Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired Peekaboo, the speculative sophomore YA novel from Charlene Thomas. The tiny town of Peekaboo is firmly divided—with Have-Lots and Have-Nots—and Kady knows all too well which side is hers. But when she meets a stranger at the annual Halloween carnival, Kady gains the power to get everything she wants—until her addiction to perfection uncovers Peekaboo's biggest secret of all. Publication is planned for 2024; Ann Rose at Prospect Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte Press has bought The Society for Soulless Girls by Laura Steven. Pitched as a sapphic retelling of Jekyll & Hyde set at a haunted university, this dark contemporary YA thriller with a supernatural twist follows roommates Lottie and Alice, who must solve an infamous cold case of serial murders on their campus after an arcane soul-splitting ritual gone wrong prompts another death. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Juliette Clark at Farshore sold U.S. rights.
Alexandra Sehulster at Wednesday Books has acquired attorney Jessica Parra's YA debut, Rubi Ramos' Recipe for Success at auction. Described as a cross between A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow and You Have a Match, the novel centers on a high school senior who secretly enters a baking competition, and must navigate the weight of her parents' expectations and a newfound romance, and gather the strength to follow her own path. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Alice Jerman at HarperTeen has bought Lena Jeong's YA fantasy debut, And Break the Pretty Kings. Inspired by the historical Three Kingdoms of Korea, the book follows a crown princess who receives a divine gift—the ability to switch places with her future self—making her a weapon built to destroy an enemy feared by even the gods. But when that enemy kidnaps her brother, she must choose between the fate of the peninsula and those she loves. Publication is set for summer 2023; Holly Root at Root Literary handled the deal for world English rights.
Michelle Frey at Random House/Make Me a World has acquired North American rights to Home Is Not a Country author Safia Elhillo's second YA novel in verse, in an exclusive submission. Bright Red Fruit tells the story of a young poet, feeling trapped within the confines of her loving but strict family, who begins a relationship with a charismatic older poet which gives her everything she thought she wanted—but at what cost? Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency did the deal for publication in fall 2023.
Emily Daluga at Amulet Books has bought literary agent Lee Paige O'Brien's A Hundred Vicious Turns and an untitled sequel in the Broken Tower series, following the nonbinary heir to a powerful magical bloodline with the unsettling ability to find doorways that no one else can see, who finds themself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse at an elite magic university when a malevolent force follows them back through the passages. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media brokered the deal for world English rights.
Mark Siegel at First Second has acquired Overlays by Pénélope Bagieu, a YA graphic memoir that collects stories from the author’s childhood and teen years that paint a portrait of the adult she would become. Robyn Chapman will also edit, and Montana Kane will translate from the French. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Gallimard Jeunesse through Sylvain Coissard Agency sold world English rights.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has bought, in a six-figure preempt, The Improbable Tales of Baskerville Hall by Ali Standish. The middle grade series was developed by Working Partners with the Conan Doyle Estate and pitched as The Mysterious Benedict Society meets The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In the books, a young Arthur Conan Doyle is selected to attend Baskerville Hall, a school for the extraordinarily gifted where Arthur and his new friends (including a young James Moriarty) are invited into a powerful secret society; they must pass three tests to be accepted, but along the way, Arthur uncovers a mystery that will lead to grand adventure, and even greater danger. Publication for the first book is set for fall 2023; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency negotiated the three-book deal on behalf of Working Partners for North American rights.
Kate Harrison at Dial has acquired Christopher Lincoln's graphic novel, The Night Librarian, in a mid-six figure preempt. Pitched as Night at the Museum at the New York Public Library, it's about a brother and sister swept into an epic adventure with a mysterious Night Librarian (and some famous characters breaking free from classic books) as they battle literature's most dangerous villains to save their beloved library from destruction. Publication is set for spring 2024; Daniel Lazar at Writers House brokered the deal for North American rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought middle grade novel Sweetness All Around by Suzanne Supplee (When Irish Guys Are Smiling). Set in 1974 Tennessee, almost-11-year-old Josephine is not pleased to be moving into the dingy Happy World trailer park with her mother. But as Josephine grows unexpectedly attached to her new neighbors, she gets wrapped up in the mystery of a local kidnapped girl. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown, Ltd. did the deal for world English rights.
Alison Weiss at Pixel+Ink has acquired middle grade adventure The Sinister Secrets of Singe by Sean Ferrell (I Don't Like Koala; The Snurtch) and a second title in the series, in which a boy raised in isolation with only a robot boy for company, embarks on a quest across the sea to find his exiled father, only to lure trouble back home. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Alec Shane at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Stephanie Guerdan at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Camp Scream by debut author Sarah C. Yung (l.), a chapter book series about two human kids at a summer camp for monsters and cryptids. Book one will be illustrated by Kelsey Eng (c.), and the remaining books will be illustrated by Laan Cham (r.). Publication is tentatively scheduled for summer 2024; the author represented herself, Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary represented Eng, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black represented Cham.
David Saylor and Jonah Newman at Graphix have acquired world graphic novel rights to Marcia Thornton Jones (l.) and Debbie Dadey's (c.) Bailey School Kids series titles, Ghosts Don't Eat Potato Chips and Dragons Don't Cook Pizza, which will be adapted into graphic novels by Angeli Rafer (r.). The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series, with more than 30 million titles sold to date, is one of Scholastic's top-selling series of all time. The books are set for summer 2023 and spring 2024; Marie Lamba at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the authors, and Rafer represented herself.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought Home in a Lunchbox by debut author-illustrator Cherry Mo in a six-house auction. This picture book tells the story of Jun, who experiences frustration and helplessness when she moves from Hong Kong to America and cannot speak English; food from home offers solace and connection with her new classmates. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr. did the six-figure deal for world rights.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Solar Bear by Beth Ferry (l.), illustrated by Brendan Wenzel, a call to action about the dangers of climate change and its devastating effects on endangered species. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Denene Millner at S&S/Denene Millner Books has bought world rights to Not My Cat by Stacey Patton (l.), illustrated by Acamy Schleikorn. Based on the author's real-life story that went viral on social media, the book is about Staceypants and the unlikely friend she makes in the cat that visits her every day—who is definitely not her cat, even though she provides it with food, water, and a home. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Victoria Sanders at Victoria Sanders and Associates represented the author, and Claire Easton Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores while at Chronicle acquired world rights to The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan author Kristen Mai Giang's (l.) picture book biography Michelle the First: How Action Hero Michelle Yeoh Danced, Acted, and Dreamed Her Own Path, illustrated by Kuri Huang. This true story follows the rise of the Malaysian Chinese movie star from the ballet stage, to the action-packed sets of Hong Kong, to the dazzling lights of Hollywood, as she broke new ground while staying true to her creative self—even, and especially, in situations where she found she was the "only one." Publication is set for spring 2025; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Sally Heflin at Heflinreps represented the illustrator.
Howard W. Reeves at Abrams has bought world rights to A Poem for Dudley Randall, written by Don Tate (l.) and illustrated by Laura Freeman, a picture book biography in verse about Dudley Randall, a poet, poetry publisher, and leader in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Janet DeCarlo at Storybook Arts represented the illustrator.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has acquired world rights to Pies from Nowhere author Dee Romito's (l.) Love Is in the Air, illustrated by Vivian Mineker. It tells the story of aviation pioneer Nancy Love, who organized and directed the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron during WWII, the first women to fly military aircraft for the U.S. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Uwe Stender at Triada US represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to Hiding in Plain Sight: Kate Warne and the Race to Save President Lincoln by Beth Anderson (l.), illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, a nonfiction picture book about the Pinkerton detective's role in saving Lincoln's life before his first inauguration. Publication is set for spring 2025; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Tamara Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Sarah Monroe at Page Street Kids has acquired 108 Fun Yoga Poses for Kids by Lauren Chaitoff, founder of children's yoga and wellness brand Yogi Beans. The book is designed to teach children how to practice popular yoga poses; publication is slated for spring 2023. Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Kaia's Big Felines by Aura Lewis. Kaia relates the big feelings she faces in everyday life to various species of cats. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the author-illustrator.
Nicole Fiorica at McElderry Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Reunion by Kit Frick (I Killed Zoe Spanos; Very Bad People). Pitched in the vein of The White Lotus and set at a luxurious Caribbean resort, the YA mystery follows four teens on a family vacation, where too much enforced fun dredges up long-held grudges and dangerous secrets—and before the week is over, one member of the reunion party will be dead. Publication is tentatively set for fall 2023; Erin Harris at Folio Literary Management brokered the deal for world English rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte Press has bought Wild About You and a second untitled novel by Love from Scratch author Kaitlyn Hill (no relation). In this grumpy-sunshine YA romance, indoorsy theater girl Natalie must team up with surly nature-lover Finn in an Amazing Race-style reality competition show set in the Appalachian wilderness that could earn them a huge college scholarship—if they don't kill (or kiss) each other first. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Nicole Ellul at Simon & Schuster has acquired Deborah Crossland's The Quiet Part Out Loud, a contemporary dual-POV YA novel set in a devastated, post-earthquake San Francisco following Mia, who finds herself racing across the rubble to find the ex she still loves before the rest of the city crumbles, taking one—or both—of them with it. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Mollie Glick at CAA negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to Long Time Coming: The Ona Judge to Barack Obama Chronicles by Ray A. Shepard (l.) (The Runaway; Now or Never), illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. This YA collection of creative nonfiction biographies in verse captures the struggles of African Americans over the course of U.S. history. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Jen Besser and Luisa Beguiristaín at Roaring Brook and Sam Smith at Macmillan Children's UK have jointly acquired at auction middle grade fantasy Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna (the Kiki Kallira duology). Pitched as Amari and the Night Brothers meets Nevermoor with a touch of How to Train Your Dragon, the story follows a neurodivergent British Indian girl who is swept away to a magical school where she trains to become a monster hunter and learns to fully embrace her different and wonderful brain. Publication is set for spring 2024; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management brokered the two-book, mid-six-figure deal for world rights.
Bunmi Ishola at WaterBrook Multnomah has bought world rights to two middle grade novels by Her Own Two Feet co-author Meredith Davis. The first book, Minor Miracle, centers on 12-year-old Noah Minor who mysteriously survived a 16-story fall as a baby the night before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Years later he learns he can manipulate gravity, and has to choose who to trust: a secret government agency, or their most wanted, who happens to be his uncle. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Birch Path Literary did the deal.
Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to author of the Caldecott-winning We Are Water Protectors Carole Lindstrom's debut middle grade novel, as yet untitled. This historical story features life on the prairie from the perspective of Rose, a Metis girl who assists as a spy against the government in order to save her people's land and way of life. A second historical novel was also signed; publication is scheduled for 2024 and 2025. Natascha Morris and Sarah Fisk at the Tobias Literary Agency handled the deal.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has bought The Mighty Bite, a new middle grade graphic novel by Nathan Hale. Pitched for fans of Dog Man and The InvestiGators, it follows a determined trilobite and a band of creatures across the evolutionary spectrum as they compete in a streaming video competition. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired at auction, Amy Noelle Parks' (Summer of Brave) contemporary middle grade novel Averil Frye Has Left the Building. Twelve-year-old Averil has had enough of her parents using a surveillance app to track every detail of her life, so she teams up with a new friend to stop the app's creator from making it even more powerful. Publication is set for spring 2024; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency brokered the deal for North American English rights.
Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Wings to Soar, a middle-grade novel in verse by Tina Athaide (Orange for the Sunsets). In the novel, Viva's Indian family has been expelled from Uganda and sent to a resettlement camp in England, where she and her mother and sister must wait for their father to join them. There, a determined Viva forges a community of her own while struggling with the prejudice of those around her. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency handled the deal.
Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has acquired world rights to Deborah Underwood's (l.) two untitled early graphic novels in a series in which a hardboiled rat-fairy fixer and his mouse sidekick set well-known fairy tales to rights after they come off the rails, illustrated by Jorge Lacera. Publication will start in winter 2025; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and John Cusick at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Michael Buckley at PowKids! has bought The Big Wig Parade by author-illustrator Bryan Ballinger, a picture book about accepting others who are different, standing up for yourself, and the hidden benefits of mange. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency sold world English rights.
Philippe Werck at Clavis Publishing has acquired world rights to Beth and Cloud Won't Change by Ciara Gavin, the story of a small cloud who wanders into Beth's house and discovers he likes being an inside cloud, and Beth, who is starting school and not feeling quite ready. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Anna Olswanger of Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Joanna Cárdenas at Kokila has bought world rights to Sunshine Cadillac by R.J. Owens (l.), illustrated by Rahmaan Statik. Set during the Bud Billiken Parade that happens every August in Chicago, the picture book follows a father and son as they prep their Cadillac for the parade route, while the energy of the parade and the encouragement of his community help the boy move through his end-of-summer blues and get him excited about the new school year. Publication is planned for summer 2024. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond has acquired world rights for Under Anna's Umbrella by Amanda Driscoll (l.), illustrated by Luisa Uribe. Anna uses her umbrella to protect her from her grief. But umbrellas also block the sunshine, and with time, healing and help from a friend, Anna learns to lower her umbrella, see the sun and maybe even a rainbow. It's scheduled for spring 2025; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Sylvie Frank at Disney Hyperion has bought, at auction, world rights to Iggy Who Breathes Fire by Carrie Kruck (l.), illustrated by Erika Meza, a picture book about an ordinary girl with an extraordinary condition, in a magical twist on girl power and a reminder to us all to treasure the fire within. The first book is slated for summer 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency did the two-book deal for the author, and Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey Ltd. represented the illustrator.
Erika DiPasquale at HarperCollins has acquired world English rights to Navya Sings for Navarathri by Lakshmi Thamizhmani (l.), illustrated by Avani Dwivedi. In this picture book, an Indian American girl named Navya is empowered to overcome her stage fright while celebrating Navarathri with her female relatives. Publication is set for summer 2024; Sharon Belcastro at the Belcastro Agency represented the author, and Shadra Strickland at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought world rights to Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons by Laura Purdie Salas (l.), illustrated by Alexandra Neonakis. The nonfiction picture book tells the story of an orphaned mallard duckling raised by a pair of loons on a Wisconsin lake, based on observations from loon researchers. Publication is planned for spring 2023; the author represented herself, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to A Name for Sister by Charlotte Cheng (l.), illustrated by Sophie Diao (I Am Golden), a picture book inspired by a centuries-old naming custom and explores how five elemental spirits help a girl and her family find the perfect name for her new baby sister. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Chris Krones at Clarion has bought an as-yet-untitled book by Shelley Rotner (l.) and Gwen Agna, with photography by Rotner. The book features the words and portraits of refugee children from around the world as they talk about their families and tell their stories, expressing love, joy, empathy, and resilience as they adjust to their new homes. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has acquired world rights to My Love for You by Lisa Varchol Perron (l.), illustrated by Sheryl Murray, a board book with a beachy setting that reassures a child that although all things change or come to an end, a parent's love lasts forever. Publication is set for summer 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author. and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Emma Parkin at Barefoot Books has bought Twice as Many Friends/El doble de amigos, written by Brian Amador (l.) with audio version sung and performed by Sol y Canto, to be illustrated by Vanina Starkoff (From My Window). Emma Parkin and Bree Reyes will edit. This bilingual singalong shows why learning two languages can be so much better than one. Publication is planned for spring 2023; the author and illustrator represented themselves in the deal for world rights.
