Tiffany Liao at Zando Young Readers/Sweet July Books has won, at auction, Roselle Lim's (Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune) YA debut Celestial Banquet, pitched as Iron Chef meets Lore, set in a Chinese folklore-inspired world in which minor deities walk among us, following a hotheaded noodle chef who competes to create a feast for the gods while battling monsters, cutthroat gourmands, and her own heart. Publication is slated for January 2025; Jenny Bent at the Bent Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Rosemary Brosnan at Heartdrum has acquired Davy June's Legendary Fry Bread Drive-In, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, a YA collection of upbeat, interrelated short stories by Indigenous authors Darcie Little Badger, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, KA Cobell, Christine Derr, AJ Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Andrea L. Rogers, David Robertson, Monique Gray Smith, and Brian Young. Publication is set for summer 2025; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown did the deal for world rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought, at auction, in a six-figure deal, debut author Codie Crowley's horror-infused YA thriller Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch. The biting wit of Jennifer's Body meets #GoodForHer's celebration of girls leaning into their monstrous urges in this novel starring Annie Lane, who's dead—but dead set against going quietly. Annie will stop at nothing to avenge her murder, just as soon as she figures out who put her in the ground. Publication is planned for August 2024; Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author for world English rights.
Carolina Ortiz at HarperTeen has acquired bought world rights to Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar by Anahita Karthik. The debut YA rom-com follows Krishna on a road trip across India to find her summertime crush after discovering he's left her the flirty text she had been dreaming of the night before she’s set to return to America. Publication is scheduled for 2025; Rebecca Podos at Rees Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Camille Kellogg at Bloomsbury has bought world rights at auction to debut author-illustrator Veronica Casson's Grind Like a Girl. Set in New Jersey in 1993, this semi-autobiographical YA graphic novel follows Heather, a transgender high school senior navigating Catholic school, dreams of art school, family dynamics, and confusing crushes, all while finding the courage and community to let people see her for who she really is. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House handled the deal.
Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has acquired Rules for Camouflage by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, a YA novel about a neurodivergent teen who channels her inner octopus to find her way through the intensity of school, friendship, and first love. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world rights.
Desiree Rodriguez at Oni Press has acquired Junepurrr's YA fantasy webcomic series, SubZero, in a three-book graphic novel deal. Sub-Zero details the story of Clove, the last princess of the near-extinct Azure dragon clan, as she marries her sworn enemy, Kyro, the prince of the Crimson dragon clan, in an effort to finally bring peace to her war-torn land. Publication of the first book is set for 2024; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management brokered the deal for world English rights.
Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low/Tu Books has bought Guadalupe García McCall's Seasons of Sisterhood YA trilogy, books set in the world of McCall's 2012 novel Summer of the Mariposas. In the first novel, Fall of the Fireflies, twins Delia and Velia must put aside their differences to fight cucuys, heed the gods, and follow their hearts to save their father, in a horrifying retelling of Antigone. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Nox Winters and the Midnight Wolf by Rochelle Hassan, a middle grade fantasy series in which angry, cynical 12-year-old Nox ventures into a magical forest where it's always nighttime in search of a cure for his twin brother's mysterious illness—and comes face-to-face with deadly cryptids, capricious minor deities, and the terrifying Keepers of the woods. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Erica Bauman at Aevitas Creative Management negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.
Meghan Maria McCullough at Inkyard Press has bought No Place Like Home by Linh S. Nguyễn, a middle grade portal fantasy about Lan, an 11-year-old recent immigrant to Canada from Vietnam who falls into the pages of her latest read and learns she is a budding witch. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Lisa Rundle at Harper Canada handled the deal for U.S. rights.
Connie Hsu and Nicolás Ore-Giron at Roaring Brook have acquired Bad Influence, a middle grade novel by Brigit Young (The Prettiest). A sheltered young teen from a small, suburban town forms an underground book club for banned books with the new kid from New York City who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Publication is set for fall 2024; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
Alison Weiss at Pixel+Ink has bought world rights to National Archive Hunters: The French Four and a sequel by Matthew Landis (The Not So Boring Letters of Private Nobody), which follow 10-year-old twins who become unofficial National Archives "consultants" assisting the FBI's Art Crime Team to help find and recover stolen relics from history and beyond, while hunting for the Moriarty-like figure behind it all. Publication will begin in summer 2024; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency did the deal.
Katherine Easter at Zonderkidz has acquired world rights to Operation: Happy by Jenni L. Walsh (Over and Out). In this middle grade historical novel inspired by the experiences of a young Pearl Harbor survivor, a brave girl copes with wartime and family upheaval by completing a bucket list with her dog. Publication is scheduled for 2024; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Alison Deering at Capstone has bought world rights to Farm Friends, an early chapter book series by Kimberly Derting (l.) and Shelli R. Johannes (c.), illus. by Kristen Humphrey (r.). Farm Friends centers on Poppy, a girl living on a farm with her family and pet goat, Vincent Van Goat, and titles will focus on topics such as goat yoga, gardening, and more. Publication of the first book, Blue-Ribbon Radishes, is set for spring 2024; Lara Perkins and Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the authors, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Maria Modugno at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to Ajó and the Big Box of Crayons, written and illustrated by Àlàbá Ònájìn. This picture book follows a Nigerian boy as he slyly experiments with finding places to draw, staying one step ahead of the grownups watching him. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Gillian Mackenzie at Gillian Mackenzie Literary Agency sold world rights.
Farrin Jacobs at Little, Brown has bought I Lived Inside a Whale, a whimsical picture book debut by Xin Li about finding your own voice and learning how to connect with others. Publication is set for winter 2024; Angharad Kowal Stannus at Kowal Stannus Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Courtney Code at Abrams has acquired O.K. Is Gay, a picture book by author-illustrator Vincent X. Kirsch. It follows Olivio Kipling (aka O. K.), who discovers that words cannot express the joy of loving who he loves. Publication is tentatively planned for spring 2025; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kelly Delaney at Crown has bought Lolly in the Spotlight by Sarah S. Brannen, about a young figure skater who loves being on the ice but freezes when anyone besides her father watches her skate. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Denene Millner at S&S/Denene Millner Books has acquired world rights to Willis Watson Is a Wannabe by Carmen Bogan (l.) (Where's Rodney?), a picture book about everyday heroes as seen through the eyes of a Black boy, illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Elizabeth Law at Holiday House has bought world rights to Goodbye, Hello by Angela H. Dale (l.) (Bus Stop), illustrated by Daniel Wiseman (The World Needs More Purple People), a picture book that follows the 24-hour travel of a child and their family as they return overseas to their military-base home for a long-awaited reunion. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the illustrator.
Jordan Brown at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray/ has acquired world rights to They Built Me for Freedom by Tonya Duncan Ellis (l.), illus. by Jenin Mohammed, a picture book about the history and legacy of Emancipation Park, a site in Houston, Texas, purchased and developed by formerly enslaved people to commemorate Juneteenth. Publication is set for 2024; Sara Megibow at kt literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought That Is Not a Dog by Bea Birdsong (l.), illustrated by Charlie Alder, a picture book about a cat who has been told to stay away from dogs, but keeps making new mysterious friends in his neighborhood (and surprise, surprise, they're all dogs). Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Cecily Kaiser and Nicole Fox of Rise × Penguin Workshop have acquired world rights to Américas Award-winning author Aida Salazar's (l.) board book series, My Living World, illustrated by Caribay M. Benavides (r.). Inspired by Mexican Indigenous wisdom, this series of board books encourages readers to find an honest, heartfelt connection with the natural world. Book one, When Moon Blooms, is planned for fall 2023, followed by a second book on water in 2024, and a third on the sun in 2025. Marietta Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Karen Kaller at IllustrationX represented the illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has bought world rights to Sandhya Acharya's (l.) Living Bridges, a picture book set in the mountains of Meghalaya, India, where one generation teaches the next how to weave the roots of their beloved Jingkieng Jri, ancient man-made bridges made of living tree roots, illustrated by Avani Dwivedi. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Shadra Strickland at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Anna Sargeant at Sourcebooks has acquired world rights to Gifts from the Garbage Truck, a picture book by Andrew Larson (l.) about the creative life of Nelson Molina, an NYC sanitation worker who found over 45,000 objects in the trash to display in his museum for others to enjoy; Oriol Vidal will illustrate. Publication is set for fall 2024; Fiona Kenshole at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Simon Bollinger at Shannon and Associates represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus Ink has bought world rights to Unicycle Dad by Sarah Hovorka (l.), illustrated by Alicia Schwab. This picture book, based on the author's childhood, tells a story comparing a single parent to a unicycle while sharing the inherent struggles and quiet joys of a single-parent, impoverished household. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Kaitlyn Sanchez represented the author, and Melissa Edwards at MLE Consulting represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to Make New Friends by Joshua David Stein (l.) (Solitary Animals), illustrated by Marichiara di Giorgio (The Midnight Fair), a picture book about a shy boy's first week at school and the way he navigates his father's loaded question, "Did you make any new friends?" Publication is planned for fall 2025; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented both the author and the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to The Tide Is Rising: A Climate Movement Anthem by climate activist and rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman (l.), illustrated by Kiki Kita, a picture book rallying cry for all to rise up and act from love in the face of rising tides and a changing climate, based on the author's climate anthem "The Tide Is Rising." Publication is slated for spring 2025. the author represented herself, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Bria Ragin and David and Nicola Yoon at Joy Revolution have acquired debut author Jill Tew's The Dividing Sky, a dual-POV YA sci-fi romance in which a cunning merchant of memories, who deals illegal happiness on the side, seeks refuge outside of a futuristic Boston but is being trailed by the ambitious and charismatic rookie enforcer charged with bringing her to justice. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Mabel Hsu at HarperCollins has bought in an exclusive submission The Cuffing Game by Lyla Lee (I'll Be the One; Flip the Script). Pitched as a K-drama take on Pride and Prejudice, but if Elizabeth and Darcy were forced to work together on a LGBTQ-friendly Love Island-esque reality TV show, this YA rom-com follows bisexual film student Mia Yoon, who needs a star to help generate interest for her show—so in comes the campus heartthrob, Noah Jang. Publication is set for winter 2025; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal for North American rights.
Olivia Valcarce at Inkyard Press has acquired Accidental Demons and a second book in the middle grade fantasy series by debut author Clare Edge. Type 1 diabetic witch Bernadette Crowley's magic—and her family's safety—is threatened when each drop of blood she needs to test her blood sugar accidentally pulls a demon through the Veil to mischievous and mysterious effect. Publication of the first book is scheduled for summer 2024; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency sold world rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought A Monstrous Bedtime by Kerilynn Wilson, author-illustrator of the upcoming YA graphic novel The Faint of Heart. A girl's bedtime routine with her parents is set—one glass of water, one fan whirring gently, one song, and one book—but when the monster living under her bed can't fall asleep, the girl creates a whole new nighttime checklist. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House sold North American rights.
Della Farrell at Holiday House has acquired The Last Kids in Town by Natalie Leif, a debut YA horror novel pitched as Wilder Girls meets Warm Bodies, in which an undead disabled teen bands together with other misfits to escape their deserted West Virginia town, and find the boy he loves before his body decays and he becomes a monster. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Bibi Lewis at Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency brokered the deal for world fights.
Chris Duffy at Union Square Kids has bought, at auction, world rights to Taylor Robin’s YA graphic novel The Hunger on the S.S. Lark, about a vampire and a girl investigating a creature feeding on the working class in the bowels of a 1913 luxury ocean liner. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Kurestin Armada at Root Literary did the two-book deal.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Fire has won in a preempt Perfect Little Monsters by debut author Cindy R X He, along with a second untitled YA novel. When the new girl in town becomes the police's main suspect after her high school's queen bee is murdered, she must find out what the dead girl's friends are hiding before the next person dies. Publication is set for summer 2024; Silvia Molteni at PFD sold North American and audio rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street YA has acquired, in an exclusive submission, A Vile Season by David Ferraro, a YA historical novel, pitched as Bridgerton meets Interview with a Vampire, in which a jaded vampire who has lost his immortality is tasked with wooing the young heir to a dukedom in order to regain his eternal life, but the secrets and scandals of British high society and an intriguing surprise suitor provide obstacles that force him to reevaluate his quest and his heart. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Eva Scalzo at Speilburg Literary handled the deal for world English rights.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has bought Allie Millington's debut middle-grade novel, Olivetti, told from the unique vantage points of a witty typewriter and the lonely, introverted boy on a mission to take them across San Francisco. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Kristen Terrette at Martin Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired D.W. Gillespie's Give Me Something Good to Eat. With echoes of Stranger Things, on Halloween night a boy stumbles into an alternate world where the monsters do the trick or treating as he tries to save his sister—and future generations of children—from an evil witch, while evading gruesome creatures and working with his friends to break a curse that has plagued his town for years. Publication is set for summer 2024; Aimee Ashcraft at Brower Literary & Management did the deal for world English rights.
Samia Fakih at First Second has bought world rights to Don't Be Scared, a middle grade graphic novel by Saadia Faruqi (l.), illustrated by Shadia Amin, centering on a Pakistani American boy who finds new friendships while making a movie about a local haunted house and connects with his father through ghost stories. Publication is scheduled for 2025; Kari Sutherland at KT Literary represented the author, and Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Aimee Lim's debut middle-grade, The Spindle of Fate. When days after her mother's death a talking monkey shows up and reveals to Evie Mei that her mother was the head of a Guild of magical weavers, it is up to Evie to enter the Chinese netherworld, bring her back, and save their family. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media represents Cake Creative and brokered the deal for world English rights.
Bobbie Bensur at Paw Prints has bought a graphic novel series by author-illustrator Rachel DiNunzio in a preempt. In Forsynthia: Rise of the Cupcakes!, DiNunzio introduces readers to a young dragon, and her family, and puts them in adventures that blend science, fantasy, mystery, and fun. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra and Associates sold world English and Spanish rights in the two-book deal.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired, at auction, world rights to Rob Sayegh Jr.'s debut author-illustrated picture book, Dawn Patrol, as well as a second picture book. Dawn Patrol tells a story about a young surfer and the precious time she spends with her feather during their early morning surf sessions. Publication is tentatively scheduled for spring 2025; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Jessica Garrison at Dial Books has bought world English rights to Puff: Journey Around Earth with a Breath of Fresh Air by Emily Kate Moon (Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle). Narrated by a personification of air, the book looks at the science behind Earth's atmosphere. Publication is set for spring 2024; Jennifer Weltz at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency represented the author.
Allyn Johnston at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Can't Stop Kissing That Baby by K.L. Going (l.), illustrated by Fiona Lee, a rhythmic picture book ode to parents and families who love their new babies so much that they just can't stop showering them with affection. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has bought world rights to My Smock Is a Story by Reuben Nantogmah (l.) and Samantha Cleaver (c.), illustrated by Keisha Okafor (r.). This picture book follows a Ghanian American boy who receives his first smock—his Binŋmaa—and celebrates the importance it carries for him and his family. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the authors, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has acquired world rights to Mamiachi and Me by mother-son duo Jolene Gutiérrez (l.) and Dakota Gutiérrez (c.), illustrated by Mirelle Ortega (r.), a picture book about a girl playing in her mother's all-female mariachi band for the first time. Publication is set for fall 2024; Kaitlyn Sanchez, while at Context Literary Agency, represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Tracey Keevan at Union Square Kids has bought world rights to The Vidals Did Not Ask for a Skunk! by Pura Belpré Honor recipient Stephen Briseño (l.), illustrated by Sara Palacios, a picture book about a family who unexpectedly finds themselves host to a skunk after losing a beloved pet, exploring the stages of grief through humor. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the author, and Kendra Marcus and Minju Chang at BookStop Literary represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to The Class with Wings by Paul Fleischman (l.), illustrated by Hannah Salyer. In this picture book, a class follows the migration of a flock of Veeries as they make the long and difficult journey from Brazil to Wisconsin. Publication is planned for fall 2024; the author represented himself, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the artist.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus has bought world rights to Was It a Cat I Saw? by Laura Bontje (l.), illustrated by Emma Lidia Squillari. This palindromic romp is a celebration of words backwards and forwards as it follows one girl's quest to find a missing cat. Publication is slated for spring 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author; and Debbie Bibo at Debbie Bibo Agency represented the illustrator.
Michele McAvoy at The Little Press has acquired world rights to Knight & His Trusty, a debut picture book by Deb Buschman (l.), illustrated by Tom Uleau, which challenges the fairy tale norm: why can't a knight have a trusty alligator, giraffe, armadillo? Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to The Wish Book by Jennifer Adams (l.), illustrated by Sara Gillingham. In this picture book, a child learns different ways to make a wish, as well as some ideas of things to do when your wishes don't come true. Publication is set for fall 2024; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Birch Path Literary represented the author, and Amy Rennert at Amy Rennert Agency represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has acquired world English rights to American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky by Sherri L. Smith (l.) (Flygirl) and Elizabeth Wein (Code Name Verity). It’s the true story of the desegregation of the skies, following a group of determined Black Americans who created a flying club and built their own airfield on Chicago's South Side during the Golden Age of flight. Publication is planned for January 2024; Kirby Kim of Janklow & Nesbit Associates represented Smith, and Ginger Clark represented Wein while at Curtis Brown.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to The Right to Play by Elizabeth Brown (l.), illustrated by Jennifer Amaris. This nonfiction picture book explores the history of public spaces for kids and the emergence of the Playground Movement (spearheaded by Jane Addams), and how she was able to create safe places and change the face of play for all children across the world. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Alyssa Mito Pusey at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Beto's Berry Treasure by Jenny Lacika (l.), illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda, a picture book about a boy who wants his adventurous, pirate-loving sister to sit down and join him for tea, and the math (mapping) skills he uses to achieve his goal. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kate Powell at Astound US represented the artist.
Pam Bobowicz at Workman has bought, with Karen Smith editing, Turn This Book into a Birdfeeder by Lynn Brunelle, an interactive nonfiction book that transforms into a working birdfeeder and introduces science and nature to young readers in a hands-on way. Publication is planned for May 2025; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Christopher Robbin at Familius has acquired Hooray, It's Three Kings Day! by Annette M. Clayton, illustrated by Jone Leal. In this picture book, Sofia, a Latinx girl, is disappointed when her abuela's "surprise" is a tattered family heirloom. As the family shares holiday memories, Sofia begins to see the heirloom in a different light. Publication is set for fall 2024; Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
