Julie Strauss-Gabel at Dutton has acquired North American rights to The Only Girl in Town and an untitled YA novel by Ally Condie. The Only Girl in Town tells the story of a teen who wakes up to discover that everyone she knows and loves has disappeared. Publication is scheduled for 2023; Jodi Reamer at Writers House represented the author.
Jennifer Klonsky and Polo Orozco at Putnam have bought, in an exclusive submission, The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods), a YA fantasy duology inspired by Filipino folklore. In the first book, Princess of the Summer Court, a girl learns that her late father was an Encanto, the fairy king of the Summer Court, and now she must navigate a backstabbing court, claim her throne, and wage war against the Winter kingdom. Publication is set for 2024; Richard Abate at 3 Arts Entertainment sold world rights.
Foyinsi Adegbonmire at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, in a six-figure deal, Study Break, a YA anthology edited by Aashna Avachat, originating from tweets by contributors Ananya Devarajan and Camryn Garrett. Told over the course of one academic year, each story takes place on the same fictional college campus and explores different aspects of the "college experience." The contributors, all current college students or recent graduates, also include Jake Maia Arlow, Arushi Avachat, Christina Li, Racquel Marie, Laila Sabreen, Michael Waters, Joelle Wellington, and an as-yet undiscovered writer. Publication is planned for winter 2023; Laurel Symonds at the Bent Agency did the deal for world rights.
Sarah Rubio at WaterBrook has bought Once a Queen and two sequels by nonfiction author Sarah Arthur, in her fiction debut. This YA portal fantasy series begins when American teenager Eva spends the summer with her estranged English grandmother, whom she suspects was once a queen in a fairy tale world that Eva has always hoped was real. As Eva has her own portal adventures, she must wrestle with the fallout of broken family relationships, grief for a vanishing childhood, and the fear that becoming an adult means giving up fairy tales forever. Publication for book one is slated for summer 2023; Alice Fugate at the Joy Harris Literary Agency sold world rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired debut author Amanda Linsmeier's Starlings, a YA feminist horror novel pitched as Midsommar set in Stars Hollow in which a teen girl visits her father's hometown for the first time following his death, only to discover that her family is strangely revered among the locals, and that she has an important role in the town's future. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Juliana McBride at Rebecca Friedman Literary sold world English rights.
Jonah Heller at Peachtree Teen has bought world rights to Junkyard Dogs by Katherine Higgs-Coulthard. In this contemporary YA, 17-year-old Josh Roberts finds himself caught in a copper scrapping ring after his father steals from accomplices. If Josh wants to keep his little brother safe and out of the system, he'll have to risk truancy, arrest, and his own life to enter a criminal underground and track down his father. Publication is planned for spring 2023; the author represented herself.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has acquired, at auction, Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is by Casey Lyall (Howard Wallace, P.I.). The middle-grade novel follows the story of Lemon Peabody, who is determined to prove her beloved grandfather's claim that he once witnessed an alien landing. When the aliens return (looking a lot like garden gnomes), Lemon is convinced they can help stop Grandpa's Alzheimer's disease from getting worse, but the visitors have their own problems that they need Lemon's help with. Publication is set for summer 2023; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired The Jake Show, a middle-grade novel by Joshua S. Levy. The story follows a Jewish seventh grader caught between the two extreme worlds of his divorced parents—one Orthodox, one secular. To finally find a place he belongs, he concocts a web of lies to attend a summer camp with his friends that neither of his parents would approve of. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Elana Roth Parker sold world English rights.
Lisa Mangum at Shadow Mountain has bought, in a two-book deal, Trusting True North by Gina Linko. The middle-grade novel follows a map enthusiast who, during lockdown, gets thrown into a bigger adventure than she bargained for, including a ghost, a potential betrayal, and a pirate-themed treasure hunt. Publication is slated for April 2022; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Tara Walker, Lynne Missen, Liz Kribs, and Peter Phillips at Tundra Books have jointly bought six new books by David A. Robertson. The deal includes a middle grade graphic novel, The Seven, set in the author's Misewa Saga universe about the origin story of the seven warrior birds, for spring 2024; the first two books in a chapter book series, Lauren Goes Explorin', about a 10-year-old Indigenous girl whose tight-knit family and optimistic, adventurous spirit empower her to solve everyday mysteries and overcome her own obstacles in the process, starting in fall 2023; two picture books, Little Shoes, for summer 2023, and a second untitled book; and the fifth volume in the middle grade Misewa Saga fantasy series.
Allyn Johnston at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Red & Green, a die-cut-filled young Christmas book by Caldecott Honor and Eric Carle Artist Honor recipient Lois Ehlert, who died this past May. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Liza Voges at Eden Street Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has bought world rights to Piper Sings, a picture book by Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor Phillipa Soo (l.) and Maris Pasquale Doran (c.), illustrated by Qin Leng (r.). Based on Soo’s childhood, the story explores the relationship between an enthusiastic girl who loves to sing pop music and her beloved nai nai who plays classical piano. Publication is set for spring 2024; Albert Lee at United Talent Agency represented the authors, and Tamara Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired world rights to Newbery Honor and Pura Belpré Award winner Margarita Engle's (l.) Water Day, illustrated by debut artist Olivia Sua, about a girl and her community celebrating the arrival of the water man when he comes on his weekly visit to distribute water to a Cuban village. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Michelle Humphrey at the Martha Kaplan Agency represented the author, and Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Dial has bought world rights to two picture books by debut author Charlotte Cheng (l.). GoGo and the Night Market follows the journey of an abandoned street dog as he discovers the magic of a Taipei night market, where he stumbles upon the gift of friendship and potentially, the promise of home, illustrated by Amber Ren (c.) for spring 2023. Roar-Choo explores the centuries-old relationship between Dragon and Phoenix as they combat a cold together, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat (r.) for spring 2024. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented Cheng, Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Ren, and Jodi Reamer at Writers House represented Santat.
Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Our Roof Is Blue by Sara Echenique (l.), illustrated by Ashley Vargas. This picture book is about a younger sibling who experiences post-traumatic stress disorder after a hurricane damages his home in Puerto Rico. With the support of his older sister—and through storytelling, play, and rebuilding their roof—the boy finds his voice and sense of safety once more. Publication is set for spring 2023; Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Pajamarama by Julie Gonzalez (l.), illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. This rhyming picture book celebrates the different types of pajamas kids can wear, from superheroes to jungle print, unicorns to trucks and trains. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to Grandpa's Scroll by Ginger Park (l.) and Frances Park (c.), illustrated by Kim Dong-Hoon (r.). This picture book explores the topic of grief when Lily's grandfather unexpectedly dies before he visits her from Korea. Publication is planned for March 2023; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Amy Milligan at the Illo Agency represented the illustrator.
Allison Hunter Hill at Starry Forest Books has acquired world rights to Cadence and Kittenfish: A Mermaid Tale by Judith L. Roth (l.), illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. A little mermaid is determined to adopt a kitten until a kitten-ish sea otter proves to be a much better aquatic pet. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Emma Hintzen at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to My First Learn-to-Talk Book, the first in speech-language pathologist Stephanie Cohen's board book series that uses a proven approach to help babies and toddlers master the building blocks of speech. Publication is planned for June 2022; Eliot Ephraim at Ephraim & Associates represented the author in the two-book deal.
Annalie Grainger at Walker Books UK and Susan Van Metre at Walker Books US have acquired, at auction, two books by debut author Shade Lapite. The first novel, Goddess Crown, is a fast-paced YA fantasy romance following warrior-princess Kalothia, who must navigate the intrigues of court to find her own role and her one true love. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Bria Ragin has bought at auction, in her first acquisition for Delacorte, debut author Page Powars's YA novel The Borrow a Boyfriend Club, in which a trans boy must master the art of romance to join his new school's most illustrious (and secret) club to ensure his classmates see him as his true gender, and soon finds himself falling for the club's prickly president; plus And They Were Roommates, about a trans teen trying to keep a low profile at his all-boys boarding school, which proves difficult once he starts rooming with the strict principal's charming son, who's also his former summer camp fling from before he transitioned. Publication is set for summer 2023 and summer 2024; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency did the deal for U.S., Canada, and non-exclusive OPM rights.
Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road has acquired North American rights to The Rules of Us by Jennifer Nissley (The Mythic Koda Rose), pitched as the intersection between Becky Albertalli and Nina LaCour in a queer YA love story about longtime couple and best friends Jillian and Henry, who have dated throughout high school only to come out to each other on prom night, challenging their meticulously planned future as they try to disentangle their lives and identities, explore their sexualities, and learn not only a new way to be together, but how to be alone. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency represented the author.
Kristin Daly Rens at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought, at auction, Lyssa Mia Smith's debut YA fantasy, Revelle! Revelle! Pitched as "magical Moulin Rouge in the Prohibition era," in which a young trapeze star must magically seduce a dangerous bootlegger whose time-traveling family is set on destroying hers, but when she mistakenly charms a handsome tourist instead, she must bury the forbidden sparks between them before her family loses everything. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Lauren Spieller at TriadaUS brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired, at auction, Andrea Ellickson's debut YA novel The Vanishing Station. Ruby Santos just graduated from high school, but unlike her classmates who are backpacking or off to college, finances keep her anchored to San Francisco. But soon she's forced to navigate a magic underground train system, keep her father alive, and save her late mother’s home, all while falling for the heir of a dangerous crime family. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Kerry Sparks and Rebecca Rodd at Levine Greenberg Rostan negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks has bought The Chaperone, the debut YA novel by Molly McCaffery, writing as M Hendrix. After her first chaperone dies under mysterious circumstances, 17-year-old Stella's whole life changes when her new chaperone introduces her to a world of freedoms normally forbidden in oppressive New America, opening her eyes to dark secrets that the government, and even her family, are keeping from her. Publication is set for winter 2023; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management handled the deal for world rights.
Julie Rosenberg at Razorbill has acquired world rights to Thin Air, Kellie M. Parker's debut YA novel. For fans of One of Us Is Lying and All Your Twisted Secrets, this thriller set on an eight-hour luxury flight to Paris features 16 high school students competing for a prestigious scholarship—one someone is willing to kill to win. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Ali Herring at Spencerhill Associates brokered the deal for world rights.
Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an eight-house auction, two middle-grade graphic novels by Bangladeshi American artist Fahmida Azim (Samira Surfs). The first book, Mega Megha, follows spunky American preteen Megha Malik, who seeks to prove how grown-up she is by fasting for Ramadan for the first time as she navigates the stresses of awkward school lunches, gym class, birthday parties, and the uncanny ability to smell pizza from far distances without being able to eat it. Publication is slated for 2024; Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Liza Kaplan at Viking has acquired, at auction, The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, a debut middle grade fantasy by Nicki Pau Preto (Crown of Feathers). Pitched as The Umbrella Academy meets The School for Good and Evil, the story follows a girl with misunderstood powers who has been expelled from nearly every magic school in existence, until she's sent to Last Hope, where she's taught that her quirky—and sometimes catastrophic—magic is to be celebrated, not condemned, and might be just what her school needs to defend itself against unexpected danger. Publication is set for spring 2024; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management did the two-book deal for world rights.
Mark Siegel at First Second has preempted world rights to Myth Valley Medical by cartoonist Gavin Aung Than. In this humorous middle grade graphic novel, pitched as Scrubs meets Fantastic Beasts, a young doctor-in-training for mythical creatures must find the courage to treat the one creature in Mythica that her mother said never to help—a human. Publication is scheduled for spring/summer 2024; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Sophia Jimenez at Atheneum has bought world rights to middle-grade novel Sparrow Being Sparrow by Gail Donovan (l.), the story of a girl who takes on the job of finding new homes for all seven of her elderly neighbor's cats (plus some unexpected kittens), and finds her confidence and some new friends along the way. Julie Kwon will illustrate; publication is slated for summer 2023. Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms/HG Literary represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Sarah Alpert of Algonquin Young Readers has acquired, at auction, world and audio rights to Fangs, Feathers and Folklore, a middle grade field guide to mythological African beasts by B. Sharise Moore (l.), illustrated by Hayden Goodman. The first mythological field guide focused solely on the many countries on the African continent, it will feature more than 60 creatures. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Laurie McLean at Fuse Literary represented the author, and Emily Keyes represented the illustrator while at Fuse Literary.
Jill Davis at Astra/Hippo Park has bought world rights to A Story by Barney Saltzberg (One of These Is Not Like the Other), in which a young mouse opens a book, hoping to find a story, only to meet an older mouse who doesn't want to admit what has happened to it. It's scheduled for spring 2023; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio negotiated the deal.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired world rights to Saudade by Ana Crespo (l.), a love letter to Brazil in picture book form, featuring a child and her immigrant mother as they explore the meaning of saudade, a Portuguese word for a strong feeling of longing for something you can't have. Brazilian artist André Ceolin will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2024. Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has bought world rights to Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Award winner April Reynolds's (l.) Sam with Ants in His Pants, illustrated by Katie Kordesh. In this story, nature comes alive when a boy named Sam—who is not ready for naptime—opens up his favorite book, African Wildlife, and is greeted by a troop of baboons, towering giraffes, a parade of elephants, and more, who leap off the page and into his bedroom. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Jennifer Lyons at the Jennifer Lyons Agency represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Keren Baltzer at Convergent has acquired world rights to Greenlee Is Growing by Anthony DeStefano (l.), a picture book detailing the four seasons and their intersection with the seasons of our lives. The story is told through the eyes of "Greenlee," who first appears as a girl of three, and follows her through the spring of her youth and the summer of her adulthood, and ends with her knitting by the fire in the cold days of winter. Louise Ellis will illustrate; the pub date is projected for March 2023. The late Peter Miller at Global Lion represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Clack, Clack! Smack! , a picture book by Traci Sorell (l.), illustrated by Joseph Erb, about the fast-paced Cherokee game of stickball; both author and illustrator are enrolled citizens of the Cherokee Nation. In the story, Vann worries he's not a good enough player and will let his team down, but sometimes working together is what wins a game. Charlesbridge will also publish a Cherokee-language e-book edition. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Aneeka Kalia at Viking has acquired, in a seven-house auction, world rights to My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper (l.), illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award winner Frank Morrison, in a two-book deal. A love letter to the Bronx, this picture book shines a light on the dazzling spirit and hidden gems that bring this New York City borough to life. Publication is set for fall 2023; Lindsay Auld of Writers House represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Dial has bought world rights to Charlotte Cheng's (l.) picture book I Miss You Most, a poem about losing a loved one while still seeing them in the details of day-to-day life; Xindi Yan will illustrate. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has acquired world rights to Spree: The Boy Who Gave the World a New Musical Instrument by Celeste Mohammed (l.), illustrated by Cory Thomas, based on the early life of Trinidadian Winston "Spree" Simon, who in the early 20th century developed the steelpan and brought the instrument to the world's attention. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Jennifer Carlson of Dunow, Carlson, & Lerner represented the author, and Kirsten Hall of Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Our Joyful Noise by Gabriele Davis (l.), illustrated by Craig Stanley. This jazzy picture book celebrates the sounds and songs in the life of a suburban Black family. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Kandace Coston at Lee & Low has acquired world rights to Wataru Misaka, a picture book biography of the first non-Caucasian athlete and first Asian American to play in the Basketball Association of America—now known as the NBA—written by Cheryl Kim (l.), illustrated by Nat Iwata. The book is scheduled for spring 2024; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and the illustrator.
