Katherine Tegen at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired North American rights to Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix, the latest in his bestselling Old Kingdom series, alongside a 25th-anniversary edition of Sabriel, the series starter. The latest book revolves around a ploy by an ancient enemy of the Abhorsen that brings Terciel, the Abhorsen-in-Waiting, across the Wall to Ancelstierre—and to Elinor—who, after facing fire, death, and loss, finds herself on a path taking her away from her life of seclusion and into Terciel's, embroiling her in the struggle of the Abhorsens against the Dead. Publication is set for August 2021 for Sabriel, and November 2021 for Terciel & Elinor; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal.
Liesa Abrams, while at Simon & Schuster, bought Howl by We Are the Ants author Shaun David Hutchinson; Amanda Ramirez will edit. The YA novel follows Virgil Knox, who is attacked by a mysterious monster. When no one in his claustrophobic, Southern town believes him, Virgil fears the monster will return to finish him off, or worse—that he's becoming one himself. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maass Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired world rights, in an exclusive submission, to the mixed genre YA anthology Ab(solutely) Normal co-edited by VCFA grads Nora Shalaway Carpenter (l.) (Rural Voices) and Rocky Callen (A Breath Too Late). The collection features diverse #OwnVoices mental health fiction in different forms (graphic, prose, and poetry) for young adults, and aims to subvert stereotypes with inspiring and hope-filled stories. In addition to the anthologists, contributors include Eric Gansworth, Nikki Grimes, A.S. King, Sonia Patel, Marcella Pixley, and spoken word poet Ebony Stewart. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary LLC/Hannigan Getzler Literary and Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties negotiated the deal for Carpenter and Callen, respectively.
Krista Marino at Delacorte has bought, in an exclusive submission, Monster by Bad Witch Burning author Jessica Lewis, a YA horror novel about a girl who is kidnapped as a sacrificial offering to an ancient beast, only to make a deal with the monster to release it and avenge those who betrayed her—even if that includes her own family. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Holly Root at Root Literary represented the author for world English rights.
Dana Chidiac at Dial has acquired at auction, in a six-figure deal, Huda F Are You? by artist and author Huda Fahmy, creator of @YesImHotInThis on Instagram. The YA graphic novel, loosely inspired by Fahmy's own high school years, follows Huda through her first year of high school in Dearborn, Mich., where she's just one of many hijabi Muslim girls, as she tries on many identities in an attempt to figure out who (da F) she is. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Kathleen Ortiz at New Leaf negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Jennie Conway at Wednesday has bought Long Story Short by debut author Serena Kaylor. This YA rom-com follows Beatrice Quinn, a homeschooled math genius whose parents want her to come out of her shell before she leaves for college. When Beatrice's parents insist on her going to a Shakespeare summer camp, this bookworm finds herself lost in a sea of drama geeks, and comes to realize that life, and love, can't be lived by the (text)book. Publication is set for 2022; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret did the deal for world English rights.
Rebecca Kuss at Inkyard has acquired Killing Time by Brenna Ehrlich, a YA thriller pitched as Veronica Mars for the murderino generation. When Natalie Temple's favorite teacher is murdered, this true crime-obsessed teen sets out to uncover her killer, not realizing that the story she's chasing is the very same one her family is running from. Publication is slated for winter 2022; Dana Murphy at the Book Group brokered the deal for North American rights.
Andrew Arnold at Harper Alley has bought, in a preempt, in a two-book deal, Club Kick Out, the first in a contemporary middle grade graphic novel series written and illustrated by Steph Mided, in which a group of creative outcast girls form a WWE-style pro-wrestling club as a loophole to practice their respective arts when their middle school bans all non-sports-related extracurricular activities. Publication for the first book is planned for 2023; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management represented the creator for North American rights.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has won, at auction, Small Town Pride and a second untitled novel by YA author Phil Stamper. In his middle grade debut, 13-year-old Jake loves his rural town, but doesn't always feel supported by the people there, so he fades into the background. That is, until he comes out and his overly supportive dad puts a comically huge pride flag in their yard, suddenly turning all eyes on him. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the six-figure deal for world English rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired, in a three-book deal, world English rights to Fathoms of Fear by Kiersten White, the first in the Sinister Summer series. Pitched as Scooby Doo meets A Series of Unfortunate Events, the middle grade novel follows the Sinister-Winterbottom twins, who must solve mysteries at increasingly bizarre summer vacation destinations in the hopes of being reunited with their parents—or at the very least finally finding a good churro. Publication is set for summer 2020; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary represented the author.
Sam Palazzi and David Levithan at Scholastic have bought Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing. In this middle-grade novel, Maia spends a healing summer with her grandparents after her younger sister is badly burned in a house fire, while she battles personal demons and anxieties of her own. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret handled the world rights deal.
Jonah Heller at Peachtree has acquired U.S. rights for Hey! A Colorful Mystery by author-illustrator Kate Read. Her second picture book is an oceanic twist on the old telephone game, starring a tiny pink fish in a deep blue sea who inadvertently unleashes a rampant rumor among schools of brilliantly colored fish and other sea creatures. Read's first picture book, One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller, earned an Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Honor Award. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Cathryn Gregory at Pan Macmillan brokered the deal.
Tara Walker at Tundra has bought, in a two-book deal, at auction, world rights to Spaghetti, the debut picture book from artist Merrilees Brown. Spaghetti the mouse collects treasures that others disregard as trash, but when he creates his special masterpiece, he realizes there's something still missing: friends and family to share it with. Publication is set for spring 2023, with book two to follow in spring 2024; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author-illustrator.
Cynthia Leitich Smith and Rosemary Brosnan at Heartdrum have acquired North American rights to A Letter for Bob by Just Like Grandma author Kim Rogers (Wichita), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo), about a family that says goodbye to their beloved car, Bob. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Little, Brown has bought world rights to American Desi by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.), illustrated by Supriya Kelkar. This picture book celebrates and empowers bicultural and immigrant children in the United States. Publication is planned for summer 2022; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary represented the artist.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots by debut author and screenwriter Lid'ya C. Moore (l.), illustrated by Geisel Honor-winning artist Nina Mata. Featuring a vibrant protagonist with vitiligo, the picture book is a rhyming ode to loving the skin you're in. Publication is slated for summer 2023; the author represented herself and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Courtney Code at Abrams has bought, in a preempt, Out on a Limb written by Jordan Morris and illustrated by Charlie Mylie, a picture book following the triumphs and frustrations of a small girl after a big injury, and the wordless journey of a lost letter destined to help her heal. Publication is scheduled for February 2022; Hannah Mann at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights on behalf of both author and illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda acquired world rights to Be a Bridge by Irene Latham (l.) and Charles Waters (Dictionary for a Better World) and illustrated by Nabila Adani, a picture book about bridging differences and building an inclusive community with suggestions for how anyone and everyone can "be a bridge." Publication is set for fall 2022; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the co-authors, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has bought world rights to I'm Picky! written by Kristen Tracy (l.) and illustrated by Erin Kraan. Told from the point of view of a voracious raccoon claiming to be the pickiest eater ever, this story takes readers on a journey through trash cans, backyards, pond scum, and compost bins as the narrator seeks to fill his bottomless hunger. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Ann Rider at HMH has acquired On the Corner of Chocolate Avenue: How Milton Hershey Brought Milk Chocolate to America by Sydney Taylor honoree and National Jewish Book Award finalist Tziporah Cohen, illustrated by Steven Salerno. This nonfiction picture book biography chronicles the trials and tribulations Milton Hershey faced as he attempted to create an affordable milk chocolate that everyone could enjoy. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Jacqui Lipton at Raven Quill Literary represented the author, and the artist was unagented.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Diving Deep: Using Machines to Explore the Ocean written by Michelle Cusolito (l.) and illustrated by Nicole Wong. This nonfiction picture book explores the ways humans access the ocean—from snorkeling gear to deep-sea submersibles—highlighting the wonders and science of ocean exploration and the equipment used to achieve it. Publication is planned for summer 2022; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has acquired world rights to So Much More To Helen!: The Many Sides of Helen Keller by Meeg Pincus (l.), illustrated by Caroline Bonne-Müller. In this new take on Helen Keller, kids will learn more about her than the famous water pump scene—including her roles as activist, author, dog lover, romantic, traveler, performer. Publication is set for 2022; Jenna Pocius at Red Fox Literary represented the author and Jehane Ltd represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to Iamasaurus by Anne Ylvisaker and illustrated by Mark Hoffmann, a picture book about the striking similarities between kids and dinosaurs. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
Zhiqiao Wang at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to The Gentle Bulldozer by debut author Amy Baron, illustrated by Rogério Coelho. This picture book follows an unfulfilled bulldozer who takes a solo road trip in search of his life's purpose. Publication is planned for spring 2022 in the U.S. and mainland China; the author represented herself, and Mohamed Danawi at Illozoo Agency represented the illustrator.
