Ruta Rimas at Razorbill has acquired North American and audio rights for All My Rage by bestselling author Sabaa Tahir (An Ember in the Ashes). This contemporary YA novel set in California's Mojave Desert crosses generations and continents and addresses themes of cultural identity, family, forgiveness, love, and loss through the eyes of two best friends growing up as outcasts and trying to find a way out of a world set on destroying them. Publication is scheduled for March 2022; Alexandra Machinist at ICM Partners brokered the deal.
Krista Marino at Delacorte has bought, in an exclusive submission, Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao (the Blood Heir series), first in a YA xiānxiá Chinese fantasy series, and a second, untitled sequel. The story follows a song girl in a conquered land whose last remnant of her mother—and the fallen Hin dynasty of her ancestors—is the symbol seared onto her hand, which, if the mysterious boy she encounters is to be trusted, may be the key to freeing her people by mastering the ancient, forgotten magic of practitioning. Publication is set for spring 2023; Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media did the deal for North American rights.
Sarah Barley at Flatiron has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Our Crooked Hearts, from bestselling author Melissa Albert (The Hazel Wood). This YA contemporary fantasy centers on a teen whose summer break kicks off with an unsettling series of events, and on her mother, whose own 16th year included a descent into increasingly lawless witchcraft and magic. As the summer stretches on, their stories are set on a collision course. Publication is slated for summer 2022; Faye Bender at the Book Group negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Stacey Barney at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to Gita Desai Is Not Here to Shut Up by Sonia Patel (Rani Patel in Full Effect), about a Gujarati Indian American young woman's tumultuous first semester at Stanford, when she finds herself propelled in unexpected ways to discover and overcome shocking childhood betrayal and years of being silenced by her immigrant family in order to find her own truth and voice. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/HG Literary handled the deal.
Jody Corbett at Scholastic has acquired At the Speed of Lies, a YA novel by Cindy L. Otis, former CIA analyst and author of the nonfiction book True or False. A high school Instagrammer in a wheelchair is caught up in the world of disinformation when her social media posts about an alleged local child kidnapping turn out to be linked to a QAnon-like cult. The conspiracy theory group takes over not just her social media account, but her entire school as she races to figure out how to stop the viral spread of lies. Publication is set for summer 2023; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world English rights for Melt with You by Jennifer Dugan, a sweet and salty queer YA rom-com about two girls on a summer road trip in an ice cream truck. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022. Rights were sold by Brooks Sherman, formerly at Janklow & Nesbit Associates; Dugan is now represented by Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties.
Connolly Bottum at Inkyard Press has acquired, at auction, a YA contemporary novel by Abigail Johnson. In Every Time You Go Away, so much happened in the three years since childhood best friends Rebecca and Ethan last saw one another. Rebecca learned to navigate life from a wheelchair, and Ethan became caregiver to his addicted mother. But in rediscovering one another, they risk losing an enduring friendship on a love that neither feels they deserve. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Kim Lionetti at BookEnds Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Mari Kesselring at Flux has bought Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe by Lindsay S. Zrull, a YA debut pitched as Geekerella meets Far from the Tree. Sixteen-year-old foster kid Jessica joins a cosplay team working their way to a huge competition in NYC, in a scheme to reunite with her mentally ill mother, but learns along the way the value of the family you choose for yourself. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Jon Cobb at Hannigan Getzler Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Daniel Ehrenhaft, in his first acquisition at Blackstone Publishing, has bought North American English-language rights to two debut middle grade novels by bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon (l.), and Hinako Hishinuma (c.) and Madaug Hishinuma (r.). The series begins with The Secret War, about a boy with a destiny he doesn't understand or even know about, who must master not only his combat skills, but his magical ones, too, as he learns just how many people are playing him for a pawn. Publication is scheduled for September 2022; Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group negotiated the deal on behalf of Trident Media Group chairman Robert Gottlieb.
Andrea Tompa at Candlewick Press has acquired middle grade adventure The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat, Newbery Honoree for All Thirteen and A Wish in the Dark. A seafaring mystery and a critique of colonialism set in a Thai-inspired world, The Last Mapmaker follows 12-year-old Sai, who is an assistant to Mangkon's most celebrated mapmaker, and whose facade as a well-bred young lady disguises a darker past that, if revealed, could ruin her life in Mangkon’s ancestry-obsessed society. Publication is set for spring 2022; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary did the deal for world rights.
Megan Peace at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Mixed Up, Mixed Bag, and Mixed & Matched, in a debut middle grade graphic novel series by Sara Amini (l.), illustrated by Shadia Amin. Set in the 9/11 era, the semi-autobiographical stories follow Amini's humorous yet humiliating middle school years in Alief, a Houston suburb that—despite having one of the most diverse school districts in the country—didn't have one person exactly like Sara: first-generation Iranian and Colombian, living in a hybrid household where Navidad and Norooz are celebrated, empanadas and kabobs are eaten, and Farglish (English, Spanish, and Farsi) is spoken. The first book is tentatively slated for fall 2024; Gillian MacKenzie of MacKenzie Wolf represented Amini, and Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary represented Amin.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has acquired North American rights to Anisa's International Day by Reem Faruqi. This younger middle grade novel tells the story of Pakistani American girl Anisa, who can't decide what special activity or food to bring to school that best represents her culture. But when another girl from her class decides to bring samosas—the same food she wanted to bring—Anisa has to learn a hard lesson about friendship. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author.
Patricia Stockland at Kind World Publishing has bought world rights to Maddie & Mabel by Kari Allen (l.) (The Boy Who Loved Maps) illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss (Bunny's Book Club), a chapter book about two spunky sisters who discover through four short stories that being in charge might not be as important as the girls think. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Erzsi Deak of Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired, in a preempt, the early reader graphic novel series Super Serious Mysteries by Josh Crute (l.), illustrated by James Rey Sanchez, in a two-book deal. In the first book, The Untimely Passing of Nicholas Fart: A Who-Dealt-It Mystery, detective-in-training Penelope Whiff must catch the culprit of a very mysterious and stinky crime. The first book is set for summer 2023, and the second for summer 2024; Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Liza Baker at Orchard has bought North American English rights to Love You By Heart by bestselling author-illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, a look at how unconditional love comes straight from the heart, and how lucky we are to love and be loved, on good days, blue days, funny days, and grumpy days, for everything we are. Publication is slated for December 2021; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties negotiated the deal for North American English rights.
Sophia Jimenez at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Veo, Veo, I See You, a picture book by Pura Belpré Award Honoree Lulu Delacre. While out running errands with their mami during the Covid-19 pandemic, Marisol and Pepito play a game of Veo, Veo (I Spy) that helps them see how the workers in their neighborhood are, and will always be, essential. Publication is planned for fall 2023; the author-illustrator represented herself in the deal.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has bought world rights to Gravity Is Bringing Me Down and I Like Pi, the first picture books by Wendelin Van Draanen (l.), illustrated by Cornelia Li. Each book takes a funny look at how science and math concepts become very personal for two kids in the same classroom. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023 and fall 2023, respectively; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator.
Michelle Frey at Knopf has acquired world rights to debut picture book Step on Board: Sculpting a Memorial of Harriet Tubman by Autumn Allen (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Ekua Holmes. The daughter of a sculptor puzzles through a memorial's design: how does one capture the whole of a person in a single work of art? A biography of Harriet Tubman and the story of an artist's journey, the book is inspired by Autumn's mother, the late sculptor Fern Cunningham-Terry, best known for her sculpture of Harriet Tubman located in Harriet Tubman Park in Boston's South End, the first memorial of a woman erected by the city. Publication is set for 2025; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners represented Allen, and Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented Holmes.
Jessica Echeverria at Lee & Low Books has bought world rights to Still Dreaming/Seguimos soñando by Claudia Guadalupe Martínez (l.) (Not a Bean), illustrated by Magdalena Mora. This bilingual picture book tells the story of a child wishing for a life without borders after he and his parents are forced to leave their home during the Mexican Repatriation. Along their journey they meet others with similar stories. Publications is slated for fall 2022; Adriana Dominguez at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Maya Glows by recent Yale graduate Gwendolyn Wallace (l.), illustrated by Olivia Duchess. In this picture book debut, a Black girl struggling to hold feelings both of love and anger at the world learns that these emotions are a glowing, important part of her, and that Black women in history and her family have been guided by their glowing to make a difference. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Gary Swift at Lemonade Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Barbara Herndon at Zonderkidz has bought world rights to This Farm Is a Family by Dan McKernan. In this picture book based on the real-life rescued farm animals at Barn Sanctuary, a new arrival named Buttercup learns she has a forever family to call home. Denise Hughes will illustrate. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; the author represented himself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Courtney Fahy at Little Bee Books has acquired world rights to Black Beach: How the 1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill Fueled the First Earth Day, a picture book about a girl, her community, and the events that led to the first celebration of Earth Day, written by John Stith and Shaunna Stith (c.), and illustrated by Maribel Lechuga. Publication is set for spring 2023; Clelia Gore at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the authors, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has bought world rights to Splash: A Swimming Legend Sends Out Ripples of Change, written by Elisa Boxer (l.), illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley. Ethelda Bleibtrey took up swimming to recover from polio, and went on to be the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the author, and Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow represented the illustrator.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired the next four YA fantasy novels by Tricia Levenseller. The Chromamancer Chronicles, a trilogy in which an orphan, princess, and ranger must stop a magical serial killer from destroying their world, will follow an expedited schedule with titles releasing six months apart in 2024 and 2025. The Darkness Within Us will be a companion novel to the author's bestselling The Shadows Between Us focusing on Alessandra's sister, and is slated for 2023. Rachel Brooks at BookEnds Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, Property of No State, a YA narrative nonfiction project by George M. Johnson (All Boys Aren’t Blue) written as a series of letters from Johnson to Black historical figures who were enslaved. It will relate America's history of enslavement with the present, the strides made since, and the power of Black creativity and imagination in the journey towards equity and freedom. Publication is tentatively set for fall 2022; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media did the two-book, six-figure deal for North American rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The New Friends by Kara Thomas (The Cheerleaders and That Weekend), a YA thriller pitched as The Stepford Wives meets Dare Me. When Hadley moves to an idyllic college town, she befriends the popular crowd, but rumors about something terrifying buried in the forest, and a series of strange disappearances, have her questioning whether her new friends are who they say they are. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media sold world rights; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic now represents the author.
Daniel Ehrenhaft at Blackstone has bought Hurt You by Marie Myung-Ok Lee (Finding My Voice). A contemporary YA retelling of John Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men, Lee's novel is a portrait of a pair of Korean American siblings—17-year-old Georgia and her neuro-atypical older brother, Leonardo—and the threats to their bond in a new hometown that becomes a crucible of rage over class, race, and disability. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Kim Witherspoon and Jessica Mileo at Inkwell Management brokered the deal for world English print and audio rights.
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Tilly's Great Escape, a YA debut by romance author Mazey Eddings. Recent high school graduate Tilly (who has masked her ADHD for years) is spending the summer touring Europe where she meets an attractive stranger on the plane in a series of opposites-attract in-flight disasters, in a story that celebrates neurodivergent love and making your own space in a world that wasn't built for you. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Kelli Martin at Wendy Sherman Associates negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kelsey Murphy at Viking has bought, in a six-figure preempt, TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by debut author Jesmeen Kaur Deo. This YA rom-com pitched for fans of Netflix's Never Have I Ever is about high school debater TJ Powar who, after becoming the subject of an ugly meme, makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, all to prove she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful, but finds this may be her most difficult debate yet. Publication is set for summer 2022; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Tiffany Colón at Scholastic has acquired contemporary YA romance You, Me, and Our Heartstrings by debut author Melissa See. The novel follows Daisy, a violinist with cerebral palsy, and Noah, a cellist navigating a need for perfection. The two find one another through their shared love of music, while their talent takes them to stages that offer both opportunities and unwanted viral fame for all the wrong reasons. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Alice Jerman at HarperCollins has bought, in an exclusive submission, middle grade debut Rayleigh Mann in the Company of Monsters by Ciannon Smart (Witches Steeped in Gold), and a sequel. On his 11th Halloween, Rayleigh Mann is visited by a horned monster who tells him that not only is Rayleigh part monster himself, but his father is the Supreme Scarer for an entire world of them… and he's missing. Rayleigh is drawn into a parallel city of monsters and mayhem where he must fight the most frightening, decide what sort of monster he is at heart, and find his father. Publication is planned for fall 2022. Taylor Haggerty at Root Literary did the two-book deal for North American rights; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media now represents the author.
Caroline Abbey at Random House has preempted world rights to debut middle grade novel Back to the Bright Before by Iowa MFA graduate Katherin Nolte. The book follows 11-year-old Pet Martin's quest to help her woodcutter father after he's seriously injured. Pet and her mute little brother Simon—along with a borrowed chicken and a stolen pony—set off to an enchanted abbey in search of a lost coin that promises to save their family. The first book is slated for early 2023; Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan negotiated the two-book deal.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has acquired debut middle grade graphic novel The Story Spinners: Princess Sparklepuff and Her Crew of Lady Pirates by author-illustrator Cassandra Federman (This Is a Seahorse), in which two polar opposite sisters must come together to tell an epic bedtime story that will calm their crying baby sister, so they can finally all get some sleep. Publication is set for 2024; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary did the deal for world rights.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought Little Cap and Gustuv by Andrea Zuill (Sweety), a picture book about a mushroom boy named Little Cap and his best friend, a slug named Gustav. When Gustav goes missing, it's Little Cap's job to find him because that's what friends do—no matter how scary and chaotic the world might be. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink brokered the deal for world rights.
Mary Cash at Holiday House has acquired Every Body by author-photographer Shelley Rotner, a photo essay picture book about inclusivity, tentatively planned for spring 2023. Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids has bought world rights to If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It by Lil Miss Hot Mess (l.), author of The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish and a founding member of Drag Queen Story Hour, again illustrated by Olga de Dios Ruiz. A celebration of both drag culture and embracing your uniqueness, this sing-along book invites kids and adults to blow a kiss, shake their bum, twirl around, and more. Publication is set for May 2022; Lindsay Edgecombe at Levine Greenberg Rostin Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Elizabeth Lee at FSG has acquired world English rights to Sister Day, written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.) and illustrated by Fanny Liem. This picture book follows two sisters and the rhythms of sisterhood—how despite their inevitable fights and disagreements, sisters will always find their way back to each other. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to Climbing the Volcano by Curtis Manley (l.) (The Rescuer of Tiny Creatures), illustrated by Jennifer K. Mann (The Camping Trip). A family's hike up the dormant South Sister Volcano is told through a series of kid-friendly haikus; publication is planned for spring 2024. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Bravo, Little Bird! by Annie Silvestro (l.) (Bunny's Book Club). The picture book, illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, tells the story of a friendship between an old man and a bird who bond over their shared love of music—until the day the old man's music stops, and Little Bird finds a special way to honor his memory. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree has bought world rights to the nonfiction picture book The Greatest Song of All, written by Megan Hoyt (l.) and illustrated by Katie Hickey. When a powerful city planner is determined to demolish Carnegie Hall to eliminate competition for his new Lincoln Center, renowned concert violinist Isaac Stern rolls up his sleeves and unites music lovers and activists around the world to save his beloved music hall. Publication is set for summer 2022; Deborah Warren at East West Literary represented the author, and Helen Boyle at Pickled Ink represented the illustrator.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has acquired world rights to Hope Is a Hop by Katrina Moore (l.), about a child trying to grow a garden to bring hope to their struggling family, and the bothersome bunny that's in their way, illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Sonali Fry at Rodale Kids has bought world rights to Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A Story of Food, Family, and Freedom, written by Glenda Armand (l.) and illustrated by Steffi Walthall. Inspired by the author's childhood, this picture book traces the origins of African American foodways from the point of view of one family preparing a holiday dinner. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Jen Adams at Sounds True has acquired world rights to Sylvie and the Wolf by Andrea Debbink (l.) (The Wild World Handbook), illustrated by Mercè López. The picture book follows a girl who, with the encouragement of her loving aunt, summons the courage to meet a wolf—who’s been following her everywhere she goes—face to face, with surprising results. Publication is set for fall 2022; Reiko Davis at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Remembering Mom's Kubbat Haleb by Medeia Sharif (l.), illustrated by Paran Kim, a story with Kurdish words and cultural references about a girl who, with her family's help, finds a way to celebrate her mother. Publication is scheduled for October 2022; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Zhiqiao Wang at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to The Return of the Teddy by Marcia Choo (l.), a picture book about a chivalrous teddy bear guarding a girl's childlike innocence with courage and love. It was inspired by the news that a father tried his best to make up for the loss of his daughter's beloved toy. Yao Daxin will illustrate. Publication is slated for fall 2022 in the U.S. and mainland China; the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
