Julia Patrick at VIZ Media has acquired, in a four-book deal, Graveweaver's YA graphic novel series, I'm the Grim Reaper, based on the webcomic of the same name, in which a girl named Scarlet dies and makes a Faustian bargain to become a grim reaper and deliver souls to the underworld. Publication of the first book is scheduled for 2024; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams has bought Emily Riesbeck (l.) and Bayleigh Underwood's Lucky 555, a queer sci-fi YA graphic novel pitched as The Expanse meets Paper Girls, in a two-book deal. As the citizens of the Sky resign themselves to a slow, miserable decline, self-centered orphan Dyme meets a stowaway android named Five. Behind the abundant curiosity, Five is hiding a secret that could turn the Sky upside down, but her wealthy and domineering father won't let her—or his secret—go that easily. Publication of volume one is slated for spring 2024; Claire Draper at the Bent Agency did the deal for world rights.
Kristie Choi at Atheneum has acquired at auction A Suffragist's Guide to the Antarctic, a YA historical novel by Thurber Prize semifinalist Yi Shun Lai, pitched as A Lady's Guide to Petticoats & Piracy meets Ernest Shackleton. Clara lies about her age and her citizenship to land a coveted spot on an Antarctic expedition with an eccentric British expedition leader. But when the crew is marooned on an ice floe, Clara's self-propelled mission to advance the women's suffrage movement takes a back seat to survival. Publication is set for spring 2024; Kate Testerman at KT Literary sold world English rights.
Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has bought Emily Thomas's debut graphic novel A Smile Like Yours. This queer YA graphic novel follows Rhys Moore, a university freshman with developmental prosopagnosia, as he navigates his new collegiate life, friendship and even a romance with a cute roommate. Publication is planned for 2025; Lillian Mazeika at Tugeau 2 sold world rights.
Stephanie Lurie at Disney/Rick Riordan Presents has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Spirit Mirror by Roshani Chokshi (Aru Shah and the End of Time), a middle grade novel pitched in the vein of The Graveyard Book with Filipino mythology, about an orphaned girl who is descended from babaylans (mystical healers and spirit guides), and who upon her 11th birthday must learn to harness her powers in order to bring her ghost parents back to life. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Thao Le at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought North American rights to Coyote Queen by Jessica Vitalis (The Wolf's Curse), about a girl who enters a Wyoming beauty pageant desperate for the prize money to escape her abusive stepfather, only to learn she is changing into a coyote. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties handled the two-book deal.
Ardi Alspach at Union Square Kids has acquired, at auction, in a six-figure, two-book deal, Kate Saxton's debut middle grade mystery novel The A&A Detective Agency and the Fairfleet Affair, in which two 12-year-old aspiring detectives receive a letter written by missing millionaire—and their agency's only customer—Dr. Alexander Fairfleet, asking them to decipher a series of complicated clues and puzzles to discover his whereabouts. Publication is set for fall 2023 and fall 2024; Erin Clyburn at Howland Literary sold world rights.
Elizabeth Agyemang at Clarion has acquired world rights to Lucky Duck, a middle-grade novel by Chris Kurtz (The Adventures of a South Pole Pig; The Pup Who Cried Wolf). The animal adventure features Frank, the odd one out in a family of ducks, who must save his home from an invading fox even if it means venturing into the dangerous forest. Publication is scheduled for winter 2024; Marie Lamba at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Whitney Moran at Nimbus has bought world English rights to Sidura Ludwig's historical middle grade novel-in-verse, Swan, which re-imagines the trials and tribulations of 12-year-old Anna Swan, a girl from rural Nova Scotia in the mid-1800s, who grew to be the "Giantess of Nova Scotia" at almost eight feet tall (and eventually went on to work for P.T. Barnum at his American Museum in New York City). Publication is slated for fall 2024; Jacqui Lipton at the Tobias Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Allyn Johnston at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Ame Dyckman's (l.) Bat, Cat, and Rat early reader series, illustrated by Mark Teague. In each book containing three-and-a-half related stories, the very different titular roommates—playful Bat, practical Cat, and prankster Rat—navigate life together in their cozy home and beyond. Book one is set for spring 2024, and book two is set for summer 2024; Scott Treimel at Scott Treimel NY represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Erica Finkel at Abrams has bought world rights, in a three-book deal, the Seashell Key young chapter book series by Lourdes Heuer (l.), illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao, about a group of children living in a seaside community. Publication of book one, which follows the friends as they welcome summer visitors to their coral island, is planned for spring 2024. Kelly Sonnack and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator, respectively.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has bought debut author-illustrator Melisa Fernández Nitsche's picture book Cantora: Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America. Mercedes Sosa, an Argentinian icon, used her voice to sing out against the injustices she witnessed occurring in Latin America and became the voice of a people, from exile to triumph. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Chad W. Beckerman of the CAT Agency negotiated sold world rights.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Violet and the Frost King, written by the late Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton (l.) and her son, Jaime Adoff (c.), illustrated by CSK John Steptoe New Talent award winner April Harrison (r.). Violet the fairy is determined to save her kingdom from the villainous Frost King in this adaptation of a classic fairy tale by Louisa May Alcott. Publication is planned for winter 2025; Adoff negotiated the deal on behalf of Hamilton's estate, and Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Stacey Barney at Putnam/Paulsen has bought world rights to Irene Latham (l.) and Dahlia Constantine's (c.) A Good Morning for Giddo, illustrated by Basma Hosam (r.). An Egyptian girl with a secret shares a magical morning with her grandfather at the Old Cairo market as they encounter artisans who create ancient arts like calligraphy, abalone inlay, and the glorious textiles by the Tentmakers of Cairo in this celebration of family, community, art and culture. It's set for spring 2025; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the authors, and Sarah Dillard at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Kait Feldmann at Clarion is editing Catherine Onder's world rights acquisition of Jean Reagan's (l.) Turbo's Special Delivery, a picture book about a truck who loves to go fast and has to learn to be patient when a special delivery requires a slow roll and a cautious drive to ensure the mystery cargo arrives in one piece. Eduardo Marticorena will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2023. Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to Space for Everyone by Seina Wedlick (l.). illustrated by Camilla Sucre. The picture book follows a girl and her family as they prepare to move homes while still partaking in their daily and weekly rituals around the family table, which always has enough space for everyone who comes over. But will all these rituals feel the same in a new house? Publication is slated for 2025; Alice Fugate at the Joy Harris Literary Agency represented the author, and Helen Boyle at Pickled Ink represented the illustrator.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought world rights to Tamales for Christmas by Stephen Briseño (l.), inspired by his grandmother's Christmas tradition of making and selling tamales (as many as 12,000 in one season) to afford presents. Sonia Sánchez will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2024. Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Agency represented the author, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the illustrator.
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired You Are (Ode to a Big Kid) by Tameka Fryer Brown (l.), illustrated by Allaenna Harris, a picture book celebrating a child's burgeoning independence, with a subtle nod to the Toni Morrison quote, "You are your own best thing." Publication is set for fall 2024; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Ella Russell at Owlkids Books has bought world rights to The Little Regent, written by Yewande Daniel-Ayoade (l.) and illustrated by Ken Daley. The picture book tells a story about the Yoruba tribe of West Africa and their tradition of regency—female leaders who temporarily hold power after a king dies, until kingmakers choose a new king—and a princess who upends this tradition. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has acquired world rights to Sense of Play by Dana Meachen Rau (l.), illustrated by Doruntina Beqiraj. The picture book captures a simple, joyful day between siblings celebrating the senses beyond sight—the sounds, smells, tastes, and textures that make playing together so much fun. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Jacqueline Lipton represented the author while at Raven Quill Literary Agency, and Lillian Mazeika at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Margot Blankier at Tundra Books has bought world rights to Métis Like Me by debut author Tasha Hilderman (l.), illustrated by Risa Hugo, as well as an untitled picture book by Hilderman. This picture book celebrates Métis culture and heritage from different children's perspectives. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Sarah Fell at Magination Press has acquired world rights to Dad and Daddy's Big, Big Family by Seamus Kirst (l.) (Papa, Daddy and Riley), illustrated by Karen Bunting, a picture book about a girl who goes to her father's family reunion and learns that every family is connected by love. Publication is set for spring 2023; Kevin O'Connor at O'Connor Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Meriam Metoui at Viking has bought Umami, a picture book written and illustrated by Jacob Grant. Umami the penguin is sick of eating cold fish for every meal, and sets out to the big city to explore new culinary pleasures. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency sold world English rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Nature's Rule Breakers: Creatures That Don't Fit In by Jessica Fries-Gaither, a photographic guide to animals that defy the usual scientific categories—warm-blooded or cold-blooded, diurnal or nocturnal, and much more. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author.
Rebecca Kuss at Disney-Hyperion has acquired Last Hellos and First Goodbyes by Elba Luz, a debut YA rom-com about bisexual perfectionist Alany Delgado, whose vow to put her tragic past behind her and go to college loan-free comes to a screeching halt when her ex-childhood best friend shows up on the same scholarship contest-circuit as her, dredging up old memories (as well as new feelings) that threaten to disrupt her future, her relationship, and her carefully curated life plan. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Lydia Gregovic at Delacorte has bought, in an exclusive submission, Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith (Those We Drown), a YA speculative horror novel pitched as Gossip Girl meets The Turn of the Screw. After a disastrous accident at her school's Midsummer Ball leads to a teen girl's suspension, she agrees to attend a Halloween party at her old friends' ancestral home in Ireland in order to make amends, only to discover that the estate has a sordid past of its own. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Claire Friedman at Inkwell Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Stacey Barney at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired, at auction, debut contemporary YA novel True True by Don P. Hooper. The story follows 17-year-old Gil as he transfers from the public school in his predominately Caribbean neighborhood in Brooklyn to an elite, primarily white private school in Manhattan. As Gil struggles to fit in, he uses Sun Tzu's The Art of War to wage a clandestine war against the racist administration, parents, and students, while working with other Black students to ensure their voices are finally heard. Publication is set for summer 2023; Lanie Davis at Alloy Entertainment sold world English rights.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond Books has bought Ever Since by Alena Bruzas in a six-figure preempt. The debut YA novel features Virginia, a teenage girl who gains power and solace in folklore and storytelling as she copes with childhood sexual trauma, finding the strength to save her love interest's youngest sister from the same fate. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Susan Hawk at Upstart Crow Literary handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Zareen Jaffrey at Kokila has acquired Autumn Allen's debut YA novel, All You Have to Do, about two young Black men who attend prestigious historically white schools nearly 30 years apart—Columbia University in 1968, and a prep school in Massachusetts in 1995. As the two students seek to connect with national movements for Black liberation, they risk losing the opportunities their parents worked hard to provide while moving closer to discovering who they want to be instead of accepting how society and family define them. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Tina Dubois at CAA sold world rights in a two-book deal.
Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has bought, in a preempt, Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart (Grace and Fury), a YA novel in which a picture-perfect girl next door has to shed her image (and her manners) to take down a killer at a sleepover gone very wrong. Publication is planned for 2024; Pam Gruber at Irene Goodman Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Gretchen Durning at Razorbill has acquired Gods & Gamemasters by Rosaria Munda (the Aurelian Cycle). This speculative retelling of the Trojan War, pitched as a YA Circe meets Ready Player One, empowers two of Troy's most well-known tragic figures to rewrite their fates. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Aneeka Kalia at Viking has bought, in a six-figure preempt, Wish You Were(n't) Here, a YA rom-com by debut novelist Erin Baldwin. Pitched as The Hating Game for teens, the story follows childhood rivals Juliette and Priya, who are forced to be summer camp cabinmates, and must decide what they want more: to kill each other, or to kiss. Publication is set for summer 2024; Lauren Spieller at Triada US brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has bought Nothing to See Here, a middle grade novel by Barbara Dee (Maybe He Just Likes You). When a group of seventh graders become aware of classmates' anonymous social media accounts depicting students in unflattering ways, they design a social experiment and create accounts that disseminate invented gossip, filtered photos, and staged videos. Publication is planned for winter 2026; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Zachary Clark at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Ruby Code by Jessica Khoury, a middle grade techno-thriller in the vein of Ready Player One. Inside a virtual fantasy world, lonely gamer Ash befriends Ruby, a powerful, self-aware AI disguised as an NPC—sending them scrambling through a futuristic NYC to escape the ruthless programmer who wants Ruby back. Publication is scheduled for August 2023; Lucy Carson at the Friedrich Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Laura Schreiber at Union Square Kids has bought, in a preempt, Sydney Taylor Honor Award-winning author Susan Lynn Meyer's Sky Full of Song, a middle grade historical novel about 11-year-old Shoshana, whose Jewish family flees Russia's pogroms in 1906 to join her father and brother already homesteading in North Dakota only to find that the antisemitism they fled is alive and present on the prairie as well. Publication is set for spring 2023; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Alex Borbolla while at Atheneum acquired at auction author-illustrator Celia Krampien's middle grade debut, The Bellwoods Game, an illustrated novel; Kristie Choi will edit. Everyone knows the Bellwoods are haunted by the ghost of Abigail Snook, which is why each Halloween night a group of sixth graders must race into the woods and ring a mysterious bell to keep her spirit at bay. But when the game begins, everything the kids thought they knew about the game—and each other—is challenged. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Andrea Morrison at Writers House sold world English rights.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has bought Mari Lowe's middle-grade novel Shaindy After Hours, about a Jewish girl named Shaindy, who pulls a series of pranks on her classmates in an attempt to grow closer to her perfect next-door neighbor, until the pranks go too far and Shaindy has to decide who to betray: her friend or herself. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Tamar Rydzinski at Context Literary Agency sold world English and Spanish rights.
Paula Manzanero at Penguin Workshop has acquired world right to The Unofficial Alcatraz Handbook, a collection that weaves together the island's true history with little-known facts and legend-busting stories, written by Kristen Tracy (l.), who spent years on the island as a volunteer helping to restore Alcatraz's historic gardens, and illustrated by Anika Orrock. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Sara Crowe represented the author and illustrator.
Jessica Anderson at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books has bought author-illustrator Jonathan Roth's Almost Underwear, a picture book exploring the history and science of flight as told through the piece of muslin cloth that was a part of each landmark first flight, from the Wright Brothers, to the moon landing and the first trip to Mars. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Agency did the deal for world rights.
Howard W. Reeves at Abrams has acquired, in an exclusive submission, in her debut as both author and illustrator, Magaly Morales's Tajín, a picture book based on the Totonac-language (Veracruz, Mexico) legend of the young male god responsible for hurricanes. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Kevin O'Connor at O'Connor Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Vanessa McCumber at Orca Books has bought The Pie Report, a debut picture book from author-illustrator Hayley Lowe. Peggy and her grandfather live an ocean apart but stay connected through weekly pie reports; when Grandad suddenly stops showing up, Peggy has to figure out a way to reach him again. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Essie White of Storm Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Maria Russo at mineditionUS has acquired world rights to How Birds Sleep by David Obuchowski (l.), illustrated by Sarah Pedry. This debut nonfiction picture book reveals the surprising sleeping habits of more than 20 bird species throughout the world. Publication is set for spring 2023; Obuchowski and Pedry represented themselves.
Kelsey Skea at Two Lions has bought world rights, in an exclusive submission, Our Spot by Lindsay Ward (l.), a picture book about a girl who goes with her father to their secret urban fishing spot and remembers when her late mother used to join them. Gabrielle Grimard will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2024. Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Claire Easton Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has acquired world rights to Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist, written by Mia Wenjen (l.) (Sumo Joe) and illustrated by Keith Henry Brown (Because of You, John Lewis). The biographical picture book focuses on Kochiyama’s life and her friendship with Black Power leader Malcolm X. It's slated for 2024; Lary Rosenblatt at 22MediaWorks represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Lazowski at Chronicle has bought world rights to Together on Eid, written by Sana Rafi (l.), illustrated by Mariam Quraishi. This celebration of family and cultural traditions celebrates all the best parts about Eid-al-Fitr, from dressing up, to the feast, to the most important of all: being together. Publication is set for fall 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Kate Cunningham at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to The Gift of the Broken Tea Cup by Allan Wolf (l.), illustrated by Jade Orlando, a poetry collection centered around mindfulness and social-emotional learning. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; the author represented himself, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to Who Made This Mess? by Laura Gehl (l.), illustrated by Aleksandar Stojsic, a picture book that takes readers on an animal mystery that will keep everyone guessing. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Lemonade Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Joseph Fitzgerald at Wisdom Tales has acquired world rights to A Ring for a King by Martha Seif Simpson (l.), illustrated by Yael Bernhard, a picture book about a kitchen boy, dismissed from his position, who has a chance at redemption if he solves a riddle posed by King Solomon. Publication is slated for winter 2025; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
