Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has acquired The Girl That Time Forgot by Victoria Lee (A Lesson in Vengeance), pitched as a sapphic The Umbrella Academy meets A Thousand Pieces of You, in which a teenage girl, one of five adepts training in a mysterious new magic, discovers that her fellow trainees have recently murdered someone and are planning to kill again unless she can stop them. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Holly Root and Taylor Haggerty at Root Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo, a companion to the NBA-longlisted Last Night at the Telegraph Club. Set in 2013 after the first of the Supreme Court decisions that brought marriage equality to the U.S., the book tells the story of Aria Tang West, whose story of desire and self-discovery is subtly entwined with a note of closure for Lily and Kath from Telegraph Club. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for North American rights.
Alessandra Balzer at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought, in an exclusive submission, Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches, a romantic coming-of-age YA by Kate Scelsa, playwright and author of Fans of the Impossible Life. Eleanor, the self-declared biggest skeptic in Salem, finds her disbelief tested when a mysterious guide to tarot leads her to a crush-worthy witch named Pix. But Eleanor must make peace with her past heartbreak in order to learn to embrace the magic of the present. Publication is set for spring 2022; Brianne Johnson did the deal for North American English rights while at Writers House, and will continue to represent rights from her new position at HG Literary.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has bought, in a preempt, debut contemporary YA Just Another Epic Love Poem by Parisa Akhbari. The novel, which pairs poetry and prose, tells the story of best friends Mitra and Bea, who have been writing a never-ending poem together for five years, and how that poem—and their friendship—changes when the two girls fall in love. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Lanie Davis at Alloy Entertainment sold world English rights on behalf of Quressa Robinson at Nelson Literary.
Talia Benamy at Philomel has acquired, at auction, in a six-figure, two-book deal, The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by debut author Isaac Blum, about an Orthodox Jewish teen whose family moves to a mostly non-Jewish town, where he strikes up a friendship with the mayor's non-Jewish daughter after they find anti-Semitic graffiti in a local cemetery. While her mother leads the charge to keep the Orthodox community from expanding in the town, tragedy strikes in the form of violent hatred, causing the normally irreverent Hoodie to re-examine everything he thought he knew in the face of what he feels in his heart. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency handled the deal for world English rights.
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, Where the Lockwood Grows, a middle grade novel by Olivia A. Cole. Eleven-year-old Erie Neaux lives in Prine, one of the few towns protected from wildfires by the invention of the lockwood—a plant that must be cut back every morning by children like Erie before the vines overrun the town. But late one night, alone in the woods, Erie uncovers a secret: the lockwood isn't the only thing swallowing Prine. Publication is set for summer 2023; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Carolrhoda Lab has acquired Enly and the Buskin' Blues, the first middle grade novel by Jennie Liu (Like Spilled Water). In this humorous #OwnVoices story exploring young dreams and family expectations, a Chinese American boy tries to busk his way to musical stardom. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has bought artist-author Kaz Windness’s debut Ready-to-Read Graphics book, starring Worm and Caterpillar, best friends whose love for each other is put to the test when one of them goes through a big change. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Tent Town by author-illustrator team Andrea Davis Pinkney (l.) and Brian Pinkney. Their new illustrated middle grade novel, set just over a month after Martin Luther King Jr.'s death, follows several young residents of Resurrection City, a tent city built by 3,000 members of the Poor People's Campaign on the National Mall—where people had gathered three years earlier to watch the "I Have a Dream" speech—highlighting economic injustice in America and a new kind of peaceful protest. Publication is slated for summer 2023, to coincide with Resurrection City’s 55th anniversary; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented both the author and the illustrator.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has bought world rights to Paka Paka con la Papa: Alberto Salas Plays Potato Hide-and-Seek by Sara Fajardo (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Juana Martinez-Neal. In this picture book about one of the world's most successful plant collectors, Alberto Salas pursues rare potato plants up and down the Peruvian Andes, on a lifelong quest to help feed the world through protecting biodiversity. Publication is set for 2023; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Grace Kendall at FSG has acquired world English rights, in an exclusive submission, to What’s Between Your Hands, written by National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins (l.), illustrated by Naveen Selvanathan. By asking the people in her life what's between their hands when they Namaste, curious, thoughtful Maya learns what work her own small hands can do. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla (l.), illustrated by Brizida Magro, a picture book about the hole left in a boy's life after the death of his brother, and how he begins to navigate it with the help of a friend. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has acquired world rights to The Wishing Flower by A.J. Irving (l.), illustrated by Kate Alizadeh. The picture book, a first crush story inspired by the author's childhood, is about Birdie, an outsider who longs to belong, and Sunny, an outgoing new student who finally makes Birdie feel like she can fly. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media represented the author, and Mandy Suhr at Miles Stott Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world rights for When Summer Comes by Aimee Bissonette (l.), illustrated by Erin Hourigan, a picture book about the joys of exploring the outdoors in summer and discovering the wildlife that abounds in tide pools, mountain meadows, and lush forests. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Jenna Pocius at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Tracy Mack at Scholastic Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, When a Friend Needs a Friend, a debut picture book written and illustrated by Anne Roos Kleiss (a.k.a. Roozeboos). Oskar and Aya are best friends who do everything together. But when Oskar feels sad, how can Aya help? What is the best way to be a friend when someone you love is hurting? Publication is set for 2022; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the author-illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has bought Take Me with You by debut author-illustrator Lisa Bentley. The picture book follows a girl who uses her and her father's shared love of building things to heal after his sudden passing. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Katherine Wessbecher at Bradford Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has acquired Mr. Panda and the Red Flower by author-illustrator Jackie Huang, a picture book with interactive flaps about a persnickety panda who likes things just so, until one day, with the gift of a red flower, his perspective shifts and his life gets a little more colorful. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Paige Terlip at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has bought world rights to Baby Capybara Is a GREAT Friend! by Lauren Stohler. Baby Capybara tries everything to get some birds to perch on his back, but he doesn't want to give up his playful personality. Will he find a friend that's more his speed? Publication is slated for spring 2023; Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Tom Peterson at the Creative Company has acquired world rights to picture book Sister Spring by James Christopher Carroll, which celebrates the arrival of spring and the beauty of the changing seasons. The pub date is scheduled for spring 2023; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Michele McAvoy at Little Press/Blue Bronco Books Jr. has bought world rights to Tiny Mochi & Co., first in an illustrated early reader series from debut author-illustrator Michelle Do. Tiny Mochi & Co. celebrates Vietnamese culture and Kawaii-style art through tiny characters with big personalities. The first book will be a guide introducing children to many diverse and fun Tiny Mochi & Co. characters, including their unique personalities, likes, and dislikes. Publication is set for summer 2022; the author-illustrator represented herself.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams/Amulet has acquired world rights to The Harrowing, a YA graphic novel by Kristen Kiesling (l.), illustrated by Jen Hickman (Moth & Whisper). Pitched as Minority Report meets I Hunt Killers, it's a near future story about a psychic teen girl who is forced to use her powers to track down killers, until she discovers her boyfriend is her next target. It asks questions about how far a person might go to protect those they love, while wrestling with the value of individual choice, punishment, and rehabilitation. Publication is set for 2024; Jennifer Chen Tran at Bradford Literary represented the author, and Dara Hyde at Hill Nadell Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Guerdan at HarperTeen has bought world English rights to YA debut Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell, a romantic fantasy set in a cottagecore world. Seventeen-year-old Clara Lucas's wild magic sets fires and breaks windows— and has now grown flowers in her father's lungs. To save him, she makes a dangerous bargain with the local wizard, who happens to be her childhood best friend. Publication is planned for winter 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media brokered the deal.
Rebecca Davis at Astra Young Readers has acquired world rights to Bonebag by David Elliott (l.) (Bull and the Seventh Raven) and E.M. Elliott. The middle-grade fantasy tells the story of a boy who lives in a great and terrible forest and who has never seen another human besides his cruel parents. He begins to question the mysteries in his life when he discovers a locket that burns him to the touch and a ghostly girl beckons to him in the woods. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented both writers.
Lucas Wetzel at Andrews McMeel has bought middle grade graphic novel series Peculiar Woods by the creator of Wawawiwa comics, Andrés J. Colmenares, pitched as Adventure Time meets The Brave Little Toaster. It's the whimsical and adventurous tale of a lonely boy who teams up with a chair and blanket to help other courageous little objects with their problems. The first book, Peculiar Woods, is scheduled for spring 2023; Kathleen Ortiz at New Leaf Literary & Media did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Julie Strauss-Gabel at Dutton has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Jason Sheehan's debut middle grade duology. The first book, Children of the Flying City, to be published in March 2022, is about a nearly teenage thief, his best friend, and a 400-year-old robot passing as a 12-year-old girl. It follows the friends through the first three days of summer in a mysterious city as they flee violence, betrayal, and war in their attempt to learn the truth of where they came from, while protecting the terrible secrets they've been keeping from each other. David Dunton at Harvey Klinger sold world rights.
Mabel Hsu at HarperCollins/Tegen has bought On Air with Zoe Washington by Janae Mark and a second, untitled novel. In this sequel to the bestselling From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Zoe and her recently exonerated father have dreams of opening their own restaurant—a place for Zoe to bake desserts and Marcus to hire previously incarcerated people—but with the public's waning interest in their story and no bank to provide a loan, can Zoe find another way to achieve their dreams? Publication is set for winter 2023; Alex Slater at Trident Media group negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Kiara Valdez at First Second has acquired Everyone Is White on the Internet, a middle-grade graphic novel by Nadia Shammas (l.) (Squire) and Molly Murakami. The story, set in the early 2000s and based on a true story, follows Nora, an Arab American girl from Brooklyn who takes on the secret persona of a white girl in her online fandom community in order to run away from her insecurities and her parents’ crumbling marriage. When romance blooms on one of her favorite anime forums, Nora has to decide who she wants to be. Publication is planned for 2024; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management sold world English rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab has bought debut middle-grade novel Indigo and Ida by Heather Murphy Capps. When eighth-grade aspiring reporter Indigo finds letters from 19th-century journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, Wells's story motivates Indigo to take a stand and expose racist policies at her school. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has acquired word rights to 1, 2, 3, Scream! by Russell Ginns (writing as R.U. Ginns) (l.), author of the Samantha Spinner series; Lydia Gregovic will edit. The middle-grade collection of 19 silly, scary tales of terror will be illustrated by Javier Espila. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Kevin O'Connor at O'Connor Literary Agency represented the author, and Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Rachel Matson at Scholastic Acorn has bought, in a three-book deal, world rights to Mermaid Days, written by National Book Award nominee Kyle Lukoff (l.) (When Aidan Became a Brother), illustrated by Kat Uno. This illustrated early reader series follows a friendly mermaid named Vera and a new-to-town octo-kid named Beaker around their adventures in Tidal Grove. Publication will begin in summer 2022; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Kayla Cichello at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has acquired, with Elizabeth Barton editing, Figgy & Boone and a second book in the series by Janee Trasler for the Ready-to-Read Graphics line. The series centers on the friendship between Boone, a book-smart rat, and Figgy, a little mouse who has never met a stranger—only potential friends. Publication for the first book is set for fall 2022; Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has bought picture book Between Two Windows by debut author-illustrator Keisha Morris. In this story, a friendship blossoms when two kids pass drawings to each other across the clothesline between their apartment windows, creating an imaginary world full of adventure. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Claire Easton at Painted Words handled the deal for world rights.
Kate Harrison at Dial has acquired world rights to Flora, the Lion Tamer, a picture book by author-illustrator Fiona Halliday. In this story about friendship and loss, Flora, a shy little mouse, learns about bravery after her dandelion friend Lion fades and departs, leaving behind only wishes. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency sold world rights.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear has bought world rights to picture book Pirates Don't Dance! by Shawna J. C. Tenney, about a boy named Jack who dreams of being a pirate, if only that didn't mean giving up the other thing he truly loves: dancing. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Andrea Spooner at Little, Brown has acquired world rights, at auction, to The Lantern House by Erin Napier (l.), co-host of HGTV's Home Town, illustrated by Adam Trest. Told from the point of view of a house across generations, the story celebrates the tales our homes could tell, while exploring the seasons of life and the joy of renewal. Publication is set for summer 2022; Kim Perel at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the author and the artist.
Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick Press has bought world rights, at auction, to Noura's Crescent Moon, a picture book about patience and anticipation as one child and her family prepare for Eid al-Fitr, and a second book, both by debut author Zainab Khan (l.). Noura's Crescent Moon will be illustrated by Nabila Adani. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has acquired world rights to Big Truck Day!, a picture book about transportation, books, and a community coming together, by Rosanne Parry (l.) (A Wolf Called Wander), illustrated by debut artist Niki Stage. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Fiona Kenshole at Transatlantic Literary Agency represented the author, and Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Jessica Anderson at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Gloriana, Presente: A First Day of School Story by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris (l.), illustrated by Doris Rodriguez. Pitched as The Day You Begin meets The King of Kindergarten, this bilingual picture book features a Dominican American girl overcoming anxiety and finding her voice in the classroom. The book is scheduled for 2023; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Context Literary Agency represented the author, and the artist represented herself.
Naomi Kirsten at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Finding Grateful by Dianne White (l.), illustrated by Faith Pray, which follows a child learning to find gratitude in life's unexpected—and even challenging—moments. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Molly O'Neill at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Tara Walker at Tundra Books has bought North American rights to debut young readers poetry collection Words with Wings and Magic Things by Matthew Burgess (l.), illustrated by Doug Salati. It celebrates the power of words to awaken the imagination and alchemize the everyday. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author and illustrator.
