Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired, at auction, Arya Khanna's Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat, a debut YA novel pitched as Morgan Matson's Save the Date meets Mindy Kaling's Never Have I Ever. As her sister's wedding approaches, high school senior Arya must navigate fraught family dynamics, the fallout of her two best friends breaking up, and a tense partnership with her rival, the frustratingly attractive student council president. Publication is set for fall 2023; Rebecca Rodd and Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Grace Kendall at FSG has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Flamboyants: Queer Stories from the Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known, a YA nonfiction work by George M. Johnson (l.) spotlighting famous LGBTQIA+ Black leaders throughout the Harlem Renaissance, illustrated by Cienna Smith, with Johnson's personal connection to these figures interwoven throughout. Publication is tentatively slated for winter 2024; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media did the six-figure deal, and the artist represented herself.
Kelsey Sullivan at Disney Hyperion has acquired A Spark in the Cinders by Jenny Elder Moke (Hood; Curse of the Specter Queen), a YA fairy tale re-imagining about one wicked stepsister's journey from side character to heroine of her own quest. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic sold world rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought The Red Car to Hollywood, a YA novel by Jennie Liu (Girls on the Line; Like Spilled Water). In 1920s Los Angeles, 16-year-old Ruby Chan is struggling to balance her first-generation parents' expectations with her own dreams; her plans shift when she strikes up a friendship with young movie star Anna May Wong. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has acquired The Thief Who Sang Storms by Sophie Anderson (The House with Chicken Legs). In this middle grade fantasy, a girl must attempt to bring together the two warring sides of her island in order to save her father, and in doing so learns that friendship might be the most powerful magic of all. Publication is set for May 2023; Gemma Cooper at the Bent Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Alison Weiss at Pixel + Ink has bought The Second Favorite Daughter's Club by Colleen Oakes, and a second title in the middle grade series. In the series, described as The Parent Trap meets The Babysitters Club, two second-favorite daughters set out to become their parents' first favorites by plotting to undermine their perfect siblings. Publication of the first book is slated for spring 2024; Ginger Clark at Ginger Clark Literary sold world rights.
Katherine Easter at Zonderkidz has acquired world rights to Enemies in the Orchard: A World War 2 Novel in Verse by debut author Dana VanderLugt. Based on a true story, this historical middle grade novel depicts the growing friendship between an American girl and a young German POW hired to work on her family's Michigan apple farm. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content handled the deal.
Michael Green at Marble Press has bought Dog Eat Doug, an early reader graphic novel series of four books in the spirit of Peanuts and Calvin and Hobbes, based on the comic creation of Brian Anderson that follows the exploits of Sophie, a chocolate Lab with a nose for the nuances of sarcasm and irony; and Doug, a happy baby with limitless curiosity. Publication will start in fall 2023; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for world English rights.
Elizabeth Barton, with Leslie Tran, at Simon Spotlight has acquired world rights to Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey by Jennifer Fosberry (l.), illustrated by Shiho Pate, in a two-book deal, for the Ready-to-Read Graphics line. It tells the story of Chi-Chi (a chicken who likes cheese puffs and cheerleading) and Pey-Pey (a penguin who likes pirates and pogo sticks) and asks the question: can two opposites become friends? The first book is set for summer 2023; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author and the illustrator for world rights.
Anne-Marie Varga at Knopf has bought Anden Wilder's picture book Tulip's Mess, centering on Tulip and the anthropomorphic Mess that gobbles up her leftover wrappers, crumbs, and dirty socks. But what happens when Mess gets too messy and gobbles up Tulip's most beloved stuffed toy? Publication is planned for fall 2025; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has acquired world rights to author-illustrator Cat Min's third picture book, The Shadow and the Ghost, a tale about the unlikely friendship between a shadow and a ghost. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency represented the author.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Mara Hears in Style by Terri Clemmons (l.), illustrated by Lucy Rogers. Mara's first day at a new school means she keeps having to explain her hearing aids, but one explanation leads to new friends. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Stephanie Hansen at Metamorphosis Literary represented the author, and Jennifer Herrington at Harvey Klinger represented the illustrator.
Josh Gregory at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to When We Had to Leave Home by Linda Ravin Lodding (l.), illustrated by Anna Aronson, a picture book that captures a child's experiences as she flees her home for a safe haven. The book is meant to spark conversations about what it's like to be forced to move to a new place, and serve as a teaching tool for those who have welcomed refugees, migrants and new hopefuls into their community. Publication is set for fall 2023; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Yolanda Scott at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story by Heidi E. Y. Stemple (l.), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight. This fictionalized picture book written by Yolen's daughter tells the story of how Jane's big ideas led to a career in storytelling—starting with her elementary school play. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown Ltd. represented the author, and Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to The Rainbow Brigade by National Jewish Book Award-winning author Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Izzy Evans. Inspired by true events, this picture book tells the story of kids who stood against hate and rallied their neighborhood to support a lesbian couple whose Pride flag and home were vandalized. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Rosie Ahmed at Dial has acquired, in a seven-bidder auction, Libertad by Bessie Flores Zaldívar. The YA novel is a queer coming-of-age set in Honduras, where the protagonist must come into her queerness and to terms with her country's history of violence, heading into an unprecedented presidential election. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Beth Phelan at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought The Sweetness Between Us, a YA rom-com graphic novel by Sarah Winifred Searle (The Greatest Thing); Ben Wilgus will also edit. When farm boy Perley goes back to school after being diagnosed with diabetes, he discovers his classmate Amandine is a recently turned vampire... and she can taste his blood sugar levels. Their relationship grows and evolves as they navigate their new conditions. Publication is set for 2025; Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Stephanie Stein at HarperTeen has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Divining the Leaves by Shveta Thakrar (Star Daughter). In this contemporary YA fantasy inspired by Hindu mythology, two teens find an escape from the troubles of their mortal lives in the magical woodland realm of the nature spirits known as yakshas—but straying too deep into the forest is always more dangerous than it seems. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has bought Letters for My Brown Self by Sarah Mughal Rana, a debut YA novel in prose and verse pitched as The Hate U Give meets The Poet X, exploring Islamophobia post-9/11. When a Muslim spoken word artist's letters about a politician go viral, she must decide whether to stay silent or use her voice. Publication is scheduled for winter 2024; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams has acquired, in a six-figure deal, the graphic novel Kindred Serpents by Sarah Mensinga, pitched as Wings of Fire meets Nimona, about a girl who longs for a dragon of her own, but instead helps an elderly dragon reunite with his lost human and discovers her unique calling along the way. Publication is planned for late 2025; Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group negotiated the deal for world rights.
Olivia Swomley and Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick/MIT Kids Press have bought Animal Bone Detectives by zooarchaeologist Suzanne Pilaar Birch. Middle-grade readers will learn about Neanderthal diets, the domestication of dogs, the extinction of megafauna, and more as they solve a series of skeletal mysteries and experience the cutting-edge scientific tools and techniques real archaeologists use every day. Publication is set for spring 2025; Ann Leslie Tuttle at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret handled the deal for world rights.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired world rights to Yevgenia Nayberg's A Party for Florine, a story of lightness and lust for life that is the author's fantasy fan letter inspired by Florine Stettheimer, a colorful, larger-than-life artist who lived by her own rules. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary brokered the deal.
Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Butt or Face? by Kari Lavelle, a nature picture book that features an interactive format to introduce animal camouflage. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Elizabeth Bennett at the Transatlantic Agency negotiated the two-book deal.
Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has acquired How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by the bestselling duo of Mac Barnett (r.) and Jon Klassen, a picture book that examines the perennial question posed by children around the world (especially those in homes without chimneys). Publication is planned for September 2023; Steven Malk at Writers House did the deal for world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has bought world rights to Newbery Honor author Christina Soontornvat's (l.) picture book Leo's First Vote, illustrated by Isabel Roxas. Leo's class is holding a mock election and his father is participating in his very first election as a naturalized U.S. citizen. Together, father and son learn about voting in America and affirm that everyone's vote is important. Publication is set for fall 2024; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook has acquired world rights to Grace Builds an Almost Perfect Dog by Curtis Manley (l.), illustrated by Tracy Subisak, a picture book about a very determined girl and a very special dog. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has bought world rights to Lunar New Year by Mary Man-Kong (l.), illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan. This nonfiction picture book invites readers to explore the history and traditions of the Lunar New Year. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; the author represented herself, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Mami King by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri (l.), illustrated by Kristin Sorra. This picture book celebrates the rags-to-riches story of Ma Mon Luk, the Chinese immigrant behind the well-loved Filipino noodle soup called mami. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Sera Rivers at Martin Literary & Media represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Jonathan Westmark at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Queen of Hearts, written by National Jewish Book Award-winning author Nancy Churnin (l.), illustrated by Monika Róża Wiśniewska, a true story about Esther Howland, the woman who popularized Valentine cards in America. Publication is set for fall 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Samantha Swenson at Tundra Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Once Upon a Sari by Zenia Wadhwani (l.) ('Twas the Night Before Diwali), illustrated by Avani Dwivedi, a picture book about a girl who learns the stories that each of her mother’s saris tell. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Jackie Kaiser and Bridgette Kam at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and Shadra Strickland at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
