Gregory Maguire (l.). Cress Watercress, a thoughtful young rabbit, has lost her father, and the family must move house. This anthropomorphized animal adventure is about growing up, moving on, and finding home. David Litchfield will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2022. Moses Cardona at John Hawkins and Associates represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Ken Wright at Viking has bought author David Arnold's fourth YA novel, The Electric Kingdom; Dana Leydig will edit. Pitched as Station Eleven for YA, the book is set in a world where swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, and a girl and her dog navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England in search of a mythical portal. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Daniel Lazar at Writers House negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired, at auction, The Keeper of Night plus a sequel by debut author Kylie Lee Baker. The dark fantasy stars a half-Reaper, half-Shinigami, caught between her two worlds and belonging to neither, who fights monsters and struggles for acceptance in a 19th-century Japan that is haunted by the Goddess of Death. Publication is set for fall 2021; Mary C. Moore at Kimberley Cameron & Associates did the deal for world English rights.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought an untitled YA graphic novel by Liz Montague, the first black female cartoonist to be published in the New Yorker. The coming-of-age memoir deals with issues of identity and community and chronicles the author's path to becoming an artist. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates brokered the deal for world rights.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired world English rights to Ashley Schumacher's Full Flight, a YA contemporary novel told in alternating perspectives, about an exuberant girl and a solitary boy who are forced to work together on a duet in their small-town marching band. With rumors flying and time running out before the big competition, the two must perfect their music while coming to terms with the loneliness they are both battling. The book is planned for publication in 2022; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Krista Vitola at Simon & Schuster has bought, in a preempt, Shanna Miles's debut YA novel, For All We Know. Pitched as Cloud Atlas meets The Sun Is Also a Star, the story follows two teens fated to repeat their love story across hundreds of lifetimes, from 14th-century Mali to the distant future, as they struggle to break the cycle. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; John Cusick at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Kat Brzozowski at Swoon Reads has acquired The Scientific Method for Getting Luckie by Heather Truett, in which a teen boy uses the scientific method drilled into him by his scientist father to begin a kissing experiment. But the experiment gets messy, and Stephen will have to come clean if he wants to win one special girl's heart. Publication is set for spring/summer 2021; Hilary Harwell at kt literary handled the deal for world rights.
Susan Rich at Little, Brown has bought Kathleen Lane's Pity Party, a darkly comic middle grade collection that explores everyday anxieties though short stories, a personality quiz, a fortune telling machine, an interactive choose your own catastrophe, and more, in a life-affirming reminder of just how much misery loves company. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Charlotte Sheedy at Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook acquired Maxwell Eaton III's (The Truth About… series) Survival Scout, a nonfiction middle-grade graphic novel series in which a girl repeatedly (and somehow humorously) escapes natural and human-caused disasters with carefully detailed survival skills, a level head, grit, and the running commentary of at least one know-it-all skunk. Simultaneous publication for the first two titles, Lost in the Mountains and Tsunami, is planned for winter 2023; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought Pura Belpré Honor author Rebecca Balcárcel's next middle grade novel, Luz. Injured soccer star Luz is having a hard enough time reframing her identity as a computer programmer, but when her father reveals a secret from his native Guatemala, she learns what it means to truly start over—by first opening her heart. Publication is set for spring 2022; Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates did the deal for world English rights.
Tara Weikum at HarperCollins has acquired, in a two-book deal, debut author Yvette Clark's middle-grade novel, Glitter Gets Everywhere. The book centers on 12-year-old Kitty, whose mother has recently died, and who must leave her cozy life in London for an exciting—if not entirely welcome—adventure in New York City. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic brokered the deal for world English rights.
Jeff Fuerst at Reycraft has bought Chasing Bigfoot by Art Coulson. This middle grade novel follows a Cherokee teen who travels to the hills of North Carolina with his family of storytellers and encounters a mysterious creature, unscrupulous treasure hunters, and a boulder with ancient writing that only he can read, which could be the key to the greatest mystery of all. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Jacqui Lipton at Raven Quill Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Cecily Kaiser at RISE x Penguin Workshop has acquired two projects by Rob Hodgson: The Cloud Book, a long-form picture book that follows a cloud on her journey through the weather cycle, and an untitled board book of spider web opposites. Publication is planned for spring 2021 and summer 2021, respectively; Andrea Morrison at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Where Can You Find a Book?, the debut picture book by Jane Mount (Bibliophile), founder of Ideal Bookshelf. The book explores all the places children discover books and develop a love of reading, from their local library to bookmobiles and biblioburros. An untitled reading-themed activity journal was included in the two-book deal. Publication is set for fall 2022; Kate Woodrow at Present Perfect did the deal.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. The book traces the history of African Americans in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa and chronicles the devastation that occurred in 1921 when a white mob attacked the black community. Publication is scheduled to coincide with the 100th anniversary in spring 2021; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself in the deal.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights to Lisa Tolin's picture book debut, How to Be a Rock Star, a whimsical how-to guide on starting a rock band. Daniel Duncan will illustrate. Publication is slated for summer 2022; Lindsay Davis Auld at Writers House represented Tolin, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented Duncan.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Ruby's Reunion Day Dinner by Angela Dalton (l.), illustrated by Jestenia Southerland. The picture book is about a girl who struggles to find what would be her perfect "signature dish" to add to her family's reunion day dinner. Publication is planned for winter 2022; Mary Cummings at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Nan Froman at Groundwood Books has acquired world rights to When I Listen to Silence by Jean E. Pendziwol (l.), illustrated by Carmen Mok, a picture book exploration of the bursts of creativity and inspiration that can come through stillness and silence. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; the author represented herself, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Opening the Road: Victor Hugo Green and His Green Book, written by Keila Dawson (l.) and illustrated by Alleanna Harris. This nonfiction picture book tells the untold true story of the postman who wrote the Green Book travel guides published from 1936 to 1966 that African Americans used to plan safe road trips and vacations. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Dawn Frederick at Red Sofa Literary represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Horton at Delacorte has acquired world rights to bestselling author Lisi Harrison's new series The Pack. Pitched as Spirit Animals meets Mean Girls, the series features a girl named Sadie, who is sent to a school for girls with animal-like magic. Sadie learns she has the fiercest kind of all and is thrust to the top of the food chain when she is invited to join a group known as The Pack. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Richard Abate at 3 Arts Entertainment negotiated the deal.
Karen Wojtyla at S&S/McElderry has bought, at auction, 2020 Morris Award finalist Nafiza Azad's YA novel The Wild Ones: A Broken Anthem for a Girl Nation. The novel is a multi-perspective feminist narrative about a fierce band of magic-wielding girls—the Wild Ones—who have survived unspeakable things, and are determined to save other girls from the cruelties and tragedies they've had to endure. Publication is set for summer 2021; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Stephanie Guerdan at HarperTeen has acquired Anthony Oliveira's graphic novel Apocrypha, pitched as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Paradise Lost, in which a teen guided by an angel and another possessed by a demon find themselves at the center of a terrible cosmic war—and their own confusing queer awakenings. Publication is planned for winter 2023; Lauren Abramo at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Rebecca Kuss at Inkyard Press has bought world rights to Eric Smith's You Can Go Your Own Way, a YA romantic comedy about a boy trying to save his family's aging pinball arcade, and a girl whose tech giant dad wants to buy it. When the two get stuck there during Philadelphia’s biggest-ever snowstorm, they'll have to work together to make it out. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Dawn Frederick at Red Sofa Literary represented the author.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired world English rights to Small Favors by Erin A. Craig (House of Salt and Sorrows). Ellerie Downing lives with her beekeeping family in the secluded mountain town of Amity Falls. When strange activities plague the town, all signs point to a group of mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents' deepest desires for a small favor. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic negotiated the deal.
Nicole Sclama at HMH has bought world English rights to Sarah Hollowell's debut contemporary YA fantasy, A Dark and Starless Forest, about nine magical siblings who live in a secluded house cut off from the rest of the world by a sinister forest with their enigmatic caretaker, who is grooming them for a dark and mysterious purpose. Publication is set for fall 2021; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency handled the deal.
Susan Van Metre at Walker Books US has acquired North American rights to How to Love, based on cartoonist Alex Norris's advice column of the same name. The first title in a two-book deal, How to Love is a humorous and heartfelt collection of comics aimed at young people who are experiencing falling in love for the first time. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Christopher Schelling at Selectric Artists brokered the deal.
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown has bought world rights to Margie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code by Bridget Farr (Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home). The middle grade novel features a girl who leads a protest at her middle school after she is unfairly dress-coded. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong negotiated the deal.
Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired Yehudi Mercado's Chunky and an untitled sequel. The middle grade graphic memoir is about the author's lifelong struggle with his weight and trying to meet the expectations of his sporty dad while growing up in a lower middle class Mexican-Jewish family in Houston in the 1980s. Will Hudi's imaginary mascot, Chunky, be able to cheer him in the right direction of pursuing theater? (Hint: Yes, he will.) Publication is slated for summer 2021; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has bought Jay Hosler's The Way of the Hive, a middle-grade graphic novel about Nyuki, a talkative young honeybee on a lifelong journey avoiding predators, annoying her sisters, and learning to trust her inner voice as she discovers the way of the hive. Publication is set for winter 2021; Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick has acquired world rights to A Brand New Year by author-illustrator Matt Tavares (Dasher), a celebration, in the spirit of Oh, the Places You'll Go!, of all the new adventures, challenges, and wondrous possibilities that await in the new year. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal.
Melissa Manlove at Chronicle has bought world rights to Elizabeth Brown's (l.) The World Entire, a picture book biography of Portuguese diplomat Aristides de Sousa Mendes, who defied his government during World War II and helped save thousands of Jewish refugees, at great personal cost. Society of Illustrators Original Art gold medalist Melissa Castrillón will illustrate. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the author, and Helen Boyle at Pickled Ink represented the artist.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft has acquired Saving Granddaddy's Stories by Shannon Hitchcock (One True Way). This picture book biography details the life of award-winning storyteller Ray Hicks, known as the "Voice of Appalachia." Publication is slated for fall 2021; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Ginny O'Donnell at Cottage Door Press has bought author-illustrator Katie Turner's Vanilla Bean, a picture book about a cute but picky eater, vanilla ice cream, and trying something new. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 did the deal for world rights.
Hilary B. Van Dusen at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to Newbery Honor author Margi Preus's Lily Leads the Way, a picture book about a friendly little boat who escorts a group of tall ships safely under a lift bridge, to be illustrated by Geisel Honor winner Matt Myers. Publication is set for spring 2022; Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz (l.), leader of the two-time Latin Grammy-winning children's band, The Lucky Band. Inspired by the song of the same name, the debut picture book is an immigrant anthem in which all corners of the city come together over ice cream. Micah Player (Friday Night Wrestlefest and Vote for Our Future) will illustrate. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Sara Camilli at the Sara Camilli Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Penguin Workshop has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to Mother Goose to the Rescue, written by Nate Evans (co-author of the Jellybeans series) and Stephanie Gwyn Brown (c.); Jessica Gibson (r.) will illustrate. Mother Goose and other nursery rhyme characters rush to save the day when a fire breaks out at the castle bakery. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the authors, and the Lemonade Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Rachel Sonis and Nathaniel Tabachnik at Penguin Workshop have bought, at auction, world English rights to Respecting the Mic, edited by (clockwise from top l.) Hanif Abdurraqib, Franny Choi, Dan “Sully” Sullivan, and Peter Kahn. An anthology of new work from alumni and current students of Oak Park River Forest High School's Spoken Word Club, the book features poetry from NBA basketball star Iman Shumpert, HBO's Insecure's Langston Kerman, Youth Poet Laureate Kara Jackson, and others. Publication is set for summer 2021; Hannah Brattesani at the Friedrich Agency negotiated the deal.
