Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired The Island and a standalone untitled novel by Natasha Preston (The Twin). A visit to a private amusement park is the trip of a lifetime for a group of influencers, until they learn that getting off the island alive isn't part of the plan. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Ariella Feiner at United Agents negotiated the deal for world rights.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has bought Elizabeth Wein's Stateless, a YA novel set two years before the start of WWII, following young pilots facing intrigue and sabotage in a race across Europe. Publication is planned for March 2023; Ginger Clark while at Curtis Brown did the deal for U.S. rights, with Canadian rights to Lynne Missen at Penguin Teen and UK rights to Katie Ager and Ellen Holgate at Bloomsbury UK.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Eugene Lee Yang's debut YA duology, The Unders, a twisted, queer fantasy in which a group of teens band together to stop a war between the human and the magical world. Publication of the first book is slated for spring 2024; Jessica Felleman at Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Claudia Gabel at HarperCollins has bought Breakup from Hell by Ann Dávila Cardinal. Horror novel-obsessed Mica Angeles can't believe her luck when she starts dating Sam, the super-hot new guy she meets at church. The dream morphs into a nightmare, though, when she discovers his family roots stretch down into the underworld. Publication is set for winter 2023; Linda Camacho at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Suzy Krogulski at Astra Books for Young Readers has acquired The Evolving Truth of Ever-Stronger Will, a YA novel by Maya MacGregor (The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester). After watching their abusive mother die in front of them, a non-binary teen seeks out a former foster mother who once was ready to adopt them, in a mystery about family, grief, and surviving an abusive parent even as their mother's ghost seems to dog their every step. Publication is scheduled for 2024; Sara Megibow at kt literary did the deal for world English rights.
Feather Flores at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Viva!, the middle grade debut of Mónica Mancillas (l.) (Mariana and Her Familia), illustrated by Isadora Zeferino (Mismatched). This nonfiction compendium introduces young readers to visionary figures of Latine heritage, from Amalia Hernandez and Sylvia Rivera to César Milstein and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and encourages future Latine leaders to make their own impact on the world. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author, and Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Anna Bloom at Scholastic has bought world rights to Pura Belpré Honor author Angela Cervantes (Lety Out Loud) first spooky middle grade novel, as yet untitled, about 12-year-old Rafael Fuentes, who must confront ghosts from his past as well as a real-life haunting: scary stories he's invented have begun to come true. Publication is set for fall 2023; Adriana Dominguez, now at Aevitas Creative Management, brokered the deal while at Full Circle Literary.
Susan Dobinick at Astra Young Readers has acquired world rights to the middle grade nonfiction Loch Ness Uncovered: The True Story Behind the Greatest Monster Hoax of All Time by Rebecca Siegel (To Fly Among the Stars). Starting with the 1934 photo of Nessie, which set off a monster fervor, the Loch Ness tale is one of ambition, fear, buffoonery, and revenge, and is also a striking example of the way misinformation can fuel fringe beliefs. Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency did the deal for publication in spring 2024.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to The Rescues by Tommy Greenwald (l.) and Charlie Greenwald (c.), illustrated by Shiho Pate (r.), in a two-book deal. These easy-to-read chapter books highlight humor and love in a found family of rescue pets. The first book is slated for fall 2023; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the authors, and Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the artist.
Karen Lotz at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights for the picture book I'm in Charge!, which models for children how they can take charge of their bodies, voices, and choices, written by film and TV producer Stephanie Allain (l.) and essayist and former theater, film and publishing executive Jenny Klion (c.), illustrated by Marissa Valdez (r.). Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Albert Lee at UTA represented the authors, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Clarissa Wong at Scholastic has bought world rights to Before the Ships by Maisha Oso (l.), illustrated by Candice Bradley. This picture book celebrates the achievements of Africans centuries before the transatlantic slave trade and how it speaks to the strength and resilience of modern-day Black Americans. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé represented the illustrator, both at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has acquired world rights to This Is the First Book I Will Read to You, a celebration of baby's first story time and the start of a lifetime of reading, written by Francesco Sedita (l.) and illustrated by Magenta Fox. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Claire Wilson at RCW Literary represented the illustrator.
Donna Bray at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story by Anne Wynter (l.), illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey. This spare text is a tribute to Juneteenth and a celebration of both the endurance and joy behind this important holiday. Publication is set for summer 2025; Steve Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House/Margaret Ferguson Books has acquired world rights to Teri Drobnick's (l.) debut picture book, Moving Day!, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt, about an old house being moved to a new neighborhood. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to If You Want to Ride a Horse, written by Amy Novesky (l.) and illustrated by Gael Abary, a picture book that introduces young readers to the joys of riding, caring for, and dreaming about horses. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Faith Takes the Train by debut author Kesi Augustine (l.), illustrated by Mokshini, a picture book about a girl named Faith who chooses kindness as she embarks on a joyful New York City train ride. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Karen Kaller at IllustrationX represented the illustrator.
Jonathan Westmark at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Pumpkins and Promises, a historical fiction debut by National Jewish Book Award winner Nancy Churnin (l.), illustrated by Anneli Brey, about a young 19th-century Irish immigrant who brings her Halloween traditions to America. Publication is set for September 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Becca Langton on behalf of Clare Wallace at Darley Anderson Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Newens at West Margin Press has acquired world rights to Sound Switch Wonder by Christine Ko (l.), illustrated by Katie Crumpton. In this picture book, a deaf boy with cochlear implants and the power to switch sound on and off discovers how to share that ability with his mother, showcasing the beauty of exploring the ways that make us unique. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Stephanie Hansen at Metamorphosis Literary Agency represented the author, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Karen Wojtyla at McElderry Books has acquired Nafiza Azad (l.) and Melody Simpson's Writing in Color: The Lessons We've Learned. The YA anthology will feature essays from BIPOC children's authors reflecting on craft and the lessons learned over the course of their literary careers, with contributions from Julie C. Dao, Joan He, Kosoko Jackson, Adiba Jaigirdar, Darcie Little Badger, Yamile Mendez, Axie Oh, Laura Pohl, Cindy Pon, Karuna Riazi, Gail D. Villanueva, Julian Winters, and Kat Zhang, among others. Publication is set for summer 2023; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management and JL Stermer at Next Level Lit did the deal for North American rights for Azad and Simpson respectively.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has bought, in an exclusive submission, YA novel As Long as We're Together by Brianna Peppins. In the fallout of her parents' tragic death, middle child Novah holds her family together—parenting her younger siblings, corralling the older ones, and running their inherited dog grooming business—while social services monitors the situation closely, threatening to separate the Wilkinson kids for good. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Jas Perry at KT Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Kristin Rens at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired Isi Hendrix's debut middle grade fantasy trilogy Children Who Come and Go. The first book in the series follows 12-year-old Adia, who gets an apprenticeship in the kitchen of the prestigious Academy of Shamans and quickly learns the school has hidden secrets. But so does Adia—and when she learns that a mythological demon has possessed the emperor, she'll need to use her budding magical powers and the help of a snarky goddess to stop the kingdom from falling into ruin. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Peter Knapp at Park & Fine sold North American rights at auction.
Jennifer Ung at HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books has bought, at auction, Noodle and Bao, a middle grade graphic novel by debut author-illustrator Shaina Lu. An ode to Chinatowns everywhere, this book follows one girl's plan to save her community from gentrification when a hip new cafe threatens the livelihood of her favorite humble food cart, with an untitled middle grade graphic novel to follow. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Winsome Bingham at Reycraft has acquired English and Spanish rights to Tanisia "Tee" Moore's Micah Hudson chapter book series. In the first book, due in fall 2023, Micah is having the best summer of his life, one where he has been named MVP of his football team, earning him a signed ball by his NFL idol. But when the ball goes missing, everyone is a suspect, and only Micah, his best friend, and his sisters can crack the case. Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the three-book deal.
Heidi Kilgras at Random House has bought Jackie Huang's leveled reader, Grace's Chinese New Year, for the Step into Reading line, in which a girl celebrates the Chinese New Year with her family, learning old stories and traditions along the way. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Sally Hosokawa at Simon Spotlight has acquired world rights to Go-Cam, a four-book Ready-to-Read series by Margie Palatini (l.) (Piggie Pie), illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (The Longest Storm). Go-Cam shows the world from an animal's point of view via a GoPro-style camera that each animal wears on their heads. The first two books are set for fall 2023, book three for winter 2024, and book four for spring 2024. John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich and Bourret represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Ellen Cormier has bought, in a preempt, world rights to two picture books by Newbery Honor author Kyle Lukoff (l.) (Too Bright to See). Dear Zoe is an epistolary picture book text written as discarded drafts of an apology, illustrated by Julie Kwon (c.); Just What to Do is about how there's no one way to console someone experiencing grief, illustrated by Hala Tahboub (r.). Publication will begin in 2024; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented Lukoff, Hannah Mann at Writers House represented Kwon, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented Tahboub.
Susan Rich at Little, Brown has acquired a picture book by Tasha Spillett-Sumner (l.), the Cree and Trinidadian author of I Sang You Down from the Stars, titled Raven's Ribbons, a story of a child finding self-expression and acceptance through the traditions of round dances and ribbon skirts, illustrated by debut Ojibwe artist Daniel Ramirez. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author and the illustrator, and sold world rights except Canadian English and French, which went to Karen Boersma at Owlkids Books.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has bought world rights to How Mr. Silver Stole the Show by Kate Klise (l.), illustrated by M. Sarah Klise, a picture book based on a true story about a stray kitten who made national headlines in 1947 after wandering into a fancy St. Louis hotel two days before a pedigree cat show and walking away with two blue ribbons. Publication is slated for fall 2023; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired world rights to I Am Somebody, written by Nyasha Williams (l.) and illustrated by Ashley Evans. This picture book teaches readers about the importance of stepping up (and speaking up) to address injustice and effect change within their daily lives. Publication is set for summer 2023; Lary Rosenblatt and Barbara Stewart at 22MediaWorks represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Tara Walker at Tundra has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to I'm Afraid Said the Leaf by Danielle Daniel (l.), illustrated by Matt James. The picture book is an exploration of the natural interdependency present in our ecosystems. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the illustrator.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired, at auction, Emmy Kastner's While You're Asleep, a metafictional picture book that subverts a classic-feeling baby animal bedtime story with some nocturnal critters who have anything but sleep on their minds. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Hannah Mann at Writers House sold world rights.
Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee Books has bought world rights to An Ofrenda for Perro by Judith Valdes B (l.), illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera, a picture book about how a child comes to terms with his beloved dog passing away by celebrating it during Día de los Muertos. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Hilary Harwell at KT Literary represented the author, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrator.
While at Clarion, Harriet Low acquired world rights, with Kate O'Sullivan editing, to Up, Up, Ever Up!: Junko Tabei's Pioneering Everest Climb, a picture book biography of the Japanese climber by Anita Yasuda (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Yuko Shimizu (The Cat Man of Aleppo). The book depicts the determined and humble Junko Tabei as the first woman to climb Everest, scale the world's highest peaks, and protect these sacred spaces, all while inspiring children to reach their dreams, no matter how high they first seem. Publication is set for fall 2024; Lori Steel at Raven Quill Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Follow the Flyway! by Sarah Nelson (l.) (I Like the Weather series), illustrated by Maya Hanisch; Lisa Rosinsky will edit. The story follows 12 bird hatchlings along their first migration journey, from their nests in southern Canada to their wintering grounds in the Gulf of Mexico. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
