Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired The Collectors, a YA anthology of stories about remarkable people and their surprising collections, edited by Printz winner A.S. King and featuring new fiction by M.T. Anderson, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, David Levithan, Cory McCarthy, Anna-Marie McLemore, G. Neri, Jason Reynolds, Randy Ribay, Jenny Torres Sanchez, and King. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has bought Medici Heist, the debut YA novel by Stranger Things writer Caitlin Schneiderhan, pitched as Leigh Bardugo meets Mackenzi Lee. In 1517 Florence Italy, a sharp-witted teenage thief leads a team of misfits, including the artist Michelangelo, in a plot to rob a dangerous and corrupt Medici Pope. Publication is slated for summer 2024; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management / Folio Jr. brokered the deal for North American rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street has acquired Helga by Catherine Yu (Direwood). In this gender-bent Frankenstein retelling blending comedy and body horror, 18-year-old Helga wakes up swole, feisty, and a big shock to her scientist father. When her father leaves town on business, Helga escapes the lab to explore her volcanic island home in search of rowdy punk clubs, new friends, and good food, and on the hunt for a cute boyfriend, even if she has to make one herself. Publication is set for spring 2024; Erin Clyburn at Howland Literary did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road has bought, in an exclusive submission, Ariel Crashes a Train, a YA novel-in-verse by Olivia A. Cole (Dear Medusa) that explores the violence of OCD and intrusive thoughts in a haunting yet hopeful portrait of a girl on the edge. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media sold world English rights.
Laura Schreiber at Union Square Kids has acquired, at auction, Now, Conjurers by debut author Freddie Kölsch. In this YA horror novel, the partially devoured body of Bastion Attia—high school quarterback, secret witch, and Nesbit Nuñez's even-more-secret boyfriend—is discovered at the edge of Stepwood Cemetery, and Nesbit and his coven of queer misfits are plunged into an occult murder investigation that leads to a wish-granting demon lurking beneath their town. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency sold North American rights.
Alex Borbolla, while at Atheneum, has bought middle grade novel Sunny Parker Is Here to Stay by Margaret Finnegan, in a two-book deal, to be edited by Feather Flores. Sunny never thought living in an affordable housing complex made her different—until the development of a new complex is halted by her affluent neighborhood's loud opposition. As rumors of "people like her" damaging the community begin to spread, Sunny teams up with her best friend to change the narrative. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Tracy Marchini at Bookends Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Stupendous Switcheroo, an illustrated middle grade series by Mary Winn Heider (l.) (The Mortification of Fovea Munson) and Chad Sell (The Cardboard Kingdom). In the first installment, the hero wakes up one morning with superpowers—powers he didn't have the night before—and goes off to fight villains, only to find he has different powers the very next day. Publication is set for fall 2023; Tina Dubois at CAA represented Heider, and Daniel Lazar at Writers House represented Sell in the deal for North American rights.
Megan Peace at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, Diary of a Nature Nerd, a debut middle-grade graphic novel by Tiffany Everett. Brooke loves her nomadic life on the road, exploring national parks and wildlife, and tracks her experiences in her diary. But the blended-family RV begins to feel cramped when Brooke discovers that her best-friend-turned-stepsister has been harboring a secret. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 brokered the deal for world rights.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has acquired world rights to Stephanie Faris's middle grade novel Finding Normal, about a girl who loses everything when her neighborhood floods and her family is forced to move across town to live in a motel, and discovers the power of community and that what's most important has nothing to do with what you own or where you live. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has bought North American rights, at auction, to the first six books in The Deadliest, a humorous STEM graphic novel series for ages 6–9 by entomologist Dr. Eleanor Spicer Rice. Starting with The Deadliest Spider, each book stars a comedic line-up of deadly (and not-so-deadly) species, each vying for the title of *the* deadliest as if in a talent contest, while offering scientific facts about the species. Publication is tentatively set for spring 2025; Gillian MacKenzie at the Gillian MacKenzie Agency represented the author.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Basil & Dahlia: A Tragic Orphaning, a Gnawing Hunger, and an Unexpectedly Terrible Sweetness by Joy McCullough (l.), illustrated by Shane Cluskey, the adventures of two unlucky orphans who leap off of a train rather than be split up into separate foster homes and find themselves in an increasingly madcap series of mishaps. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and the artist represented himself.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to There's That Sun Again by Mk Smith Despres (l.), illustrated by Julie Benbassat, a picture book that carries readers through a series of moments that occur over the course of a day across multiple kids' lives. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Sydnee Monday at Kokila has acquired world rights to Hush Hush Hurricane by Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton (l.) (Black Chameleon), illustrated by Ija Charles. In this picture book about climate anxiety, family, and resiliency, a girl and her parents prepare for an incoming storm. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Kirby Kim at Janklow & Nesbit represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Cheryl Eissing at Flamingo has bought Taylor Rouanzion (l.) and Stacey Chomiak's A Rainbow of Choices, a picture book narrated by parents saying no matter whether their baby's favorite color is blue or pink—or green or orange—a baby of any shape and size is a perfect one, for readers of I Love You to the Moon and Back and The Color Collector. Publication is slated for 2024; Claire Draper at the Bent Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Sara Sargent at Random House has acquired world rights to The World Is Ours to Cherish: A Letter to a Child by Mary Annaïse Heglar (l.), illustrated by Vivian Mineker. This picture book talks honestly to kids about the sad state of our climate, while infusing the situation with hope that there's still magic in the world and we can all fight for change together. Publication is set for spring 2024; Adam Schear at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Regan Winter at Disney-Hyperion has bought world rights to Kitty vs. Kindergarten and an untitled second picture book, written by Martha Freeman (l.) and illustrated by Eda Kaban, about an irascible Kitty who fights tooth and claw against change but learns that the love of family is always a constant. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired, at auction, world rights to My Guncle and Me by Jonathan Merritt (l.), illustrated by Joanna Carillo. This picture book about a boy and his gay uncle reminds us that our differences are what make us special. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Christopher Ferebee at the Christopher Ferebee Agency represented the author and illustrator.
Elizabeth Kribs at Tundra Books has bought world rights to Honk Honk, Beep Beep, Putter Putt by Rukhsana Khan (l.), illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, a picture book journey through the big-city streets of Karachi, where vehicles of all types have their own special language to properly negotiate the boisterous traffic. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Amy Tompkins and Rob Firing at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Jessica Echeverria at Lee and Low has acquired picture book biography Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People, written and illustrated by Aixa Perez-Prado (City Feet). Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa's powerful voice defended and inspired the most vulnerable Latin Americans in their struggle for justice and freedom. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency sold world rights.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has bought world rights to It's Your Time, a board book about growing up by Dianne White (l.), illustrated by Nanette Regan, that empowers readers by telling them that now is their time—their time to go off into the world and be the bold and brave person they are. Publication is set for spring 2024; Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Emily Fernandez at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Sarah McCabe at McElderry Books has acquired world English rights to the first two books in Rebekah McKendry (l.) and David Ian McKendry (c.)'s Pretty Evil YA graphic novel series, illustrated by Tim Seely (r.). Mallori is the ultimate teen star with a platinum-selling singing career. But when her mother goes missing, Mallori discovers that she was living a double life as both Mallori's manager and a demon slayer—and the only way Mallori can save her is to take up where her mom left off. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the authors, and the illustrator represented himself.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has bought YA contemporary novel With Love & Mischief by Derek Milman. A southern transplant at a New England boarding school falls for a fellow rushee when both young men pledge the same elite Secret Society. When the escalating demands of rush lead to a high-profile kidnapping, he'll have to decide what—and who—he is willing to give up to belong. Publication is tentatively set for spring 2024; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Kelsey Horton at Delacorte has acquired, in an exclusive submission, I Think I Love You author Auriane Desombre's next queer YA rom-com, I Love You S'more, in which a teen has her heart broken after her high school sweetheart turned celebrity cheats on her, and she finds herself swept up in a swoony romance at summer camp with another counselor. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has bought, in an exclusive submission, Sundiata, a debut novel by journalist Steven Underwood, author of the forthcoming memoir Forever for the Culture; Sundiata is a YA retelling of the true story of the first king of Mali. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Eric Smith at P.S. Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Lyn Miller-Lachmann's (Torch) YA historical novel-in-verse Eyes Open, set in 1960s Portugal under the Salazar dictatorship. When her boyfriend is imprisoned as a political dissident, 16-year-old poet Sónia must confront her society's dangers and inequalities, grappling with the difference between supporting someone else's activism and taking a stand in her own right. Publication is set for spring 2024; Jacqui Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency handled the deal.
Alex Aceves at Holiday House has bought Rap Dad author Juan Vidal's YA debut, A Second Chance on Earth. A novel-in-verse, the story follows 16-year-old Marcos Cadena who travels from Miami to Cartagena, Colombia to spread the ashes of his late father. Armed with a well-worn copy of his father's favorite novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude, Marcos embarks on a journey to connect with his homeland and come to grips with the tragedy. It's slated for fall 2024; Alex Slater at Greenburger Kids did the deal for world rights.
Stacy Abrams at Entangled Teen has acquired word rights to Witty in Pink by Erica George (The Edge of Summer), a historical YA rom-com in which a young woman intent on starting her own business in Regency England must combine forces with her childhood archnemesis, who could use her help matchmaking him with a wealthy heiress, until sparks fly between them. Publication is scheduled for 2024; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Arthur A. Levine at Levine Querido has bought The Boy from Clearwater, first in a series by Yu Pei-Yun and Zhou Jian-Xin, translated from Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese by Lin King. This YA graphic memoir details the story of Tsai Kun-Lin, a political victim of the White Terror, as he lived through the occupation of present-day Taiwan and was sentenced to jail for attending a high school book club. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Pei-Shan Huang at Sloworks Publishing negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Karen Wojtyla at McElderry Books has acquired Ellen Potter's new chapter book series, Squirlish, for fans of Sophie Mouse and Critter Club. The Girl in the Tree, the first book in this illustrated series, follows Cordelia, a girl raised by squirrels in Central Park as she tries to find her place in the human world. Publication is slated for June 2023; Alice Tasman at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency did the three-book deal for North American rights.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has bought, in a two-book deal, Zahra Marwan's picture book The Fisherman's New Year. On the longest day of the year, on Qshem Island in the Persian Gulf, villagers take nothing from the sea, and instead of fishing, they spend the day dancing, celebrating, and giving thanks for the bounty of nature. Publication is set for winter 2025; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency sold world rights.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus has acquired Whose Nose? and Whose Eyes?, written and illustrated by Kristina Jones. In black, white, and a little bit of red, these two board books introduce backyard animals in a high-contrast environment specially geared for newborn eyes. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary Agency sold world rights.
Sara Sargent at Random House has bought, at auction, world rights to entrepreneur April Showers's (l.) Afro Unicorn book series, illustrated by Anthony Conley, including picture books and board books, based on the lifestyle brand Afro Unicorn, and created to remind children of color how unique, divine, and magical they are. Publication of the first three books in the six-book deal is planned for fall 2023; Karen Kilpatrick at East West Literary Agency did the deal.
Tracy Mack at Scholastic Press has acquired world rights to Moo Hoo by Audrey Perrott (l.), illustrated by Ross Burach, creator of the Very Impatient Caterpillar series. Milton the bull cries all the time—when he's sad, glad, silly, nervous, embarrassed, you name it— but when a weepy sheep shows him it's okay to be who he is, tears, fears, feelings and all, he's so happy… he could cry. Publication is set for spring 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has bought world rights to Springtime in KINDergarten: See How Much You've Grown! by Vera Ahiyya (l.), illustrated by Joey Chou, a picture book celebrating all the amazing ways children grow throughout the school year. Publication is slated for March 2024; Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Joni Sussman at Kar-Ben has acquired world rights to Violin of Hope by Ella Schwartz (l.), illustrated by Juliana Oakley. It tells the story of a violin that is taken away from a family during the Holocaust and is restored by luthiers, based on a real organization that restores Holocaust-era violins and an orchestra that tours the country playing them. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Do You Even Know Me? by Amira's Picture Day author Reem Faruqi (l.), in which Salma hears the word Muslim over and over again on TV, and she worries, especially when she gets picked on at school. But she learns to speak up and live up to her name, which means peace. Ani Bushry will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2024. Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Sourcebooks eXplore has acquired world rights to Minda's Record-Setting Race by Minda Dentler (l.), illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin, a picture book that follows the author's journey from being an orphan in India with polio to becoming the first female wheelchair athlete to complete the Ironman World Championship triathlon in Hawaii. Publication is set for spring 2024; Kevin O'Connor at O'Connor Literary Agency represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Autumn Allen at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Copy That, Copy Cat! by debut author Katrina Tangen (l.), illustrated by Giulia Orecchia, a picture book of biomimicry with predictive riddles and page-turn surprises. Publication is slated for fall 2023; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has acquired world rights to Wild at Heart by Evan Griffith (l.), illustrated by Anna Bron, a picture book biography that tells the story of Olaus and Mardy Murie, American conservationists whose radical ideas changed the way we think about nature. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has bought world rights to Tell Me About Space and Tell Me About Oceans by Lisa Varchol Perron (l.), illustrated by Jennifer Falkner, two nonfiction board books in which a child asks their grownup about the wonders of the world. Publication is planned for fall 2023 and spring 2024; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
