Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Tegen has bought, in a two-book deal, North American rights to a middle-grade series from former NBA All-Star Caron Butler (l.) (Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA) and Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always and Early Departures). The first book, Shot Clock, is about a boy trying to find his place on an AAU basketball team coached by a former All-Star who had returned to his hometown, and the transformative impact playing basketball has on kids growing up in a community struggling with a lack of resources. Publication is set for 2022 and 2023; Dana Newman at Dana Newman Literary represented Butler, and Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary represented Reynolds.
Kelsey Murphy at Philomel has acquired North American rights to Margot Mertz Will Clean Your Filth by Carrie McCrossen and Ian McWethy. Veronica Mars meets Moxie in this YA novel following a girl who runs an internet clean-up business who must take down a secret revenge porn site targeting the girls in her school. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Simon Lipskar at Writers House handled the two-book deal.
Tricia Lin at Random House has acquired, at auction, Katie Zhao's middle grade series, Winnie Zeng, pitched as The Storm Runner meets Pie in the Sky with the heart of Front Desk. The story follows a Chinese American girl navigating middle school; in the first book, Winnie Zeng and the Magic Mooncake, Winnie discovers her deceased grandmother's magic cookbook and learns that she's descended from a long line of shamans that use magic recipes to fight demons, inciting her to take pride in her heritage and become the hero that her classmates and town need. Publication will begin in fall 2022; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management did the three-book deal for world rights.
Allison Cohen at Running Press has bought world rights to author Alison Hughes's Over the Top, a middle grade novel about a girl adapting to a new (pink!) home and school while making friends and facing off with the school's mean girls. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists brokered the deal.
Nancy Mercado at Dial has acquired world rights to The Book of Radical Answers (That I Know You Already Know) by author, educator, and activist Sonya Renee Taylor (The Body Is Not an Apology). This inclusive middle grade nonfiction book will provide honest guidance on some of life's biggest dilemmas, sourced with questions from young readers themselves. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Monica Odom at Odom Media Management negotiated the deal.
Margaret Raymo and Kwame Alexander at Versify have bought, at auction, I WILL! A Book of Pledges, I AM! A Book of Reminders, and I FEEL! A Book of Feelings, a picture book series by Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina. These three picture books pair illustrations with simple text about moods, declarations of worth, and commitments to ourselves and others. Publication is set for fall 2021, spring 2022, and fall 2022, respectively. Gillian MacKenzie at MacKenzie Wolf brokered the three-book deal for North American rights.
Tara Walker at Tundra has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Bumblebee, the author-illustrator debut of Dena Seiferling (illustrator of King Mouse). The picture book follows a baby bee who is taught to deliver secret messages to flowers. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists handled the deal for world rights.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz has bought Something on the Hill by Jane Kohuth (l.) (Duck Sock Hop), illustrated by Sonia Sanchez (The Little Red Fort). In this picture book, a group of woodland animals journeys up a hill and finds the very first sign of spring—a seedling peeking through the earth. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary negotiated world rights for the author and illustrator.
Jessica Garrison at Dial has acquired world rights to Bearplane by Deborah Underwood (l.) (The Panda Problem), illustrated by Sam Wedelich (Chicken Little: The Real & Totally True Tale). The rhyming, bear-pun-filled picture book prepares young readers for the airport and plane riding experience. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Molly O'Neill at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Christian Trimmer at Holt has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to That's Betty! The Story of Betty White by Gregory Bonsignore, illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter. The book follows a boy tasked with doing a presentation on a trailblazing woman, and for him, there's only one choice: Betty White. He gets a helping hand from a certain pioneer and icon who happens to be in the library on the same day. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Ryan Nord at the Nord Group represented the author, and Susan McCabe at Lilla Rogers represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Davis at Boyds Mills & Kane has acquired If You Want to Knit Some Mittens by Laura Purdie Salas (l.) (In the Middle of the Night) and illustrated by Angela Matteson (Grumbles from the Town). This picture book describes 18 steps for knitting mittens—beginning with getting a sheep. Publication is set for fall 2021; Fiona Kenshole at Transatlantic Literary represented the author, and Marcia Wernick at Wernick & Pratt represented the illustrator.
Christina Pulles at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to The Star Festival, a picture book by debut author Moni Ritchie Hadley (l.) and illustrated by Mizuho Fujisawa. Keiko, her mama, and her Obaasan attend the Japanese festival of Tanabata Matsuri and relive the events of the folktale it celebrates. Publication is planned for spring 2021; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Kallie George at Greystone has acquired world rights to A Garden of Grenades and Other Stories by Canadian children's book author Rina Singh (l.), illustrated by Iranian cut-paper artist Hoda Hadadi. The collection of poems is about love, courage, and compassion, celebrating everyday heroes working to empower their communities around the world. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Essie White at Storm Literary represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Cecily Kaiser at Rise x Penguin Workshop has bought Toni Buzzeo's Caution! Road Signs Ahead, a board book for the youngest backseat passengers decoding 35 common road signs, to be illustrated by Chi Birmingham. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021. Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Nancy Moore at Rapp Art represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Tiffany Liao at Holt has acquired, at auction, Deep in Providence by Riss M. Neilson, a YA fantasy debut that blends the suspenseful atmosphere of The Hazel Wood with the nuanced realism of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Set on the South Side of Providence, R.I., the story follows three girls who turn to Filipino spiritualism and white magic when they're haunted by a friend's death... and perhaps her spirit. Publication is slated for winter 2022; Jess Regel at Foundry Literary + Media brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Olivia Valcarce at Scholastic Press has bought, in a preempt, Harper Glenn's untitled YA speculative debut, inspired by Glenn's childhood and the current world's social climate, set in a near-future Georgia split by revolt into rich and poor. Josephine, an orphan from the Ashes, has one chance to escape her life of poverty: the annual Gala, where she connects with Cove, an orphan who lives in wealth. But as a new revolt pins one side against the other, Jo must face painful decisions regarding the future of the only home she knows, the truth to her traumatic past, and the boy who stole her heart. Publication is set for 2022; Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maass Literary did the deal for world rights.
Anne Heltzel at Amulet has acquired Alikay Wood's debut novel Thirty to Sixty Days, in which three teenagers commandeer a yacht and embark on a high-risk journey after contracting a unique terminal illness, only to find their lives won't be cut short after all. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis negotiated the deal for world rights.
Elizabeth Lee at FSG has bought Spare Parts: Young Readers' Edition by Reyna Grande, a middle-grade adaptation of the bestselling adult nonfiction book by Joshua Davis. Against all odds, four Mexican American teenagers join together to build an underwater robot that wins a national competition. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Johanna Castillo at Writers House represented Grande, and Bonnie Nadell at Hill Nadell Literary represented Davis.
Lisa Tenaglia at Black Dog & Leventhal has acquired world rights to The Science of Sports, by Jennifer Swanson (l.) and illustrated by Laurène Boglio, a middle grade nonfiction book that illustrates how the principles of science, technology, engineering, and math are behind every soccer kick, slap shot, home run, and slam-dunk. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Annabeth Faucher at Snyder New York represented the illustrator.
Ruta Rimas at Razorbill has bought world English rights to Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang. The debut middle-grade graphic novel centers on 12-year-old Nana who, after telling too many farfetched tales, is sent to stay with family in Ghana where she discovers magic in the village forest and must join forces with the mythical Ananse to thwart an evil corporation from stealing the magic for profit. Publication is set for spring 2022; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal.
Dana Chidiac at Dial has acquired the middle grade novel The Rowhouse Reporters by Elissa Brent Weissman. When Ash and her friends get kicked off their school's news show, they become renegade reporters—and make a big discovery about technology, their fellow students' privacy, and how a major media company has been making its money. Publication is scheduled for August 2021; Philippa Brophy at Sterling Lord Literistic handled the deal for world rights.
Erica Finkel at Abrams has bought Lisa Frenkel Riddiough's debut novel, Elvis and the World As It Stands, a middle-grade animal adventure about an adopted kitten who is determined to reunite with his left-behind sibling, even as he becomes increasingly intrigued by his 10-year-old human companion and her obsession with building elaborate skyscraper models. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author.
Chris Hernandez at Razorbill has acquired, in a preempt, four books by the author-illustrator team of Candy Robertson and James Robertson writing as Candy James. Their early reader graphic novel series, Archie and Reddie, follows the comedic adventures of two young foxes. In the first book, I Really Dig Pizza, Archie stumbles upon a cheesy treat in the forest and tries to keep it a secret, until Reddie comes along ready to solve the mystery. Publication for the first two books is set for fall 2021; Gemma Cooper at the Bent Agency brokered the four-book deal for world rights.
Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has bought, at auction, the four-book Beak & Ally graphic novel series by Norm Feuti, about an outgoing bird determined to befriend a reluctant alligator. Publication will begin in winter 2021; Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Little, Brown has acquired two books in an early graphic novel series called Reggie, by author-illustrator Jen de Oliveira, which follows the everyday adventures of Reginald "Reggie" Guinn, kid penguin. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023 and summer 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary did the deal for world rights.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Littlest Drop by debut author and literary agent Sascha Alper, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney. Based on a South American fable retold by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, the picture book shows how the smallest of us can impact the environment when a tiny hummingbird extinguishes a massive fire by inspiring all the other animals to help. Publication is slated for spring 2023. Elizabeth Rudnick at Mackenzie Wolf negotiated world rights for the author, and Sheldon Fogelman at Sheldon Fogelman Agency negotiated North American rights for the illustrator.
Stacey Barney at Putnam has acquired world rights to Twelve Days of Kindness, written by Irene Latham (l.) and illustrated by 2020 SCBWI Portfolio Grand Prize winner Junghwa Park. The cumulative tale, based on the Christmas song, celebrates the different ways of giving and showing kindness. Publication is planned for summer 2022; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Love Made Me More by Colleen Rowan Kosinski (l.), illustrated by Sonia Sánchez. This picture book follows the relationship of a boy and a paper crane over time. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors represented the author, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the artist.
Kristine Enderle at Magination Press has bought world rights to the picture book What Boys Do, written by Jon Lasser (l.), illustrated by Robert Paul Jr. The book is about all the things that boys can do, which is simply just be true to themselves. Publication is planned for fall 2021; the author represented himself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Little Girl Lighthouse Keeper by Anna Crowley Redding (l.) and illustrated by Emily Sutton. This picture book biography recounts the life of Kate Moore, a 12-year-old lighthouse keeper, who, in the 1800s, saved the lives of 23 sailors. Publication is slated for summer 2022; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author; the illustrator represented herself.
Lisa Rosinsky at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to the picture book Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat) by debut author Phaea Crede (l.). Jet loves to swim and sing, but when other animals try to persuade her that she's not really a cat, she and her friends learn to celebrate what makes them all unique. Artist and social media star Terry Runyan will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2021. Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Paul Cohen of Creatif Licensing represented the illustrator.
Helen Wu at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to Hunter Liguore's (l.) debut picture book, The Whole World Inside Nan's Soup, to be illustrated by Vikki Zhang. Nan shares with her grandchild the wisdom that one bowl of soup contains an assortment of traditions and places, which eventually adds up to the whole world. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021 in the U.S. and mainland China; the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
