Katherine Harrison at Knopf has acquired YA rom-com Friday I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett (Full Disclosure). The story is about a queer teen determined to throw a lavish "Coming Out Party" in place of a Sweet Sixteen, but when her mother is laid off, she's forced to balance saving for the party with keeping her household afloat, while navigating her growing feelings for a new girl at school. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American and audio rights.
Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has bought North American English rights to Katzenjammer, a YA novel by Francesca Zappia (Made You Up). Katzenjammer tells the story of Cat, who must save herself from eventual self-destruction by remembering the terrible tragedy that trapped her in high school and why half of those trapped—Cat included—are transforming. It’s a tale of masks—the ones others make for us, and the ones we make for ourselves. The book includes illustrations created by the author. Publication is set for summer 2022; Louise Fury at the Bent Agency brokered the deal.
Samantha Palazzi at Scholastic has acquired rights to I Kick and I Fly by activist and documentarian Ruchira Gupta, a YA social justice action-adventure inspired by true events, about a girl in Bihar, India, who escapes being sold into the sex trade when a local hostel owner helps her to understand the value of her body through kung fu. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Laura Cameron and Samantha Haywood at Transatlantic Literary sold world rights in a preempt.
Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree has bought, in a preempt, Rhythm & Muse by India Hill Brown. Pitched as Cinderella meets Cyrano, this YA debut is a romantic comedy about a Black teen boy who, after deciding to admire his dream girl from afar, anonymously writes a romantic song for her that becomes the front runner in a theme song contest for her popular podcast. Publication is scheduled for winter 2023; Holly Root at Root Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Greg Hunter at Graphic Universe has acquired Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosi, a YA graphic novel based on the author's own experiences, about body image, social media, and the invisible forces that shape the way we think about ourselves. Unretouchable tells the story of Olive, who is spending the summer before college at a to-die-for internship: helping out the digital imaging specialist for a major fashion magazine. Publication is set for fall 2022; Jennifer Weltz at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Dana Leydig at Viking has bought, in a six-figure preempt, graphic novel Shock City by Aaron Alexovich. Pitched as Beetlejuice for middle grade, the adventure begins as a kid named Milo rings the doorbell of the forbidden Shock City castle on a dare, and gets more than he bargained for when Sunny, a peppy young monster, answers the door. The new best friends will overcome their biggest fears to reverse the damage that Sunny's grandfather (Shock City's corrupt benefactor) inflicted on their crumbling town. A fall 2024 publication is planned; Daniel Lazar at Writers House sold North American rights.
Jill Santopolo at Philomel has acquired world rights to Hope Wins: A Collection of Inspiring Stories for Young Readers, a middle grade anthology edited by Rose Brock. The book features stories of inspiration, empowerment, and hope by Gordon Korman, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Matt de la Peña, Max Brallier, Christina Soontornvat, Stuart Gibbs, Janae Marks, J.C. Cervantes, R.L. Stine, Sarah Mlynowski, Soman Chainani, Karina Yan Glaser, Adam Gidwitz, Veera Hiranandani, Pablo Cartaya, James Ponti, Tom Angleberger, Julie Buxbaum, James Bird, Hena Khan, Rex Ogle, and Ronald L. Smith. Publication is slated for summer 2022; Brock represented herself.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has bought, in an exclusive submission, World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky, a middle grade novel that follows Iris as she grieves for her father, faces the many injustices surrounding his death from AIDS, and discovers her own voice and activism. Publication is scheduled for winter 2023; Wendy Schmalz at Wendy Schmalz Agency sold world rights.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has acquired The Hunt for the Hollower by debut author Callie C. Miller. This middle grade adventure follows a young wizard—the seven-times great grandchild of the Wizard Merlyn—and her friends on a quest to save her brother from the magic-stealing Hollower while she masters the mysteries of her magic. Publication is set for summer 2023; Kelly Dyksterhouse at Raven Quill Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Lauri Hornik at Dial has bought, in a preempt, Do More by Dana Kramaroff, in an exclusive submission. The novel tells the story of 12-year-old Josh, who keeps his Jewish identity a secret at his new middle school. But when someone sprays swastikas and graffiti all over the school, and then Josh's synagogue, he forms the "Do More" club to try to counteract hate. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins, with Eva Lynch-Comer, has acquired Fros, Waves, Fades & Braids by Schneider Award winner Sean Qualls, in a mid-six figure, three-book, five-publisher auction. The picture book, a tribute to the beauty and history of Black hair, is the outgrowth of a desire to tell a rich and timely story about Black culture in America via one of its most quintessential qualities—hair. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties sold North American English rights.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has bought, in an exclusive submission, Tiny Troubles by Sophie Diao in her debut as author-illustrator, a picture book about two succulent buddies—one having an existential crisis, the other more patient and laidback—and their imaginative search for purpose. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Hannah Mann at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Yasemin Uçar at Kids Can Press has acquired Clementine and the Lion, a picture book by Zoey Abbott, in which young Clementine, delighted to find herself freed of her ghoulish parents and evil aunt, becomes quite comfortable living on her own, until she discovers that a lion has moved in with her. Publication is set for spring 2022; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties negotiated the deal for world rights.
Deeba Zargarpur at Salaam Reads has bought, at auction, world rights to The Masjid Kamal Loves by Ashley Franklin (l.), illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel, a picture book in the style of The House That Jack Built, which highlights a boy's joy at attending Jumu'ah prayer, even as his excitement accidentally causes one mishap after another. Publication is expected in spring 2023; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Chris Krones at Clarion has acquired world rights to Same Love, Different Hug by Sarah Hovorka (l.), illustrated by Abbey Bryant. This picture book is a sometimes loud, sometimes quiet look at connecting with others, navigating boundaries, and modeling social-emotional skills for the youngest among us. Publication is planned for winter 2023; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Context Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has bought world rights to Celebrate! by Janet Lawler (l.), illustrated by Brittany Baugus, a picture book celebrating all the firsts that animals and babies experience early in life. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the author and the illustrator.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Our Nipa Hut: A Story in the Philippines, by Rachell Abalos (l.), illustrated by Salvadorean artist Gabriela Larios. Yelena and Papa care lovingly for their traditional nipa hut home every day, but when a typhoon roars towards the Philippines, their preparation will be put to the test. Publication is set for late spring 2022; Hannah VanVels at Belcastro Agency represented the author, and Thomasin Chinnery of Zeitgeist Agency represented the illustrator.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft has bought world rights to Moon Tree by debut author Carolyn Bennett Fraiser (l.), a nonfiction picture book about a tree that flew to the moon and a curious girl who uncovered its mystery, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and MGI Artists represented the illustrator.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has acquired world rights to Firehouse Rainbow by Diana Murray (l.), illustrated by Rob McClurkan, a rhyming picture book about a birthday cake, a fire station, its diverse crew, and those that save the day. A January 2023 publication is planned; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Antonia Markiet at HarperCollins has acquired, from the Shel Silverstein estate, North American rights to Shel Silverstein's books Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? and Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book, originally published in 1964 and 1961. The HarperCollins editions will have refreshed covers for these classic titles. Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? is set to publish on November 30, and Uncle Shelby's ABZ Book will publish with Harper Adult in 2022. With this deal, the entire Shel Silverstein children's book catalog will now be under the HarperCollins publishing umbrella.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought world rights to Daughters of Oduma by Moses Ose Utomi, an African-inspired YA fantasy debut about chosen family and self-belief. The novel follows 16-year-old Dirt, who is long retired from the The Isle's elite, all-girl fighting sport of Bowing. However, when tragedy forces her back into the ring to compete for the survival of her Fam, she learns that she might be the gods-blessed warrior of prophecy. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author.
Anne Heltzel at Abrams/Amulet has acquired a YA novel, Look No Further, by sisters Rioghnach Robinson (l.) (Seven Ways We Lie and Noteworthy, published under the pen name Riley Redgate, and Siofra Robinson. In the book, two half-Asian half-siblings collide by chance at summer art camp, and, once they discover their relationship, hunt for truths about their mutual errant parent, while exploring their own identities and finding their eyes opening to their specific, unusual roles in the world. Publication is expected in spring 2023; Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Brian Geffen at Holt has bought, in an exclusive submission, North American English rights to Juramento, a contemporary YA novel by Rocky Callen. Pitched as Fast and Furious meets Atypical, the story follows fierce-hearted Leti Rivera, a street racer who is chasing her dreams and outrunning pain that has plagued her family since she was born. When tragedy strikes her family again and her life collides with Jacob, an autistic boy who is grappling with grief of his own, she makes an oath that could change her life forever. Publication is set for winter 2024; Holly McGhee of Pippin Properties negotiated the deal.
Lily Kessinger at Clarion has acquired, at auction, world English rights to YA debut Bianca Torre Is Afraid of Everything by Justine Pucella Winans, a campy thriller in which an introverted nonbinary birder finds themself solving a murder mystery with their popular jock classmate, all while falling for a cute girl from their birding group... and trying not to get murdered. Publication is planned for winter 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media represented the author.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought Chili & Spaghetti and Other Dynamic Duos by Jenn Bishop (Things You Can't Say). In this multi-generational, multi-POV contemporary middle grade novel, eighth graders Abby and Rory embark on a secret friendship after discovering that their fathers, now rival college basketball coaches in Cincinnati, experienced a falling out of their own decades ago. The girls conspire to get to the bottom of what went down between their dads before history repeats itself. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates brokered the deal for North American rights.
Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree has acquired, at auction, It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! by Nicole Chen. This middle-grade contemporary novel follows a big-hearted Taiwanese American girl as she aims to gain her family's acceptance and save her favorite boba tea shop by selling her hand-crafted amigurumi dolls. Publication is scheduled for winter 2023; Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Charlie Ilgunas at Yellow Jacket has bought Ghosts Come Rising by Adam Perry (The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books), a middle grade horror novel based around the true stories of the Spiritualist movement. After their parents' deaths, siblings Liza and John Carroll are placed in the custody of their uncle, a traveling con artist who scams the grieving with fraudulent "spirit" photographs, until one day they arrive at a Spiritualist commune and Liza starts to wonder if what she thought were tricks might actually be real. Publication is set for fall 2022; Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group did the deal for world rights.
Kristin Gilson at Aladdin has acquired world rights for two middle-grade books by debut author Darcy Marks. The first, Grounded for All Eternity, is the story of four friends who break out of Hell just for kicks, but find themselves in the middle of an epic Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts, and hot on the trail of the nastiest witch hunter in history. Publication is planned for Halloween 2022, with the second book due in fall 2023; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/HG Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has bought world rights to Birdy, written by N. West Moss. After the death of their mother, Birdy and Mouse are forced to start over in this middle grade debut about discovering where you belong. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Michael Carr at Veritas Literary Agency negotiated the deal for the author.
Hilary Van Dusen and Carter Hasegawa at Candlewick Press have acquired nonfiction chapter book series Danger Files by Anna Crowley Redding (l.), in a two-book deal for world rights. The series invites young readers to put on their detective hats as they consider the mounting evidence that leads up to a disaster—weaving in eyewitness accounts, danger clues, fact files, and more. Robbie Cathro will illustrate. The first book will publish in spring 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Christina Pulles while at Albert Whitman bought, with Nivair Gabriel and Madison Moore editing, world rights to Abby in Orbit, a chapter book series by Andrea J. Loney (l.) (Double Bass Blues) and illustrated by Fuuji Takashi. Set in 2051 on a new International Space Station, the books follow fun-loving third grader Abby and her little brother, their famous scientist parents, and Abby’s classmates through her adventures in friendship, family, and space travel. Publication of the two titles is set for fall 2022; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Literary Agency represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired Mossy and Tweed: Crazy for Coconuts and a second untitled book by Mirka Hokkanen in her graphic novel debut. In the first book, the stubborn gnomes’ friendship is put to the test as they try to crack a coconut. Publication for the first book is scheduled for summer 2023, as part of the I Like to Read Comics line; Laurel Symonds at the Bent Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Lauri Hornik at Dial has bought world English rights to I Am a Tree, a picture book by Jon Agee. I Am a Tree follows a girl who pretends to be a tree in order to stay outside all day long and convinces her father to join her. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Holly McGhee of Pippin Properties negotiated the deal.
Stacey Barney at Penguin/Paulsen has acquired world rights for What Is Brown? by author-illustrator Ron Grady. On one level a concept book following a boy through his day as plays, paints, bakes, and notices the fur on his dog and other things that are brown, this picture book in a larger sense associates these brown things with comfort and beauty. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary in association with Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises did the deal.
Kate O’Sullivan at Clarion has bought world rights to The Imposter by author-illustrator Kelly Collier, a picture book about Skunk who wants to become Max-the-dog so he can belong. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio brokered the deal.
Cheryl Klein at Lee & Books has acquired world rights to two picture books from Hena Khan (l.) (Under My Hijab). The first, Behind My Doors, tells the story of the world's oldest repository of manuscripts, the Al-Qarawiyyin Library in Fez, Morocco, from the library's point of view. It will be illustrated by Nabila Adani (c.). The second book, tentatively titled Super Friday, follows the adventures of Zain, who longs to play superheroes with his father as they attend Friday prayers at their mosque. It will be illustrated by Nez Riaz (r). Publication is projected for fall 2022 and spring 2023, respectively; Matthew Elblonk at DeFiore Literary represented Khan, Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented Adani, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented Riaz.
Andrea Tompa at Candlewick has bought world rights to Back Home, a picture book by Arlène Elizabeth Casimir (l.), illustrated by Ken Daley. It tells the story of young Lune, whose favorite stories are those her Daddy tells her, all beginning with "lakay," meaning "back home" in Haiti. Through his stories, she is transported to a place that she has never been and is inspired to tell her own stories. Publication is set for spring 2024; Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Dana Chidiac while at Dial has acquired world rights to picture book I Am Not Afraid of Anything by BCHQ #BlackCreatorsInKidLit co-founder Bernard Mensah (l.), about the bravest girl in the world whose courage is tested at the Ghanaian festival of monsters, the Kakamatobi Festival, and a second untitled picture book. Raissa Figueroa will illustrate, and Michelle Lee is editing. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the author while at Bradford Literary Agency, and Natacha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Yasemin Uçar at Kids Can has bought world rights to If You Were a Butterfly by Mượn Thị Văn (l.) (Wishes), which considers the life cycle of a butterfly from new perspectives, with Andrea Armstrong illustrating. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Rachel Matson has acquired world rights to novelty board books Every Bunny Dance Now by Joan Holub (l.) (Mighty Dads), a celebration of spring, and I Love You a Latke, a whimsical ode to Hanukkah, both illustrated by Allison Black (Future Baby). Publication is scheduled for spring 2022 and fall 2022, respectively; Liza Voges at Eden Street Literary represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
