Alice Jerman at HarperTeen has acquired a new series, beginning with Realm Breaker, by bestselling author Victoria Aveyard (the Red Queen series). When the heroes fall, who is left to save the world? With the realm at the mercy of evil beyond comprehension, only the 17-year-old daughter of the chosen one and her ragtag group of allies can save it. Publication of the first novel is scheduled for summer 2021; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal for North American rights.
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, We Are Not Broken by author and activist George M. Johnson (All Boys Aren't Blue). Pulling from Johnson’s experiences growing up with his brother, two cousins, and their larger-than-life grandmother, this YA memoir is a love letter to the tender bonds within Black families, as well as an exploration of creativity and #BlackBoyJoy. Publication is set for fall 2021; Patrice Caldwell at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Jenna Lettice at Random House has acquired Gabe Cole Novoa's The Wicked Bargain. The #OwnVoices YA fantasy follows a trans masculine Latinx teen pirate hiding magical abilities who, after a deal with the devil comes to a violent end, is rescued by the Caribbean's sole remaining pirate crew. But with the Spanish armada hunting the last of the pirates down, the magic they've been keeping secret may be their only redemption—or it could mean certain death. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Louise Fury at the Bent Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Ferguson has bought The People We Choose, a YA novel by author and literary agent Katelyn Detweiler (Immaculate; The Undoing of Thistle Tate), about a girl who decides to find her sperm donor the summer she turns 18 and the truth that shatters her world and forces her to redefine family in all its different forms. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management brokered the deal for North American rights.
Deeba Zargarpur at Salaam Reads has acquired, in a two-book, six-figure deal, Hanna Alkaf's next YA novel, Queen of the Tiles. When cryptic messages begin appearing on a dead girl's social media account during an international Scrabble championship in Malaysia, a girl must investigate the mysterious circumstances of her best friend's death and uncover the truth before a would-be killer strikes again. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has bought, at auction, Weston Girls Take No Prisoners by debut author Samantha Markum. The YA novel follows Doe, a senior at an all-girls boarding school whose life has revolved around a century-long rivalry with the boy's school across the street. When she embarks on a fake-dating scheme to get under her worst enemy's skin, she must contend with the lies she's told, as well as the future of her beloved school. Publication is set for winter 2022; Ashley Blake at Rees Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired The Right Side of Reckless, a YA rom-com by Whitney D. Grandison (A Love Hate Thing). A troubled boy in need of a fresh start meets a girl who is off limits, sparking forbidden friendship and maybe more when their paths cross at the local community center. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Uwe Stender at Triada US brokered the deal for world English rights.
Christina Pulles at Albert Whitman has bought world rights, excluding Germany, to The Night When No One Had Sex by debut author Kalena Miller. A sex pact among a group of teens unravels in a comedic, all-in-one-night romp as the friends navigate the tenuous transition into adulthood and the uncertainty of life after high school. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Stacey Kondla at the Rights Factory did the deal.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought, in a six-figure preempt, North American rights to The Wolf's Curse by Jessica Vitalis. The debut middle-grade novel, narrated by Death's courier in a voice reminiscent of The Book Thief, follows a 12-year-old boy's quest for revenge after the boy witnesses the invisible wolf steal his grandpapá's soul. When the superstitious residents of his French-inspired village accuse the boy of crying wolf, he joins forces with another orphan to prove his innocence. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties negotiated the two-book deal.
Mary Wilcox at HMH has acquired world rights to the first two books in a graphic novel series by Kayla Miller (l.), author of the Click series. The spin-off series, featuring Olive's friends Beth and Chanda, will be written by Miller and Jeffrey Canino and illustrated by Kristina Luu. Publication of the first book is set for fall 2021; Elizabeth Bennett at the Transatlantic Agency represented the authors, and Britt Siess at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the illustrator.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has bought world rights to three books in Martha Brockenbrough's early chapter book series, Frank and the Puppy, about a prim cat named Frank who must learn to put up with the arrival of a new puppy in his home. Artist Jon Lau will illustrate; publication for the first book is planned for 2021, with the second and third to follow in 2022. Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary represented the author, and Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan represented the illustrator.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has acquired an untitled picture book about narwhals by L.A. Times Book Prize-winning author Candace Fleming, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Eric Rohmann (creators of the Sibert Honor Book Giant Squid, and the critically acclaimed Honeybee). Publication is slated for September 2023; Ethan Ellenberg at Ethan Ellenberg Agency sold world rights for both author and illustrator.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights to picture book debut The Octopus Escapes by Maile Meloy (l.). In the story, an octopus, captured and taken to live in an aquarium, executes a daring getaway. Felicita Sala will illustrate; publication is scheduled for summer 2021. Amanda Urban at ICM Partners represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Jordan Nielsen at POW! Kids has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Africa, to What the Moon Cooks, a North American debut picture book by Nsah Mala. Blending Mbesa folklore, cuisine, and science fiction, the story follows a Cameroonian girl who visits her parents' native village and learns about her ancestors' relationship to the moon and its phases. Lutfia Kamish-Ebrahim will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2021. The author and illustrator represented themselves; the author has retained the rights for publication in Africa.
Howard W. Reeves at Abrams has bought world rights to Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon by Ying Chang Compestine (l.), illustrated by Joy Ang. The picture book retelling centers the fairy tale in China, where it was really the dragon who ate Little Red, not the wolf, and Red is a Kung Fu fighter who doesn't need rescuing. Publication is slated for spring 2023; the author was unagented, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
Helen H. Wu at Yeehoo Press has acquired world English and simplified Chinese rights to Yoko and Emma by Aiko Ikegami. The picture book is about two young friends of different races, who find a way to play together even when they are different. Publication is planned for spring 2021 in the U.S. and mainland China; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Kathy Landwehr at Peachtree has bought world rights to Mars Is, a photo-illustrated book with sparse text that shares details of Mars, by Suzanne Slade. Publication is scheduled for March 2021; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, who also provided the photographs.
Jennifer Greene at Clarion has acquired world rights to A True Wonder: The Superhero Who Changed Everything by Kirsten W. Larson (l.). The picture book is a behind-the-scenes look at the creation and evolution of Wonder Woman, the pop culture character and longtime symbol of female strength, illustrated by Katy Wu. Publication is set for fall 2021; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Jennifer Mattson, also at Andrea Brown Literary, represented the illustrator.
Julie Matysik at Running Press has bought world rights to author-illustrator Iza Trapani's (l.) next picture book, Skip to My Moo, to be illustrated by Maddie Frost. In this new take on the popular song "Skip to My Lou," a barnyard full of animals erupts in a hoedown. Publication is planned for March 2022; Jennifer Weltz at Jean V. Naggar Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at The Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
