Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to Andrea Mosqueda's debut novel Just Your Local Bisexual Disaster. The YA novel follows self-described romantic disaster Maggie Gonzalez, a bisexual Chicana living in Texas's Rio Grande Valley, as she tries to figure out whom to ask to be her escort at her little sister's upcoming quinceañera: her charming ex-boyfriend twice over; her first crush and gorgeous best friend; or the mysterious new girl with the romantic baggage? Publication is for 2022; Lauren MacLeod at the Strothman Agency brokered the deal.
Nicole Fiorica at S&S/McElderry has bought A Consuming Fire, a YA historical fantasy by Laura Weymouth (The Light Between Worlds), pitched as Uprooted meets The Grace Year. Set in an isolated England plagued by a cruel, godlike figure, the novel follows a girl born for sacrifice who sets out to visit vengeance upon the divine being who claimed the life of her sister. Publication is set for fall 2022; Lauren Spieller at Triada US Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Steve Geck at Sourcebooks has acquired North American rights to U.K. bestselling YA debut Good Girls Die First by Kathryn Foxfield, plus an additional book. Pitched as One of Us Is Lying meets And Then There Were None, the thriller follows 16-year-old aspiring photographer Ava, one of 10 teens lured to a derelict carnival by blackmail. When fog and magic swallow the pier and the teenagers start turning on each another, Ava must face up to her secret and decide how far she's willing to go to protect it. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Chloe Seager at Madeleine Millburn handled the two-book deal.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has bought Out There, an anthology of stories about queer teens in the future, edited by Saundra Mitchell. Contributors include Kayla Ancrum, Kalynn Bayron, Z Brewer, Mason Deaver, Alechia Dow, ER Zellor, Leah Johnson, Naomi Kanakia, Claire Kann, Alex London, Jim McCarthy, Abdi Nazemian, Emma K. Ohland, AJ Sass, Nita Tyndall, and two slots to be filled through an open call for submissions. Publication is planned for spring 2022; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich and Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Lily Kessinger at HMH/Etch has acquired world rights to YA graphic novel Pillow Talk by Stephanie Cooke (l.), illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas, about Grace Mendes aka Cinderhella, a fierce competitor in the Pillow Fight Federation (PFF), an underground pillow fight league that's part roller derby, part professional wrestling. Publication is scheduled for 2023; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary represented the author, and the artist was unagented.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has bought, at auction, The Majestic Questions of Dottie Bing by Molly Burnham, plus a second, untitled middle grade novel. Pitched as The Thing About Jellyfish meets Kate DiCamillo, the first book features a 10-year-old problem-solver, who learns that helping to fix her recently widowed grandmother's broken heart means asking new questions and finding new answers, some sad and some unexpectedly hilarious. Publication for the first book is set for fall 2022; Molly O'Neill at Root Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Margaret Raymo at HMH/Versify has acquired North American rights to Sofiya Pasternack's next middle grade novel, Black Bird, Blue Road, in which 12-year-old Ziva teams up with a sheyd (a demon) to find the legendary lost city of Luz in order to save her brother, who has leprosy, from the Angel of Death. Weslie Turner will edit. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency negotiated the deal.
Karen Chaplin at HarperCollins will publish Max Mason's debut series, Super Secret Super Spies, previously acquired at auction. This humorous middle grade series follows the Illuminati's newest member, 12-year-old inventor Maddie, on an unexpected adventure to save humanity from certain destruction. Publication of the first book, Super Secret Super Spies: Mystery of the All-Seeing Eye, is slated for summer 2021; Joelle Hobeika and Laura Barbiea at Alloy Entertainment sold world English rights in the two-book deal.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has acquired Ahoy! by two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall. In this picture book, illustrated in two distinct styles, a child coaxes their parent away from emails and chores into a high-seas adventure, complete with towering waves, giant squid, and vengeful whale, all without leaving their living room. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Nancy Gallt at Gallt & Zacker Literary did the deal for world rights.
Andrea Spooner at Little, Brown has bought Mighty Red Riding Hood: A Fairly Queer Tale by Wallace West. First in a series of reimagined folktales from a queer perspective, this picture book debut stars a smart and sassy boy in a frilly red riding hood who confronts a bullying wolf espousing gender norms. Publication of the first book is set for summer 2022; Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired Washed Ashore: Plastic Sea Life and Art by author and photographer Kelly Crull. This photographic picture book features animal sculptures created with plastic trash by Angela Haseltine Pozzi and the Washed Ashore organization. It also includes animal facts and conservation tips. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Deborah Warren at East West Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Tara Walker at Tundra has bought world rights to I Am a Meadow Mermaid by Kallie George (l.), illustrated by Elly MacKay. In this picture book, a girl imagines herself as a mermaid in a magical outdoors adventure, exploring the land around her with the help of a new friend. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the creators.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to a new edition of the classic Hanukkah story Latkes and Applesauce by Fran Manushkin (l.), about a puppy and a kitten who provide a family's holiday meal, newly illustrated by Kris Easler. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Brianne Johnson at Writers House represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to Let It Grow by Mary Ann Fraser, illustrated by Riley Samels, a picture book that follows a pumpkin seed as it grows and grows and grows—proving that sometimes a seed of an idea can lead to the biggest adventures. Publication is set for fall 2021; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Emily Easton at Crown has acquired world rights to Elisa Boxer's (l.) A Seat at the Table: The Nancy Pelosi Story, illustrated by Laura Freeman. This picture book biography of the Speaker of the House will also include an interview of Pelosi by the author. Publication is slated for 2022; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the author, and Janet DeCarlo at StoryBookArts represented the illustrator.
Kathy Landwehr at Peachtree has bought world rights to Octopus by Suzanne Slade, illustrated by Tom Gonzalez (their second collaboration following Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon). The nonfiction picture book shares several kinds of octopuses and their fascinating features, such as lights that attract prey, legs that walk on land, and the ability to change color (and shape shift) to match their surroundings. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Deborah Warren at East West represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to Nellie vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists' Breakneck Race Around the World by Kate Hannigan (l.), a nonfiction picture book about rival reporters Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland, whose attempts to circumnavigate the globe in fewer than 80 days riveted the world in 1889. Rebecca Gibbon will illustrate. Publication is set for spring 2022; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to The Crab Ballet by Renée LaTulippe (l.), illustrated by Cécile Metzger, a picture book about a seaside show starring an aquatic corps de ballet and a cast of French ballet terms. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Foyinsi Adegbonmire and Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends have acquired, at auction, Model Minority and an untitled YA novel by Louisa Onomé (Like Home); Adegbonmire will edit. Model Minority is a contemporary story about a girl dealing with an estranged brother, her identity as a first-generation Nigerian American, and the planning for her cousin's Crazy Rich Asians-style Nigerian wedding. Publication is planned for spring 2022 and spring 2023, respectively; Claire Friedman at Inkwell Management negotiated the deal for world rights, excluding Canada.
Amanda Ramirez at Simon & Schuster has bought, in a preempt, Ravensong by Cayla Keenan. This YA contemporary fantasy follows a girl who is one-third of a war goddess triad—sworn to slay demons with her sisters and guard the gate to hell in their coastal town—yet is stuck in high school, counting down the days until her 18th birthday, when her powers fully unlock—until she meets a girl with secrets of her own who'll force her to choose between duty and love. Publication is set for spring 2023; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks has acquired, in a preempt, world English rights to The Kissing Season by Susan Crispell. Sixteen-year-old Remy Holloway's kisses are supposed to bring good luck, but when she curses a boy instead, she must find a way to fix him or give up her family magic—and a chance at true love with the hot, rock-music-obsessed boy who moves in next door. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Jenny Bent at the Bent Agency brokered the two-book deal.
Russ Busse at Abrams has bought The Extincts: The Quest for the Unicorn Horn by Scott Magoon, first in a middle grade graphic novel series following a highly trained team of formerly extinct animals as they track down a mystical artifact. Publication for the first book is scheduled for spring/summer 2022; Paul Rodeen at Rodeen Literary negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Ferguson has acquired True Blue by Tricia Springstubb (The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe). The middle grade novel follows two very different 11-year-olds, whose lives converge when an abused dog seems to beg them to rescue her. Once they save True, the children share a secret that forces them to ask difficult questions about themselves and their worlds, and what they will risk to follow their hearts. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary handled the deal for world English rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has bought world rights to Megan Wagner Lloyd's (l.) Super Pancake and its sequel, Super Pancake and the Mini Muffin Mayhem, illustrated by Abhi Alwar. This punny graphic novel chapter book series follows Peggy, a pancake, who develops superhero abilities and must defend herself and her friends from the evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich and His Henchtoasts. Publication is set for spring 2023 and spring 2024, respectively; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Brianne Johnson at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Sourcebooks Explore has acquired world rights to You Are Not Alone, plus two other books by Alphabet Rockers Tommy Soulati Shepherd and Kaitlin McGaw. Following their mission to make music that makes change, creating spaces for children and families to stand up to hate and be their courageous selves, the Alphabet Rockers' first book is You Are Not Alone, illustrated by Ashley Evans. Publication is slated for January 2022; Rika Iino at Sozo Artists brokered the three-book deal for the authors, and Alex Gehringer at Bright USA represented the illustrator.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has bought world rights to Rockefeller, the Christmas Owl by Ellen Kalish (l.), director of the Ravensbeard Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, and Gideon Sterer (From Ed's to Ned's), Kalish’s longtime neighbor. Based on the true story of the tiny saw-whet owl who traveled to New York City inside the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and was later rehabilitated by Kalish, this tale of holiday hope celebrates the true meaning of Christmas. Ramona Kaulitzki will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2021. Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the authors, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to When You Were New by Jennifer Harris (l.), a love letter from a parent to a child celebrating all the surprising and important things the child has learned and discovered. Lenny Wen will illustrate; publication is planned for winter 2023. Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Arts represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Spooner at Little, Brown has bought world rights to Brown Is Warm, Black Is Bright by Sarah L. Thomson, with fine artist Keith Mallett set to illustrate. The picture book celebrates the varied beauty and richness of two colors often ignored in books about color. Publication is set for fall 2022; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and the artist represented himself.
Kate O'Sullivan at HMH has acquired world rights to the picture book A Perfect Fit by Mara Rockliff (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree and Sibert Medalist Juana Martinez-Neal, about how Lena "Lane" Bryant came to America with nothing but a measuring tape and a dream, and changed the way women bought clothes for generations. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben has bought world rights to Bedtime for Maziks by Yael Levy (l.). Two little imps ("mazik" is Yiddish for "imps," an endearment for rambunctious children) tumble through their day making mischief. Nabila Adani will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2022. The author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Rick Rinehart of Muddy Boots has acquired North American rights to Margaret Peot's At Night, a STEM picture book about various mother animals and their babies who eat, splash, play and snuggle from darkness until morning. Publication is planned for October 2021; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary brokered the deal.
Helen Wu at Yeehoo Press has bought world rights to Masha Munching by author-illustrator Amalia Hoffman. Tired of eating plain farm food, Masha the goat leaves the farm on a culinary adventure, only to discover that everything is tastier when shared with good friends at home. Publication is set for fall 2021 in the U.S. and mainland China; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Olswanger Literary did the deal.
