Katherine Tegen at HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson, a YA contemporary mystery novel about a girl who finds herself in a house with a terrible secret and becomes obsessed by the place, the people, and the romance of it all—and ends up finding the darkness at its core. Erica Sussman will edit; publication is planned for winter 2024. Kate Testerman at KT Literary did the three-book deal for world rights, including two more Stevie Bell mysteries.
Emilia Rhodes at Clarion Books has bought Kindling by NBA finalist Traci Chee, a YA reimagining of Seven Samurai. Set against a war-ravaged fantasy world where kindling warfare—the use of elite, magic-wielding teenage soldiers—has been outlawed, seven kindlings search for purpose and identity as they prepare for one final battle. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Barbara Poelle at Irene Goodman Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier (Starlings), a feminist YA horror novel in which six teen girls, all born on the same day, must unravel the secrets of their small town after one of them disappears, only to return very, very different. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Juliana McBride at Rebecca Friedman Literary handled the deal for world English rights.
Patrice Caldwell, while at Disney-Hyperion, bought world rights to We Walked in Clouds, a YA graphic novel written by Deborah Noyes (l.) (Ten Days a Madwoman), illustrated by M Duffy, a interpretation of the 1692 Salem witch trials based on primary source documents. Andrea Colvin will edit for Little, Brown Ink; publication is set for summer 2024. Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Bernadette Baker-Baughman at Victoria Sanders & Associates represented the illustrator.
Laura Schreiber at Union Square Kids has acquired, at auction, A Bright Heart by debut novelist Kate Chenli. In this historical YA fantasy, when Migshin is murdered by the man she thought she loved, she is granted her dying request and wakes up two years earlier. She now needs to stop all the horrors she had unwittingly set in motion, but the past keeps changing, and she needs to use her intelligence and wit to make sure the wrong man doesn't once again become king. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Tamar Rydzinski at Context Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
Margaret Ferguson at Holiday House has bought Dionna Mann's debut middle grade novel Mama's Chicken and Dumplings, set in a thriving Black Southern community during the Jim Crow era and follows 10-year-old Allie, who wants an unbroken life and plans to find her mama a husband—one who likes to sing, kind-smiles, and most importantly loves her mama's chicken and dumplings. But when Mama starts having eyes for the wrong man, Allie realizes that it may be her plan that is actually broken. Publication is slated for 2024; Kelly Dyksterhouse and Jacqui Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Stephanie Stein at Harper Alley has acquired at auction, North American rights to Copy Cat by collaborators Elyse Martin (l.) and Sean Rubin. This middle grade graphic novel is set during the golden age of manuscript illumination in medieval Britain, where a 12-year-old orphan avoids getting caught stealing a box of jewels by disguising herself as a monk-in-training at the local abbey. There, she learns how to be a scribe, and discovers that art and community may be worth more than gold. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Stephanie Kim and Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media represented Martin, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented Rubin.
Shana Corey at Random House has bought. in an exclusive submission, world rights to Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee (l.) and Molly Brooks (Growing Pangs). This semi-autobiographical middle grade graphic novel tells the story of homeschooled Katie; it's 2004 and turning 12 brings big changes for Katie—bras, her period, her first babysitting job, and the realization that she has a crush on a girl, something she knows some members of her community won't approve of. Publication is set for fall 2024; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author. and Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the artist.
Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has acquired husband-and-wife team Hayley Rocco (l.) and Caldecott Honoree John Rocco's second picture book All the Books on exclusive submission, about a possessive, book-hoarding chipmunk who doesn't want to share, until she discovers the magic of the library. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Rob Weisbach at Rob Weisbach Creative Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has bought world rights to Yadira and Her Braids, a debut picture book by Adiba Nelson (l.), illustrated by Alleanna Harris, a celebration of Afro-Latin culture and self-love. As a girl gets her hair braided with cowrie shells, her mother tells her the story of Oshun, the Goddess of love and beauty, filling her with wonder and pride, and giving her the courage to face the first day of school. Publication is slated for winter 2025; Jess Regel at Helm Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to Kirsten Hubbard's (l.) debut picture book Dear Stray, illustrated by Susan Gal, about a prickly girl and her prickly new kitten as they help each other navigate their wild sides. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the author, and Gail Gaynin at Morgan Gaynin Inc. represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought La Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira (l.) (Bella's Recipe for Success), illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera (Hanukkah in Little Havana), a picture book that follows Miguel through a series of misadventures once Mrs. Mala Suerte (Mrs. Bad Luck) starts thwarting his every move. Publication is set for spring 2024, and a Spanish edition (La mala suerte me sigue) will publish at the same time. Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Kate Kendrick Powell at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Phoebe Yeh at Crown has acquired world rights to narrative picture book Mamie Fights to Go to School: Based on a True Story by Traci Huahn (l.), illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan. This picture book is inspired by the real-life story of Mamie Tape, a Chinese American student growing up in San Francisco in the 1880s who was prohibited from attending the local all-white school. Mamie and her parents filed a lawsuit, and her case went all the way to the California Supreme Court. Publication is slated for summer 2024; the author represented herself, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought world rights to Haiku, Ew! by Lynn Brunelle (l.) (Pop Bottle Science), illustrated by Julia Patton, a collection of poems that explores a side of nature that is often underappreciated. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has acquired world rights to Finding North by Nelly Buchet (l.) (How to Train Your Pet Brain), illustrated by Mathias Ball, a picture book about Loulou, a lost wolf cub who must prove to herself that she is a real wolf and find the great and fearsome North—and her voice—to rejoin her family. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Natascha Morris at the Tobias Agency represented the illustrator.
Erika Turner at Little, Brown has acquired Everything Glittered by Robin Talley, pitched as Ellie Marney's None Shall Sleep meets Malinda Lo's Last Night at the Telegraph Club. In this sapphic YA thriller set at an elite boarding school in Washington, D.C., circa 1927, three young women become involved in the investigation of the murder of their controversial headmistress. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world English rights.
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has bought, in a preempt, Isabel Ibañez's What the River Knows and an untitled sequel, a historical fantasy duology set in 19th-century Egypt, described as part Death on the Nile, part The Mummy, in which Bolivian-Argentinean Inez Olivera investigates her parents' deaths while contending with her mysterious new guardian and his infuriatingly handsome assistant, who guard a secret that only magic can reveal. Publication is slated for fall 2023 and summer 2024; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic sold world English rights.
Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury has acquired Nia Davenport's witchy YA rom-com Love Spells Trouble. Cayden wants nothing to do with Coven boys after the group excommunicated her mom for marrying her nonmagical dad, but when she realizes that fake dating it-boy warlock Khy Carter could be the one thing that saves her family's struggling bakery, Cayden finds herself in the middle of the world she'd shunned—and falling for the guy. Publication is set for spring 2025; Caitie Flum at Liza Dawson Associates handled the deal for world rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, Lydia Gregovic's The Monstrous Kind, a YA fantasy inspired by Sense and Sensibility and set in an alternate England surrounded by a mysterious mist harboring terrifying creatures. When Merrick Darling's father dies, she must return to her ancestral home, only to discover family secrets far more dangerous than the monsters at her home's gates. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Nicole Ellul at Simon and Schuster has acquired debut author Erin Cotter's By Any Other Name, a YA historical romp set in Elizabethan England pitched as The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue meets The Boy in the Red Dress, in which young Shakespearean actor Will Hughes partners with the dashing Lord James Bloomsbury to solve the murder of Will's playwright friend, while trying to keep their budding romance a secret from the royal family. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Hilary Harwell at KT Literary sold world rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte Press has bought Pitch Wars alum Kara A. Kennedy's debut I Will Never Leave You, pitched as Kara Thomas meets The Haunting of Bly Manor. This YA speculative thriller follows Maya, a teen girl haunted by the ghost of her emotionally abusive ex-girlfriend, who gives her a chilling ultimatum: help her possess another girl, or go down for her murder. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Courtney Stevenson at Quill Tree has acquired Dinner at the Brake Fast by Renee Beauregard Lute, a contemporary middle grade novel in which foodie Tacoma, who works with her parents at the family's truck-stop diner, goes on a road trip adventure with new friends to steal back a prized possession from a bully, save the day, and cook the best dinner ever. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Samantha Wekstein at Thompson Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Grace Scheipeter at Oni Press has bought world English-language rights for three volumes of graphic novel Quinnelope, co-created by Kayla Coombs (l.) and HF Brownfield. This debut story follows three friends, Quinnelope, Bub, and Star, who live in Pleasant Towne and join in a series of colorful and imaginative adventures. The first book is set for fall 2023; Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary handled the deal.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to Geisel Honoree Niña Mata's author-illustrator debut picture book, New. Based on Mata's own experience, the book follows a Filipina girl on her first days of school in America as she navigates her particular encounter with newness through a universal lens. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the author.
Tara Walker and Samantha Swenson at Tundra have bought North American rights in a preempt to a debut picture book series by Juno-nominated filmmaker and writer José Avelino Gilles Corbett Lourenço (l.), illustrated by Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning animator James Braithwaite, featuring Millie, a resourceful young character with the spirit of Olivia, the energy of Really Rosie, and a diverse Peanuts-esque gang of friends who will share in her adventures. It's slated to launch in spring 2025; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio did the two-book deal.
Allyn Johnston and Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books have acquired world rights to the picture book The Towering Tree by Janna Matthies (l.) (Here We Come!), illustrated by Ashley Wolff (Wildfire!), a celebration of the interconnectivity between nature and the human spirit, told in cumulative rhyme. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself .
Marilyn Brigham at Amazon Crossing Kids has bought What Happened on Thursday? A Nigerian Civil War Story by Nigerian author Ayo Oyeku (l.), illustrated by Lydia Mba. This picture book, told from the point of view of a child, follows a family through the experience of war as they lose their home, travel across the countryside, and eventually settle in a refugee camp until the war finally ends. Publication is set for spring 2024; the author represented himself, and Marzena Torzecka at Marlena Agency represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired Insha'allah, No, Maybe So by Rhonda Roumani (l.) and Nadia Roumani (c.), illustrated by Olivia Aserr (r.). Ranya and her mother ponder the best way to talk about their hopes and dreams in this picture book about a common Arabic expression used by Muslims and Arabs around the world for life's uncertainties. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the authors, and Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has bought world rights to Lucas and the Capoeira Circle and an untitled second picture book by Joana Pastro (l.); the first book will be illustrated by Douglas Lopes. Lucas and the Capoeira Circle follows a boy as he overcomes his nerves about performing in his next capoeira ceremony—his batizado. Publication is planned for summer 2024. James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Amy Milligan at Illo Agency represented the illustrator.
Arthur A. Levine at Levine Querido has acquired On a Chariot of Fire, a picture book detailing the legendary origin of the Bene Israel Jews of India told by the character Nani Penkar, written by Erica Lyons (l.) and illustrated by Indian-Jewish fine artist Siona Benjamin. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Cherrita Lee at Beaming Books has bought world rights to The Simplest Song by CK Malone (l.), illustrated by Shelly Swann. Mara and her grandparents celebrated All Souls' Day every year by singing to those who lost loved ones; this year Popi isn't here to sing with them, and Mara comes up with a plan to honor him. Publication is set for fall 2024; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Autumn Allen at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Ayo's Adventure: Across the African Diaspora from Afro to Zulu by Ain Drew (l.) (Ari J's Kinky, Curly Crown), illustrated by Erin Robinson (A Library). An African American boy takes a magical journey through space and time to discover cultures and history throughout the African diaspora. Publication is planned for fall 2024; the author represented herself, and Marlena Torzecka at Marlena Agency represented the illustrator.
