Ruta Rimas at Razorbill has acquired, in a preempt, debut author Brooke Archer's post-apocalyptic YA sapphic romance Hearts Still Beating and an untitled novel. In Hearts Still Beating, 17-year-old Mara is mostly dead, infected with a pathogen that has turned her and others into violent monsters. When a cure is discovered, she is resettled where her ex-best friend and first love, Rory, now lives. The two young women must learn to survive together or risk losing the girl they fell in love with all over again. Publication is set for spring 2024; Penelope Burns at Gelfman Schneider sold world English rights.
Kate Prosswimmer at McElderry Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Future Tense by F.T. Lukens (So This Is Ever After), a contemporary YA fantasy pitched as Wednesday meets Heartstopper, in which a psychic teenager surrounded by supernatural students must use his abilities to solve a murder. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Eva Scalzo at Speilburg Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Calista Brill at First Second has acquired world rights to You Belong Here, Sara Phoebe Miller (l.) and Morgan Beem's YA graphic novel about Essie Rosen, who goes through all of the problems a teen does during their senior year: boy problems, college applications and trying to find herself; Steve Foxe will also edit. Publication is planned for 2024; the authors were unagented.
Kristen Pettit, while at HarperCollins, bought Gia Gordon's YA contemporary novel The Redemption of Daya Keane, a sapphic romance set against the backdrop of a small Southwestern town and its influential Evangelical church; Clare Vaughn will complete edits. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Fiona Simpson at Wattpad Books has acquired Playin' Hard by Whitney Grandison (A Love Hate Thing), a YA novel about a budding romance between the school's star athlete and his tough, no-nonsense female classmate. Publication is scheduled for November 2024; Uwe Stender at Triada US brokered the deal for world rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has bought Lady Dragon by A.M. Strickland. In this sapphic YA romantasy, two new leaders coming of age in war-scarred lands—a reluctant human princess and the favored contender for the draconic queenship—must grapple with betraying their clashing nations or their unexpected feelings for each other. Publication is set for spring 2025; Hannah Bowman at Liza Dawson Associates negotiated the deal for world rights.
Megan Brown at IDW has acquired Finishing School, Casey Gilly's (l.) debut YA graphic novel, illustrated by Rye Hickman. When most horror stories end, there's a single survivor still standing, having beaten the odds. But what happens to that survivor after the story is over? At Belthorne Academy, final girls learn to utilize their experiences with the supernatural to learn how to defeat it. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Dara Hyde at Hill Nadell Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought, at auction, YA novelist Marieke Nijkamp's debut middle-grade prose novel, Splinter & Ash. Splinter, a nonbinary tween, wants nothing more than to be a knight. Ash, a disabled princess, wants nothing more than to find her place in a court she barely knows. The two find solace and friendship in each other, only to find their mettle tested when the princess is kidnapped and secrets that could send the kingdom of Calinor crumbling into war and ruin are revealed. The first in the series is slated for fall 2024; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media did the three-book deal for world English rights.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired Pura Belpré Honoree Rebecca Balcárcel's middle-grade novel Sunchild. When Guatemalan adoptee Aura visits her home country, she discovers that her latent ability to contact ancestors and spirits can help her village's fight to prevent environmental devastation. A journey through the forest to confront a villain teaches her a truth: four parents have shaped her, but she belongs to no one—she's a free soul, a child of the sun. Publication is set for fall 2024; Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates negotiated the deal for world English and Spanish rights.
David Linker at HarperCollins has bought My Sister the Freak, a debut middle-grade graphic novel written and illustrated by Dani Jones. Mary Seaver and her sister, Al, are typical sisters until alien visitors arrive in their hometown and unearth a secret of galactic proportions, and the complex relationship between a middle-school sister and her older high-school sister is put to the test. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 brokered the deal for world rights.
Tara Walker at Tundra Books has acquired North American rights to Ploof, the first in an interactive picture book series that follows a friendly cloud who needs a bit of help navigating their feelings. Ben Clanton (l.) (the Narwhal and Jelly series) and Science Explorers co-creator Andy Chou Musser will co-write and co-illustrate. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal.
Rosemary Brosnan and Cynthia Leitich Smith at HarperCollins/Heartdrum have bought world rights to A Journey of Pokni's Gifts, a picture book by Stacy Wells (l.) (Choctaw), co-author of Stronger Than, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw). When Issi, a Choctaw girl, and her mother take the train back to visit her grandmother, Issi asks questions about land ownership as her gift for her pokni embodies playful mischief in the train car. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Savannah Brooks at KT Literary represented the author, and Studio Goodwin-Sturges represented the illustrator.
Maria Russo at Astra/Minerva has acquired world rights for The Kitten Story by Emily Jenkins (l.) (A Greyhound, A Groundhog), illustrated by debut illustrator Brittany Cicchese. In this picture book, a cat-loving family navigates disagreements, big decisions, and surprises on the path to bringing home their very own pet. Publication is set for fall 2023; Elizabeth Kaplan at Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the artist.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely (l.), illustrated by Matt James, a picture book about a girl and her mother living in their car in a park, watched over by an owl. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the illustrator.
Grace Kendall at FSG has acquired world rights to author-illustrator Supriya Kelkar's Thank You, Teachers, a picture book about a young student recalling a year of ups and downs at school for both the student and her teachers, as the same sentence and sentiments tell both the child's story and the teachers', showing how even through the smallest daily events, this vital connection between kids and their educators can change lives. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has bought author-illustrator Kerisa Greene's next picture book, Legendary Cakes, about two young siblings who learn the meaning behind making bánh chưng during Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, and celebrate their culture through food, traditions, and storytelling. Publication is planned for winter 2025; Analieze Cervantes at Harvey Klinger Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to The Word Wombats by Beth Ferry (l.), illustrated by Lori Nichols, a picture book about wombats who love words and are on a quest to turn the lackluster vocabulary and surroundings of their fellow woodland friends into a more descriptive and exciting set of circumstances. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has bought world rights, at auction, to Small Things Mended by Casey W. Robinson (l.), illustrated by Nancy Whitesides, a picture book pitched as Amos McGee meets The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles. When a kind but lonely man offers to repair his neighbors' gizmos, he's soon asked to fix the hardest thing of all—a broken heart. Publication is set for spring 2024; Rick Margolis at Rising Bear Literary represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Charlotte Roos at Random House Studio has acquired world English rights to Ghouldilocks and the Three Ghosts by Annie Sullivan (l.), illustrated by Paula J. Becker, a retelling of the classic Goldilocks story in which Ghouldilocks explores a haunted mansion. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Kendra Levin at Simon & Schuster has bought, in a preempt, world rights to We Are the Builders!, a debut picture book by Deepa Iyer (l.), illustrated by Romina Galotta. Based on Iyer's innovative social change map and ecosystem framework, the book invites children to creatively imagine the types of roles they could play for positive change in their own communities, such as storytellers, visionaries, and builders. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Tanusri Prasanna at DeFiore & Company represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb (l.), illustrated by Fateme Mokhles. It's picture day at school, and first grader Rostam is worried about what his classmates will think if he wears his Baba's childhood pusteen, a special embroidered sheepskin jacket. Publication is slated for summer 2024; the author represented himself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has bought world rights to My Afro Is a Rising Sun by Yaram Yahu (l.), illustrated by DeAnn Wiley, a picture book celebrating Black hair and heritage through the lens of a boy and his afro. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Lary Rosenblatt and Barbara Stewart at 22MediaWorks represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has acquired world rights to Free Museum Day by Ariel Vanece (l.), illustrated by Tatiana Gardel. When Alyce's grandfather's mobility begins to deteriorate due to MS, Alyce worries that Free Museum Day will never be the same. So, she comes up with new things to do, but Grandpa has a better idea. Publication is set for spring 2025; Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Melissa Manlove at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to poet and anthologist Nadine Pinede's (l.) The Earth Is a Living Thing: Black Poets Celebrate Nature and Belonging. This poetry anthology, inspired by the Christian Cooper incident and the Black Birder movement, will be illustrated by Leila Rose Fanner and published as a picture book for ages eight and older. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and the artist represented herself.
Sunita Apte at Reycraft has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to Build a Sandcastle by author and poet Eileen Meyer (l.) (The Superlative A. Lincoln), illustrated by Manica Musil, which showcases STEM insights of the science behind the favorite summer pastime of building sandcastles. Publication is slated for 2025; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids has bought world English rights to Zara's Wash Day and Zion's Crown, the first two books in the Know Your Hairitage series by Zenda Walker (l.), illustrated by Princess Karibo. Publication is scheduled for June and September 2024; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Amanda Hendon at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep by Jeanne Walker Harvey (l.), illustrated by Melodie Stacey, a picture book about Else Bostelmann's fantastical marine illustrations of deep-sea creatures that blend art and creativity with science and adventure. Publication is set for spring 2024; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world rights to Birds of a Feather by Fern Wexler (l.), illustrated by Kelsey Buzzell, a nonfiction picture book that showcases the diversity of bird families. Publication is planned for spring 2025; the author represented themself, and Nicole A. Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired The Dangerous Ones by Lauren Blackwood, a fantasy set against the backdrop of the Civil War, in which 18-year-old Jerusalem seeks revenge against the vampire who enslaved her family, and must work alongside the last person she ever expected to trust—Alexei, the handsome Union vampire she can't help but fall for. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Lauren Spieller, now at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management, negotiated the six-figure deal for world English rights while at Triada US.
Alice Jerman at HarperTeen has bought, in an exclusive submission, June CL Tan's diaspora folklore-inspired contemporary fantasy duology, Darker by Four, pitched as the Shadowhunter Chronicles meets the Chinese underworld. In a world where gods and revenants roam city streets, an Exorcist-in-training makes a deal with a trickster death god to regain the magic she lost—and save the life of the boy who stole it. Publication is set for winter 2024; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the two-book, six-figure deal for world English rights.
Polo Orozco at Putnam has acquired, in a preempt, A Spin of Fate, a high-fantasy trilogy by debut author Ambika Vora-Nagino, writing as A.A. Vora. Loosely inspired by Indian philosophy and Japanese manga, the series is set in a world that segregates beings into upper realms of peace and lower realms of strife. The story follows three troubled teens who join a rebel group fighting to break the laws of the universe—all while battling malevolent beasts, power-hungry warlords, and at times each other. Book one is slated for summer 2024; Jon Cobb at HG Literary handled the three-book deal for North American rights.
Kirsten Pettit while at HarperCollins bought The Escape by Jan Gangsei, to be edited by Erica Sussman. Told in reverse chronological order, a scholarship kid from an elite private school spends her spring break on a mega yacht with the popular girls. When one of them ends up dead, she's forced to sort through her own hazy memories to determine whether she actually committed murder. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Mandy Hubbard at Emerald City Literary sold world English rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street has acquired Wrong Answers Only by Tobias Madden (Anything but Fine), about a queer teen overachiever whose life takes an unexpected turn when he's sent to live on a cruise ship with his estranged uncle following a series of panic attacks. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management brokered the deal for North American rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Windy Creek Stables, a three-book middle-grade series by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson. Centered on a rural Virginia riding school, the series features a diverse cast of young equestrians as they navigate friendships, rivalries, and independence. Publication will begin in winter 2025; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Joy Peskin at FSG has bought, in an exclusive submission, the middle-grade novel Slouch by Christina Wyman (Jawbreaker). Slouch follows a seventh grade girl whose four-inch summer growth spurt, and accompanying outward signs of womanhood, begin drawing unwanted attention from family, friends, and strangers. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary did the deal for world rights.
Kelly Loughman at Holiday House has acquired Starry, Starry Heist by Karen Briner, a middle grade novel about two friends who must travel back in time to save "Starry Night"—which is in danger of never having existed—to nudge Van Gogh's mind into creating the masterpiece that a shadowy Wretch seeks to wipe forever from time and memory. Publication is set for fall 2024; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Megan Brown at IDW has bought the debut middle grade graphic novel Weird! by author-illustrator Indira Dudley. When sixth grader Indira is introduced to the cool new girl as "weird," she determines to transform herself into a perfectly normal 11-year-old to survive middle school. But how long can Indira keep up her ruse before her new friends find out who she really is? Publication is planned for spring 2026; Jessica Mileo at Inkwell Management handled the deal for world rights.
JoAnne Banducci at University of Nevada Press has acquired Phantom Stallion author Terri Farley's Horse Girl: How Velma Bronn Became Wild Horse Annie and Outsmarted the Mustang Killers of the West, an updated middle grade biography of the seminal wild horse-rights activist, based on unpublished personal papers. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Regan Winter at Disney-Hyperion has bought the Duck and Moose early graphic reader series by debut author-illustrator Kirk Reedstrom. Quiet-loving Moose's life is turned upside down by free-wheeling Duck, who makes himself a little too at home. The two will need to put their differences aside if they're ever going to be neighbors… or friends. Publication of the first two books is scheduled for spring 2024; Ana Crespo at East West Literary Agency negotiated the three-book deal for world rights.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Prunella by Beth Ferry (l.), illustrated by Claire Keane, in which Prunella, born with a purple thumb instead of green, grows plants that are particularly prickly, stickily, and stinky, and not at all inviting, much like herself, until a few like-minded kids worm their way into her garden and quite possibly her heart. Publication is set for summer 2024; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Angus Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to the picture book We Sing from the Heart: How The Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court by Mia Wenjen (l.), illustrated by Victor Bizar Gomez. The book details the story of Simon Tam and his battle to claim the name of his band, which went all the way to the highest court in the country. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Lary Rosenblatt at 22MediaWorks represented the author, and Bizar Gomez represented himself.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to I Worked Hard on That! by Robyn Wall (l.), illustrated by A.N. Kang, a picture book that follows a spider who sets out to make a web masterpiece and learns something important about the creative process along the way. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Monica Perez while at Charlesbridge bought world rights to picture book A Squawk of Spanish by Gabriella Aldeman (l.), illustrated by Romina Galotta; Karen Boss will edit. Max finds his voice in Spanish, with the help of his grandmother's talkative parrot, Lorito. Publication is set for summer 2024 with a simultaneous publication of Un graznido en español/A Squawk of Spanish, a bilingual edition; Delia Berrigan at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Full Circle: Creation Migration and Coming Home by Elisa Boxer (l.), illustrated by Vivian Mineker. This picture book looks at the phenomenon of natal homing, where animals journey thousands of miles away, only to return to the exact same spot where they were born when it's time to start their own families. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency represented the author, and Robyn Newton at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Jess Harold at Henry Holt has bought, at auction, Peter Cheong's picture book Where We Can Hear the Giants Sing, in which a girl is given a magical gift to explore underwater mysteries alongside a new friend with the gentle and loving reminder that home is a place you can always come back to. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights excluding ANZ.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired Otherwise Known as Judy the Great by author-illustrator Selina Alko. The picture book biography will focus on the childhood of trailblazing author Judy Blume, and how it influenced her journey to write books on challenging topics and become a guidepost for generations. Publication is slated for winter 2025; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Kait Feldmann while at Scholastic bought Between Words by debut author-illustrator Saki Tanaka; Clarissa Wong will edit after Jess Harold stepped in as interim editor. The author incorporates her own experiences as a child living in several countries in this fantastical journey that explores feeling like an outsider and the resilience in connecting through the magic ways where words are not needed. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Kate Jacobs while at Roaring Brook bought world rights to Sculpting a Life: The Story of Ruth Asawa, written by Caroline McAlister (l.) and illustrated by Jamie Green (Mushroom Rain); Emily Feinberg will edit. The picture book biography traces budding artist Asawa's journey from a Japanese American Incarceration camp to the legendary Black Mountain College, and, ultimately, to the creation of her iconic woven wire sculptures. Publication is set for 2025; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented Green.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has acquired world rights to Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold by University of Kansas English professor Giselle Anatol (l.), illustrated by Coretta Scott King Honoree Raissa Figueroa. Small-Girl Toni celebrates the rich and prolific works of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison through a fictionalized narrative about young Toni's quest to change the world with her stories, starting with her very own town. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the author, and Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Zero! The Number That Almost Wasn't by Sarah Albee (l.), illustrated by Chris Hsu, a nonfiction picture book about the history of the concept of zero. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Shoshana Rosa's Family Day by Cate Berry (l.) and Stephanie Pearmain (c.), illustrated by Alejandra Ruiz (r.). The book follows a child who learns about her blended Mexican and Jewish identity through her Bubbe and Abuela for a school project, discovering all the richness in her mixed identity. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Wendi Gu at GreenburgerKids represented the authors, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Bobbie Bensur at Paw Prints has bought world rights to Minivan Mix-up by debut author Juliana Gaddis (l.), illustrated by John Joseph, the story of two families with nearly identical minivans who unknowingly switch vehicles for the day when their respective toddlers mischievously swap key fobs at the grocery store. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; the author is unagented, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 Art & Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
