Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin (A Magic Steeped in Poison). In this dark gothic YA fantasy pitched as Chinese mythology meets Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, a young scholar buys the remaining years on an orphan girl's contract to play as his personal musician at his rural manor, but she's in for more than she bargained for when her new master is not human and his home is in the Celestial Realm. Publication is slated for early 2024; Rachel Brooks at BookEnds Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, Prince Félix and La Pluma Magia by Kelly Fernández (Manu), a queer YA romantic adventure graphic novel featuring Prince Félix, who receives a magical feather from the Bird of Many Colors and is lead to a hunter named Ramón instead of a princess. Publication of this contemporary fairytale is planned for 2024, and an untitled standalone graphic novel will follow. Tanya McKinnon at McKinnon Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Olivia Swomley and Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick/MITeen Press have acquired How to Survive the End of the World: Lessons from History by debut author Katy Doughty. The YA graphic novel is a science-driven journey into all the ways humanity could—and almost did—meet its end, and an ultimately hopeful look at surviving the odds. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Elizabeth Lazowski at Chronicle has bought Trisha Kelly (l.) and Jess Lome's The Not-So Secret Love Life of Winnie Franklin, a contemporary YA graphic novel pitched as Heartstopper meets To All The Boys I've Loved Before. Winnie Franklin thought she could skate by junior year being the unassuming fat, queer, romance obsessed person she's always been, until her love letter to the most popular girl is posted on her high school's confession page. When the president of the Queer Club offers to fake date to take the spotlight off, Winnie jumps at the chance, but will she be able to avoid real feelings developing? Publication is set for fall 2024; Claire Draper at the Bent Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Sam Priddy at Neon Squid has acquired world rights to We Need to Talk About Vaginas by debut author and TikTok star Allison K. Rodgers (l.), illustrated by Annika Le Large. This nonfiction book for kids aged 10 and above will inform children about everything they need to know about vaginas and vulvas—without the need for embarrassing conversations. Publication is slated for February 2023; the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
Emilia Rhodes at Clarion Books has bought world rights to two books in the new middle grade graphic novel series I Witnessed, a fictional series about kid witnesses to famous true crimes throughout history. The Lizzie Borden Story by Jeramey Kraatz (l.) is scheduled for fall 2024, and The Great Train Robbery by Andrea Debbink (c.) is scheduled for winter 2025. Crystal Jayme (r.) will illustrate both books. John Cusick at Folio Literary Management represented Kraatz, Reiko Davis at DeFiore and Company represented Debbink, and Jayme represented herself.
Shana Corey at Random House has acquired, in a six-figure preempt, Speak Up Santiago, the first book in the Bull Hill graphic novel series by Julio Anta (l.) (Frontera) and Gabi Mendez (Lo and Behold) and a second untitled Bull Hill graphic novel. The first book follows 12-year-old NYC kid Santiago, the son of a Colombian American father and white American mother. Santi isn't fluent in Spanish, so when he spends a summer upstate with his Spanish-speaking Abuela and joins a soccer team made up of other Latinx kids, he must find his voice and his confidence. Publication is planned for spring 2025, and book two is planned for spring 2026; Jessica Mileo at Inkwell Management sold world rights.
Sophia Jimenez at Atheneum has bought world English rights to S.J. Taylor's middle grade novel Madsi the True, a historical fantasy about a girl whose family thinks her sister was stolen by the Northern Lights, and she must go against everything she believes (fighting Norse monsters along the way) to find the truth of not just what happened to her sister but also who she truly wants to be. Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio negotiated the deal, for publication in fall 2024.
Calista Brill at First Second has acquired S.C.R.A.M.: The Society of Creatures Real and Magical, a middle grade graphic novel by Rory Lucey, artist of Bad Sister, about three young friends—one of whom is visibly a troll—who become interested in tracking down magical creatures after reading about them at the library but soon realize that a magical creature might be right under their noses. Alex Lu will also edit. Publication is set for 2024; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management brokered the deal for world rights.
David Linker at HarperCollins has bought Rescue Tails, a new young reader series by Stacy Hinojosa (a.k.a. Stacyplays). The Minecraft-inspired stories pick up where the Wild Rescuers series left off, following a girl who rescues animals in peril with the help of her six magical wolves. Highly illustrated and written in diary form, each book chronicles an expedition to a different part of the world. The first book is slated for summer 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary & Media did the deal for world rights.
Farrin Jacobs at Little, Brown has acquired Big, Vashti Harrison's (Sulwe; the Little Leaders series) debut picture book as author-illustrator, in which a girl finds self-love and strength in this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small. Publication is planned for May 2023; Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary handled the deal for world English rights.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has bought, in a preempt, author-illustrator and New Yorker cover illustrator Bob Staake's Lost, conceived in the vein of his Bluebird, a wordless narrative about a girl seeking to find her missing cat and aided by surprising characters along the way, a story about losing, finding, and making a community. Publication is set for spring 2024; Gillian MacKenzie at the Gillian MacKenzie Agency sold world English rights.
Alvina Ling at Little Brown has acquired world rights at auction to a debut picture book by Regina Linke, based on her webcomic The Oxherd Boy. Big Enough is the story about the day the Oxherd Boy learns to trust his intuition and accomplish the fearful task of bringing home the gigantic family ox for the first time. Publication is scheduled for winter 2025; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary brokered the two-book deal.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has bought Countdown to Nochebuena by author-illustrator Adriana Hernandez Bergstrom (Abuelita and I Make Flan), a counting book that celebrates Latine Christmas traditions with vibrant colors. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency negotiated the deal for world English and Spanish rights, for a fall 2023 publication.
Susan Dobinick at Astra Young Readers has acquired author-illustrator Valorie Fisher's Look and Cook, a cookbook for pre-readers using photo-illustrations with a modern infographic twist. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary represented the author for world rights.
Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick Press has bought Alma's Words/Las palabras de Alma, a series of bilingual English/Spanish concept board books by Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal. The four-book deal includes fall 2023 titles Alma and Her Family/Alma y su familia and Alma, Head to Toe/Alma de pies a cabeza, and fall 2024 titles Alma at Home/Alma en casa and Where Is Pajarito?/¿Dónde esta Pajarito? Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary sold world rights.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond Books has acquired at auction world English rights to Lawrence & Sophia by Doreen Cronin (l.) (Click, Clack, Moo), illustrated by Brian Cronin, in a two-book deal. The picture book tells a story of love and friendship between a boy and a bird who overcome their fears together, opening up a new world for both of them. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the artist.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has bought world rights to When Beavers Flew by Kristen Tracy (l.), illustrated by Luisa Uribe, a picture book about an act of environmentalism that took place in Idaho in the 1940's when a fish and game warden figured out a way to relocate beavers that were wreaking havoc on a town to the backcountry using parachutes. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Allyn Johnston at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought Dazzling Zelda!: The Story of Fashion Designer Zelda Wynn Valdes, a picture book biography by author-illustrator Aura Lewis (l.) in collaboration with fashion creative and educator Farai Simoyi about the trailblazing 20th-century fashion designer who designed for stars such as Ella Fitzgerald and Josephine Baker and opened the first Black-owned boutique on Broadway. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency did the deal for world rights.
Karen Nagel at Aladdin has acquired world rights to Daddy Dressed Me by Ava Gardner (l.) and Michael Gardner (c.) (of the @daddydressedmebymg Instagram account), illustrated by Nadia Fisher (r.). This picture book celebrates daddy-daughter love and creativity as Michael, who learned to sew to create one-of-a-kind outfits for Ava, designs a special dress to ease her nerves as she moves up to first grade. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Rick Richter at Aevitas Creative Management represented the authors, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Erika DiPasquale at HarperCollins has bought world rights to The Last Tamale by debut author Orlando Mendiola (l.), illus. by Teresa Martínez. In this picture book meant for fans of Paletero Man and Lucia the Luchadora, a Mexican-American family competes over the last tamale at their annual tamalada (tamale-making party). Publication is set for fall 2024; Samantha Wekstein at Thompson Literary Agency represented the author, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired world rights to Touch the Sky by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic (l.), illustrated by Chris Park, a picture book that captures the unforgettable moment when a child learns how to pump on a swing. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the author, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Meg Gaertner at Jolly Fish Press has bought world rights to Holly and the Pittie Party, a picture book by debut author Julian Frischherz (l.), illustrated by Leesh Li. An abandoned pit bull pup roams the city in search of love and belonging while facing mistreatment and misconceptions about her breed. Publication is planned for fall 2023; the author represented himself, and Beehive Illustration represented the illustrator.
David Behrman at Apples & Honey Press has acquired A Toad for Tuesday by Russell E. Erickson (l.) and six other previously published works featuring Warton the tree toad. First published in 1974 and now out of print, this is the story of a hopeful yet persistent toad, caught and held captive by a lonely, grumpy owl who plans to eat him as a birthday treat, but surprises are in store at every turn. It is slated for re-release in spring 2024 with the original drawings by Lawrence Di Fiori. Stuart Miller at Stuart M. Miller Co. Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights excluding Japan and Korea.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has acquired, at auction, Poemhood: Our Black Revival, a YA poetry anthology that pays homage to Black poetry, folklore and culture by placing new young poets in conversation with current Black, African and Caribbean writers and the older generation of writers that preceded them. The anthology is edited by Taylor Byas (l.), Erica Martin (c.), and Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner Amber McBride (r.), and includes the voices of more than 30 poets, including Nikki Giovanni, Kwame Alexander, Ibi Zoboi, Rita Dove, Jabari Asim, Mahogany Browne, Antwan Eady, Joy Priest, and Ashley Woodfolk, with poems from ancestors like Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou and Gwendolyn Brooks. Publication is set for winter 2024; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency did the deal for world rights.
Julie Rosenberg while at Razorbill bought These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang (Rebelwing; Renegade Flight); Gretchen Durning will edit. In this contemporary fantasy pitched as a magical Knives Out, the ambitious teenage apprentice to a wealthy and powerful sorcerer must unravel the mystery of her mentor's murder by solving the riddle of his final prophecy, which predicted his own death at the hands of his most beloved, while navigating the tangled web of the sorcerer's family secrets, especially those concerning his handsome youngest son. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Thao Le at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Joanna Cardenas at Kokila has acquired, at auction, Rules for Rule-Breaking by Talia Tucker, a YA rom-com pitched as Booksmart meets Never Have I Ever, about two Korean American teens forced into a shared college visit road trip on which they discover that maybe the reasons they've been mortal enemies their entire lives are actually signs they're a perfect pair. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Ruta Rimas at Razorbill has bought One Last Breath, a YA supernatural thriller by Ginny Myers Sain (Dark and Shallow Lies). The book follows Tru, who escapes her troubled life by free diving Florida's freshwater springs, and obsessing over the murder of two local teens decades prior. When a new girl suggests that she and Tru have a supernatural connection to those long-ago deaths, they decide to solve the cold case—just as their own relationship heats up. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Pete Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Alexa Wejko at Soho Teen has acquired Anthony Nerada's YA debut Skater Boy. In this queer take on the Avril Lavigne classic song, resident bad boy Wes has an unchecked anger problem. But when ballet dancer Tristan pirouettes into his life, Wes must trade his skateboard for textbooks, ditch his rowdy friends, and blow up the bully reputation he never wanted in the first place. Publication is set for spring 2024; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has bought Emmett by Lev Rosen, a queer contemporary YA take on Jane Austen's Emma. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Joy Tutela at the David Black Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Hannah Smith at Owl Hollow Press has acquired world rights to YA thriller Badlands by Jo Schaffer Layton, co-founder of Teen Author Boot Camp. In the book, 17-year-old Jaqueline, when confronted with a flurry of family drama and bad choices, finds herself dropped off in the Idaho Badlands with a group of other problem teens on a 30-day survival program her dad hopes will reform her. When what starts as an adventure in wilderness survival becomes a life-and-death ordeal, the Badlands will change Jaqueline forever. Publication is slated for fall 2023; the author represented herself.
Jenne Abramowitz at Graphix has bought world rights to How to Be American by Chris Choi (aka Chris Danger, illustrator of The Inflatables series) at auction. Based on the author's childhood, this middle grade graphic novel follows sixth-grader Chris who has moved from South Korea to the U.S. after getting adopted by his American aunt and uncle. Chris tries to fit in at school despite his limited English, constant bullying, and a class project about personal heritage that makes him feel like he's standing out for all of the wrong reasons. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the author.
Claire Stetzer at Inkyard Press has acquired, at auction, Brigid Martin's middle grade debut Totally Psychic and its sequels. Paloma Ferrer is a Cuban-American tween medium who skyrockets in popularity at her new school when she starts hosting weekly seances, but balancing new friends, an annoying little sister, and misbehaving ghosts might prove too much for her to juggle. Publication is set for fall 2023; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media represents Cake Creative and brokered the deal for world English rights.
Erin Clarke at Knopf has bought world rights to Kickturn, a middle grade graphic novel by Brie Spangler (Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper), about a 10-year-old girl traveling the country with her parents in a skoolie (a converted school bus) when she discovers skateboarding. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Mackenzie Brady Watson at Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Erinn Pascal at Andrews McMeel has acquired world English rights to Tara J. Hannon's young graphic novel series Birtle, in a two-book deal. When a featherless baby bird, Teeny, befriends a turtle named Tootie in Turtletown, she believes she is a turtle without a shell. But when Teeny begins to sprout feathers, Tootie and Teeny must break social norms, accept each other unconditionally, and navigate friendship together. Both books are scheduled for summer 2024; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary & Media handled the deal.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has bought world rights to Shark at Sister Tea, a picture book written by Barbara Joosse (l.) (Mama, Do You Love Me?) and illustrated by Geisel Honor winner Sergio Ruzzier (Fox and Chick). When Mama and Papa go to the market, Sadie and her sister Flora make a tent out of wisteria and ribbons, serve a pretend cake, and enjoy their own tea party, until a very suspicious guest shows up. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the author, and Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has acquired Big Kids, a picture book by Printz Honor author K.L. Going (l.), illustrated by Reggie Brown, the story about a young kid starting school and feeling intimidated when he sees all the big kids. Publication is set for summer 2025; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Christy Ewers at CAT Agency represented the artist.
Sonali Fry at Crown has bought world rights to The Night Before Freedom by Glenda Armand (l.), a rhyming picture book about the night before Juneteenth, illustrated by fine artist Corey Barksdale. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Michelle Lee at Dial has acquired world rights to Jollof Day by Bernard Mensah (l.), illustrated by Annalise Barber, which captures the special place Jollof holds for a Ghanaian boy and his family, the second picture book in a previously announced deal. Publication is slated for spring 2025. Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Agency negotiated the deal while at Bradford Literary Agency, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick/MIT Kids has bought world rights to North, South, East, and Gladys West by Ainissa Ramirez (l.), illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, a picture book biography that tells how mathematician Gladys West worked through the inequities in her own life to discover a way to map the shape of the uneven earth in a system that is still used by the Global Positioning System of today. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Deborah Schneider at Gelfman Schneider represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has acquired world rights to Wind Is… by Debra Kempf Shumaker (l.), illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. This picture book explores many types of wind one might experience, from a fluffing, ruffling breeze to a rumbling, tumbling derecho. Publication is set for fall 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Kyra Ostendorf at Free Spirit has bought world rights to Dear Dad: Love, Nelson by Margarett McBride (l). A boy's letters to his incarcerated father help them stay connected even while they're apart. David Wilkerson will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2023. The author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Mabel Hsu at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired, at auction, Spider in the Well, a debut picture book by author-illustrator Jess Hannigan. When a village's (selfless) wishes begin to go unanswered, a newsboy is sent to investigate what might be wrong with the forest wishing well—only to discover a cheeky spider with a web full of gold who claims only to be "accidentally" rich. Publication is slated for winter 2024, with a second untitled picture book due in winter 2025; Hannah Mann at Writers House did the deal for world rights.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Ketchup on My Sundae and Bruno Builder Bakes Bread, written and illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff (The Bread Pet). These mix-and-match board books allow readers to try out wacky combinations of flavors and jobs, respectively. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Verhoeff represented herself.
