Meghan McCullough while at Inkyard bought world English rights to The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake by Mara Rutherford (A Multitude of Dreams), in which 18-year-old inventor Aurelie makes an illegal bargain to save her family, even though every new creation releases a demon into her world, and this one can only be stopped with the help of a reluctant (and annoyingly handsome) demon hunter. Emilia Rhodes at Harper Teen will edit; publication is tentatively set for fall 2025. Uwe Stender at Triada US brokered the six-figure, two-book deal.
Emilia Rhodes at HarperTeen has acquired Myah Hollis's debut YA contemporary novel Not About a Boy. It follows a girl juggling a traumatic past and a new situationship when, sent to live with a wealthy foster family in Manhattan, she's contacted by the twin sister she has no memory of. Peter Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media did the deal for world English rights, for publication in summer 2024.
Britny Perilli at Running Press Kids has bought The Rules as Written by Remi K. England (The One True Me and You), a queer YA romantic comedy in which two nerdy girls in rural Virginia find their characters falling in love in a D&D game, only to discover those feelings outside of the fantasy realm as well, in a celebration of tabletop gaming, finding your people, and claiming the space you deserve. Publication is scheduled for winter 2025; Eric Smith at P.S. Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Irene Vázquez at Levine Querido has acquired Daughter of Doom by Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem (l.), translated from Dutch by Kristen Gehrman. This darkly humorous YA historical adventure in the age of Vikings follows the unlikely friendship between Yrsa, the daughter of a Danish helmsman and Sister Job, a nun. When Sister Job kills a Danish barbarian, they flee across the sea to escape the vengeance of the Danes and their gods. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Luciënne van der Leije at Querido sold world English rights.
Kiara Valdez at First Second has bought President of the Anime Club by Stephanie Evangelista (l.) and Daigo Fukuda, a debut queer coming of age YA graphic novel about a girl in her first year of high school who finds friendship and camaraderie with other anime lovers as she navigates her feelings between two new friends. Publication is planned for 2027; Monica Rodriguez at Context Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding, a graphic guide to gender-affirming care with real-life stories and research-backed advice about chest binding from Gender Queer author Maia Kobabe and University of Michigan professor Sarah Peitzmeier, a practical resource for trans and nonbinary people based on Peitzmeier's academic research. Publication is set for spring 2024; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt brokered the deal for world English rights.
Shaina Olmanson at Lerner/Zest Books has bought environmental speechwriter Rune Kier Nielsen's Speaking on Climate, a YA advocacy guide for young people using their voices for collective climate action by bridging the climate gap using emotions, hard-won lessons from history, and insights from the climate movement. The book is translated and revised from the Danish edition with publication slated for fall 2024; Natalie Kimber at the Rights Factory negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Amy Cloud at Clarion has acquired The Best Friend Bracelet by Nicole D. Collier, a middle grade novel about a 12-year-old who accidentally crafts a magical friendship bracelet that turns anyone who wears it into her best friend, with disastrous—and hilarious—results. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Danielle Chiotti at Upstart Crow Literary sold world rights.
Ruta Rimas at Putnam has bought Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi, a novel in verse about a Syrian American middle-schooler who loves football, his Muslim faith, and his country, and the painful conflict when his identity comes under attack. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Janine Le at Janine Le Literary Agency sold world rights.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Mine Wars by Steve Watkins, a work of middle grade nonfiction about the West Virginia coal miners' fight to secure improved working conditions, increases in pay, and benefits for coal miners. Their struggle culminated in the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in U.S. history. Publication is set for spring 2024; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Andrea Spooner at Little Brown has bought Susan Haas (l.) and Lexi Haas's middle grade memoir, The Year of the Buttered Cat, about how Lexi pieced together the mystery of her severe disability, reclaimed her life, and became a champion for others like her. Publication is scheduled for May 2024; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has acquired world English rights to Earth… Every Other Wednesday by Amy Brown (l.), illustrated by Kennedy Tarrell, a middle grade graphic novel about a girl from Planet Meow who travels to Earth to spend time with her human family, only to find that she's actually staying for a Meowian day—which is equal to one year on Earth. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Elizabeth Rudnick at Gillian MacKenzie Agency represented the author, and Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights for The Perfect Place by Newbery Medalist Matt de la Peña (l.), illustrated by Paola Escobar, a picture book about a boy with a modest home life compared to his private school classmates, who one night is transported to the place where the "perfect people" live. But is it possible that being perfect isn't all it's cracked up to be? It's set for simultaneous publication in English and Spanish; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Amy Kitcherside at Pickled Ink represented the artist.
Liz Kossnar at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to I Am a Highly Dangerous Warrior! by Emmy Award-winning comedy writer Raquel D'Apice (l.), illustrated by Heather Fox, a picture book about a courageous six-year-old who dares to defeat a big bad monster with the help of his trusty security blanket. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has bought world rights to Megabeasts, a wordless picture book by Gideon Sterer (l.), illustrated by Nik Henderson, pitched as Transformers meets The Lorax, with timely environmental takeaways about how to make our world kinder and gentler for all those who live in it—whether furred, feathered, finned, or not. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Claire Tattersfield at Flamingo Books has acquired world rights to It Started with a P by debut author Brittany Pomales (l.), illustrated by Andrew Joyner (Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum). The picture book focuses on a young king who has a nightmare that something beginning with the letter "P" ruins his birthday party, so he rids the entire kingdom of P items: pants, pizza, piranhas, popcorn, and, eventually, people. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Stefanie Molina at Ladderbird Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Kyra Ostendorf at Free Spirit/Teacher Created Materials has bought, in an exclusive three-book deal, the picture book series Mini-Musical Tales from Bird Mountain School by storytellers and musical creators Mary Rand Hess (l.) and Randy Preston (c.), illustrated by Gina Capaldi (r.). Each book—Backstage Magic, Chicken Predicament, and The Great Dance-On—features dramatic narratives, songs, and SEL themes. Publication is planned for winter 2025; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary Agency sold world rights.
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Prayer Is by Tameka Fryer Brown (l.), illustrated by Alleanna Harris, a celebratory picture book that explores the meaning and power of prayer. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has bought world rights to Ahimsa Is Everywhere by Suma Subramaniam (l.), a picture book that explores the concept of ahimsa, a philosophy of universal love, especially in times of adversity. Aparna Varma (Anne and Her Tower of Giraffes) will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2025. Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Tiffany Liao at Zando Young Readers/Hillman Grad Books has acquired world rights to What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice by Jamie McGhee writing as Jay Leslie (l.), illustrated by Coretta Scott King Honoree Loveis Wise. The picture book biography captures the life of Lorraine Hansberry, the activist and influential playwright of A Raisin in the Sun, and her creative journey as a queer, iconic Black artist. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates/GreenburgerKids represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Anna Sargeant at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to Down Syndrome Out Loud, an illustrated biography collection by Melissa Hart (l.), illustrated by María Perera, in which dozens of people with Down Syndrome change assumptions about the disability, showing the world what's possible for them. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to My Name Is Ai Lin by Maria Wen Adcock (l.), illustrated by Yu Ting, a picture book that speaks to how correct pronunciation of a person's name can show respect and inclusivity of one's identity and heritage. Publication is set for fall 2025; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought Aaliya Jaleel's interactive board book Eid Tale, a celebration of the Muslim holiday of Eid featuring gatefolds, die-cut pages, and illustrations centered around different aspects of the holiday. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has acquired world rights to Measure for Measure, a math-themed picture book written and illustrated by Carolyn Fisher. When Blue Whale and Supersaurus hold a contest to see who is longest, desperate measures are called for, they discover there are different units of measure (metric and imperial). Publication is slated for fall 2025; Fisher was unagented.
Julia Recko at Feeding Minds Press has bought Apples for All: A Tree Grafting Story by author-illustrator Mary Peterson, a picture book about a girl who wants apples for applesauce, but her family can't agree on a variety, so together they learn how to grow everyone's favorite apple using grafting. Emma D. Dryden will edit; publication is planned for 2025. Jen Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world English rights.
