Foyinsi Adegbonmire at Feiwel and Friends has acquired the YA novel Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Ace of Spades), pitched as "Mean Girls but with murder." After being homeschooled all her life, Sade begins her third year at a prestigious boarding school and when her roommate goes missing, some suspect Sade, drawing the attention of the school's three 'It' girls. While investigating, Sade discovers there are a lot more secrets from the school and its students than she realized. Publication is set for spring 2023; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency sold North American rights on behalf of Zoë Plant.
Kelsey Murphy at Viking has bought North American rights to Adam Sass's YA thriller Your Lonely Nights Are Over, a darkly comedic slasher pitched as Scream meets Clueless in which two gay teen BFFs find their friendship tested when one of them is accused of being the mysterious killer who has been stalking their school's Queer Club. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Eric Smith at P.S. Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Ida, in Trouble and in Love, a YA historical novel about Ida B. Wells, and a second untitled book about Josephine Baker, by New York Times journalist Veronica Chambers. Both books will capture the lives and times of these exceptional women. Publication for Ida is scheduled for summer 2024, with the second title publishing in summer 2025; Kim Witherspoon at Inkwell Management represented the author.
Gabriela M. Taboas Zayas at Penguin Workshop has acquired, in an exclusive submission, two books in the new YA Holly Horror series by Michelle Jabès Corpora, in association with Cloudco Entertainment. The first book follows a girl to a new home known by locals as the Horror House, where a teen mysteriously vanished without trace many years ago, and she begins to be haunted by a terrifying bonneted specter. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio sold world rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street has bought Being Ace, a YA anthology edited by Madeline Dyer, including short stories and poetry in multiple genres from contemporary to fantasy to science fiction that celebrate and explore the sub-identities of the asexual spectrum from a mixture of established and emerging YA writers. Contributors include Akemi Dawn Bowman, Lara Ameen, Rosiee Thor, Moniza Hossain, Linsey Miller, Ayida Shonibar, and Kat Yuen, among others. Publication is set for fall 2023; Erin Clyburn did the deal for world rights while at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has acquired Wild Poppies by Haya Saleh (l.), winner of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature. The upper middle grade novel follows two brothers who are Syrian refugees; Sufyan is kidnapped and made into a child soldier, leaving bookish Oscar to rescue his brother and reunite his family. Marcia Lynx Qualey will translate from the original Arabic; publication is scheduled for spring 2023. Hadil Miqdadi at Dar al-Yasmine sold world English, Dutch, and North American Spanish rights.
Emily Seife at Graphix has bought North American rights to debut middle grade graphic novel Shiny Misfits, written by comedian, actress, and disability advocate Maysoon Zayid (l.) and illustrated by Shadia Amin (Aggretsuko; Spider-Ham). After the boy of her dreams becomes a viral sensation for catching her as she's falling, Bay Ann Musa, a disabled 11-year-old, sets off on a quest for superstardom on her own terms. Publication is slated for 2023; Janine Kamouh at WME represented the author, and Jennifer Azantian at Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency represented the artist.
Phoebe Yeh at Crown has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Fart Boy and an untitled sequel, a graphic novel series launch by Joan Holub, illustrated by Rafael Rosado. Phartholomew Normal aka Fart Boy (the stinkiest hero around) must rise to the occasion when Professor Groovypants threatens world domination. The titles are planned for spring 2024 and spring 2025; Liza Voges at Eden Street represented the author, and Tanya McKinnon at McKinnon Literary represented the illustrator.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought the first three titles in Dave Roman's (Astronaut Academy) middle grade graphic novel series Unicorn Boy; Steve Foxe will edit. The series features Brian, a very ordinary boy, who to his dismay sprouts an extraordinary unicorn horn overnight. With the help of best friend Avery, he discovers that being Unicorn Boy comes with magical power that can help those in need. Publication will start in fall 2023; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt negotiated the deal for world rights.
Camille Kellogg at Bloomsbury has acquired Emma & the Love Spell by debut middle grade author Meredith Ireland (The Jasmine Project; Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller), pitched as a queer witchy The Parent Trap, about 12-year-old adoptee Emma who tries to use her fickle magical powers to keep the parents of her best friend (and long-time crush) together so she won't have to move away. Publication is set for winter 2024; Stephanie Kim at New Leaf & Media did the two-book deal for world rights.
Lily Kessinger at Clarion has bought The Biltmore Mystery by Deron Hicks (The Van Gogh Deception), a middle grade mystery set during WWII, which follows a 12-year-old boy who encounters spies, dark forests, hidden tunnels, enemy saboteurs, famous artists, and a long-dead U.S. president in his quest to solve the mystery of the famous Biltmore Mansion. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Rebecca Taylor at Wonderbound has acquired world rights to middle grade graphic novel Lone by Angie Hewitt. In this fantasy, a soon-to-be eighth grader Alma makes a disturbing discovery: the lake her town is named for has disappeared, along with everyone's remembrance of it having ever existed. With her best friend's help, Alma investigates the mystery, because more than just the lake has vanished; and now Alma worries: is she the cause of these mass disappearances? Publication is slated for summer 2023; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Kristin Rens at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought Amy Cherrix's Virus Hunters: The Quest to Protect People from Deadly Outbreaks and Pandemics. This work of middle grade nonfiction spotlights history's most notorious viral hot zones, introducing readers to the virus hunters and elite investigators of CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service as they combine state-of-the-art science with boots-on-the-ground detective work to investigate these deadly outbreaks and save lives. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad's (l.) and Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali's (c.) The Kindest Red and The Boldest White, illustrated by Hatem Aly (r.). Each book shows another experience in the lives of hijabi sisters Faizah and Asiya, as their love for and pride in each other, their faith, and their community guides them through new challenges and joys. Publication is set for winter 2023 and summer 2024; Greg Ferguson at 3BlackDot and Lindsay Kagawa Colas at Wasserman Media Group represented Muhammad, John Cusick at Folio Literary Management represented Ali (currently represented by Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties), and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented Aly.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has bought North American rights to Prince Bedhead by Taye Diggs (l.) (Why? A Conversation About Race) and Shannon Stoeke (c.), illustrated by Abelle Hayford (r.) (#drawingwhileblack), a picture book about a young prince whose royal crown will not stay put on his amazing hair. With a little ingenuity and a lot of trial-and-error, he crafts a crown that's just right. Publication is scheduled for winter 2024.; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners represented the authors, and Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented the illustrator.
Courtney Code at Abrams has acquired A Place Called America: A Story of the Land and People by author-illustrator Jennifer Thermes (Horse Power; Manhattan). The picture book explores how the U.S.A. came to be, told through maps, including stories of the many people who have lived upon the land from before the time of its earliest inhabitants to today. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought Some of These Are Snails, a concept picture book exploring sorting, comparatives, and quantifiers that teases the brain, twists expectations, and teaches basic concepts in unusual ways, written and illustrated by Carter Higgins. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content brokered the deal for world rights.
Michelle Lee at Dial has acquired world rights to Things That Go Bump in the Day by Melinda Beatty (l.), illustrated by Charlene Chua. Instead of being afraid of the dark like most kids, little vampire Vlad finds himself afraid of all the daytime noises that keep him (and his mother) from getting a good day's rest. It will publish in summer 2024; Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Andy Lopez Soberano at Scholastic has bought world rights to Otter Oughta Know by Karyn Friedman-Everham (l.), illustrated by Michael Robertson, a picture book about two natural enemies, an otter and a gator, that meet in the water with an unexpected result. Publication is set for spring 2024; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Piper Smith at the Lindgren Smith Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to My Name Is Long as a River by Suma Subramaniam (l.), illustrated by Tara Anand. The picture book follows young Kaveri—who insists on a nickname—as she and her Paati take a journey along the Kaveri River. As they travel, stories of how Kaveri got her long name unfold, deepening her understanding of who she is. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Michelle Frey at Knopf has bought world rights to Great Lakes: The Story of a Freshwater Treasure by Barb Rosenstock (l.), illustrated by Jamey Christoph, a picture book about the creation, currents and creatures of the Great Lakes water system, North America's most valuable resource. It's scheduled for spring 2024; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Patricia Lindgren at Lindgren & Smith represented the artist.
Kayla Tostevin at Page Street Kids has acquired world English rights to Kadooboo!: A Silly South Indian Folktale by Shruthi Rao (l.), illustrated by Darshika Varma, a retelling in which a boy's encounters on his journey home scramble the name of the food he's carrying. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Amanda Hendon at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Maria Dismondy and Adam Blackman at Cardinal Rule have bought world rights to Hide and Shhh: A Not-So-Sneaky Story About Inclusion by Christina Dendy (l.), illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama. After waiting all week to play with her big sister, a girl with Down syndrome is banished from the older kids’ game, then shows everybody a new way to play. Publication is set for spring 2023; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Anne Heltzel at Amulet has acquired Sajni Patel's new YA rom-com, Sleepless in Dubai. The story follows two feuding neighbors and ex-best friends who are forced to make nice on a family trip to Dubai during the five days of Diwali, only to discover that their complicated feelings run much deeper than friendship. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Lisa Bonvissuto at Wednesday Books has bought The Rules of Royalty, the solo debut YA rom-com by Cale Dietrich (co-author of If This Gets Out) in which the reluctant "spare" prince of a small country agrees to show the royal ropes to the American-raised prince of a neighboring nation, becoming friends as they navigate the press, a royal wedding, and finding out what they each want, all while falling in love. Publication is set for summer 2024; Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree has acquired, in a two-book deal, in a preempt, debut author Carolina Ixta's YA novel, If You Really Knew About It, a look at the lives of two Latina girls growing up in East Oakland, as they discover that the world is brimming with messy complexities. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street has bought Damned If You Do by Alex Brown, pitched as a queer Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a touch of Filipino folklore. The book follows high school stage manager Cordelia Scott as she learns that she may have accidentally sold her soul to a demon, and now she must help him neutralize a demonic rival or risk spending eternity in Hell—all while navigating a disastrous Tech Week, her feelings for her best friend (who might be a monster), and way too many pop quizzes. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Hannah Fergesen at KT Literary handled the deal for world English rights.
Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has acquired Victoria Evans's debut, The History of Everything. The graphic novel tells the story of two best friends who decide to tackle everything on their friendship bucket list during their last summer together before one has to move across the country—only for a boy to complicate their plans (and their friendship). Publication is scheduled for 2024; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought the next middle grade novel from Jamie Sumner, author of the acclaimed Roll with It. A novel in verse told over the course of six hours, Deep Water chronicles 11-year-old Tully's attempt to swim across Lake Tahoe after a heartbreaking loss and become the youngest person to complete the famous "Godfather swim." But when things take a dangerous turn, she must choose: safety or a win that could change everything. The book is tentatively set for spring 2024; Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary sold world rights.
Erinn Pascal at Andrews McMeel has acquired world English rights to Liza N. Cooper's debut children's graphic novel Meems & Feefs: Ferrets from Planet Ferretonia! in a three-book deal. Based on the popular Siberian Lizard comic, two young ferrets carry out a series of experiments that go awry and are transported from their home planet to Earth, where they meet a shy human girl and recruit her on a quest to get back home. Publication for the first book is planned for spring 2023; Kathleen Ortiz at KO Media Management did the deal while at New Leaf Literary & Media.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has bought Shared Space, a picture book by author-illustrator Maddie Frost, in which Mouse and Pak-Rat may not share the same habits, but they'll need to learn to be neighborly, in a story about sharing and compromises, for publication in winter 2024; Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus Ink has acquired world rights to The Glorious Forest That Fire Built by author-illustrator Ginny Neil, a cumulative picture book about forest succession. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Lisa Amstutz at Storm Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Nicole Frail at Skyhorse/Sky Pony has bought world rights to Fairies Don't Fight by author-illustrator Courtney Pippin-Mathur (Happy Diwali!). In this picture book, sibling rivalry affects even the most luminous and shows that even fairies don't always get along, but they always make up. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency did the deal.
Allyn Johnston at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Pasta Pasta Lotsa Pasta, a picture book by Aimee Lucido (l.), illustrated by Mavisu Demirağ, about a big Italian family dinner where each surprise guest has a favorite delicious pasta dish, but no one can agree on which to serve until an unexpected solution falls into their laps. Publication is set for summer 2024; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Beste Bal at Kovan Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Stokes at Owl Kids has bought world rights to Katrina Hyena by Sophie Kohn (l.), illustrated by Aparna Varma (Pig's Big Feelings), a first reader about a spotted hyena who aspires to be a stand-up comedian to help her stressed-out clan appreciate the funny things in life. Publication is planned for spring 2024; the author represented herself, and Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has acquired world rights to Duck, Duck, Taco Truck by Laura Lavoie (l.), illustrated by Teresa Martinez. In this summer-themed picture book, it's ducks vs. geese in a beachside food truck showdown. Publication is slated for summer 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Kate Kendrick at Astound represented the illustrator.
Eve Adler while at Union Square Kids bought world rights to Dear Mr. G by Christine Evans (l.), illustrated by Gracey Zhang. The picture book, about an intergenerational friendship between a young child and their neighbor, is told through a series of letters; Esther Cajahuaringa will edit. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Naomi Kirsten at Chronicle Books has acquired world rights to Merry Christmas, Zoo! by Lola Schaefer (l.) and Lisa Eickholdt (c.), illustrated by Laura Watkins (r.), a picture book celebrating how zoos bring the holiday spirit to their animals in festive and engaging ways. Publication is set for fall 2024; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to The Quest for a Tangram Dragon by Christine Liu-Perkins (l.), illustrated by Lynn Scurfield. In this picture book, seven classic tangram shapes search for a Chinese dragon to bring rain; eventually they discover that, by working together, they can become the dragon. Publication is planned for spring 2024; the author represented herself, and Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the illustrator.
Alison Weiss at Pixel + Ink has bought world rights to the first two books in the Recess Genius series by Janet Sumner Johnson (l.) illustrated by Stacy Ebert, in which a pint-sized crisis manager with an office at the top of a jungle gym uses out-of-the-box thinking to solve the problems her schoolmates bring to her. The first book will publish in spring 2023; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency represented the author, and Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Michelle Meadows's (l.) Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues, a picture book biography about beloved writer and artist James Baldwin, illustrated by Jamiel Law. The biography tells the story of how Baldwin captured his own and the nation's electrifying voices through the written word. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to Call Me Roberto by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso (l.), a picture book biography of Afro-Puerto Rican baseball legend Roberto Clemente that explores Clemente's role in the battle for racial and ethnic justice in professional baseball. Caldecott and Pura Belpré Honor recipient Rudy Gutiérrez (Double Bass Blues) will illustrate. Publication is set for fall 2024; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary represented the author, and Edward Necarsulmer IV at Dunow, Carlson & Lerner represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to I, Ship by debut author Kelly Rice Schmitt (l.), illustrated by Jam Dong. Narrated by a container ship, this picture book takes readers on a journey across the seas while introducing key concepts related to international shipping and trade. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Shadra Strickland at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought world rights to Too Much! written by Jolene Gutiérrez (l.), illustrated by Angel Chang. Told in rhyming text, this picture book explores sensory processing disorder through the eyes of a child on a day when things are just too much—too loud, too bright, too overwhelming. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Kaitlyn at Context Literary Agency represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Nivair Gabriel at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to Anzu and the Art of Friendship by Moni Ritchie Hadley (l.), illustrated by Nathalia Takeyama, a picture book about a new girl in town who discovers that the practices of origami folding are also the steps necessary for making friends. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Jill Davis at Astra/Hippo Park has bought Itty Bitty Betty Blob and the Picture Day Disaster by Constance Lombardo (l.), illustrated by Micah Player. In this picture book about discovering one's own path, it's picture day at Monster School and as much as her mother and teachers want her to, Betty doesn't want to growl for the camera. Publication is set for fall 2023; Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the author and the illustrator for world rights.
Molly Yao Shen at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to Paul Many's (l.) My Breathing Earth, a picture book that follows a girl and her little sister through their day as they experience the air around them—the "Earth's Breath"—flowing through their family. Tisha Lee will illustrate; publication is scheduled for spring 2023 in the U.S. and mainland China. The author represented himself, and Lilla Rogers Studio represented the illustrator.
