David Levithan at Scholastic has acquired world rights to I'm Going Through Something, the debut graphic novel by intersex activist Hans Lindahl (l.), illustrated by cartoonist Chan Chau. The book follows a 16-year-old artist navigating an adolescence in which puberty never happens. Publication is projected for summer 2027; Jessica Regel at Helm Literary represented the author, and Molly O'Neill at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Karen Chaplin at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has bought, in a preempt, Cassandra James's YA debut Capitana, a fantasy inspired by Florida folklore of Captain Gasparilla, which follows Ximena Reale, the daughter of executed pirates and top candidate at La Academia, who has trained to become a seafaring hunter to capture pirates pillaging the Luzan Empire before setting off on a journey that challenges everything she's been told. Publication is set for early 2025 with a sequel in 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House sold North American rights.
Jody Corbett at Scholastic Press has acquired Lamar Giles's YA horror novel Ruin Road, described as Stephen King's Needful Things meets Friday Night Lights, in which a Black football player's wish to no longer scare people goes wrong, leading the newly fearless around him to act out in disturbing ways. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Nicolás Ore-Giron and Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook have bought Rebecca Coffindaffer's YA fantasy The Bloody and the Damned. Val, a deadly assassin wrestling with their suppressed heart of gold, will do anything to get their sisters back from a notorious gang of outlaws they double-crossed, even if it means teaming up with their ex-childhood-best-friend who broke their heart, aimed at fans of Hell Followed with Us and Iron Widow. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary did the deal for North American rights.
Laura Schreiber at Union Square Kids has acquired, in a preempt, debut author Amber Clement's Fortune's Kiss, a YA fantasy pitched for fans of Caraval and Hotel Magnifique, set in a world inspired by 18th- and 19th-century Mexico. It follows two best friends who wager their lives—and risk their friendship—in a deadly game of Lotería at a magical gambling house in order to escape the dangers of their circumstances. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media represents Electric Postcard Entertainment and sold North American rights.
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has bought Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven, a YA fantasy romance that follows a reincarnated soul who has been killed before her 18th birthday in every past life, and must find the centuries-old enemy who hunts her, break the curse that binds their fates together, and try hard not to fall in love with them—again. Publication is set for winter 2025; Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn Agency brokered the six-figure, two-book deal for North American rights.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Fire has acquired world English rights to We Were Warned by Chelsea Ichaso (They're Watching You), a YA thriller about a girl who searches for the truth behind the mysterious deaths of her classmates, who died after exploring the ruins of a long-abandoned seaside resort. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Uwe Stender at Triada US handled the two-book deal.
Brendan Deneen at Blackstone, in partnership with Valiant Entertainment, has bought Sarah Raughley's Livewire, a YA novel adaptation of the comic superhero, about a teen girl with technopathic powers who becomes the ward of the incredibly wealthy Toyo Harada, only to discover that he has nefarious plans for her (and the world). Publication is slated for fall 2025; Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media negotiated the deal for world rights.
Joshua Dean Perry at Tiny Ghost Press has acquired world English rights to The Blade That Binds Us, a dark romantic queer YA fantasy by Leah Thomas (l.) and Kali Wallace. When village boy Siggi inadvertently saves the life of stoic witch Hrafn, their lives become entwined, and they traverse an eerie country inspired by Iceland and its magical folklore, searching for Siggi's missing brother. Publication is planned for fall 2025.
Rebecca Kuss at Disney-Hyperion has bought, at auction, Dreamslinger, the start of a middle grade fantasy series by Graci Kim. Pitched as X-Men meets Pokémon, it tells the story of 14-year-old Aria Love, who was born with a genetic mutation that turns her dreams into real-life superpowers. Her fight to find her place in the world, and in her family, leads her to the Royal League of Dreamslingers—but to be accepted as one of them, she must survive a competition that puts her powers to the ultimate test. Publication is set for spring 2025; Jodi Reamer at Writers House did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Emily Seife at Scholastic Press has acquired The Girl in the Wall, a middle grade novel in verse by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Good Different). When a neurodivergent girl discovers a ghost living in her grandmother's walls who seems determined to destroy the house, the family, and the girl's relationship with her grandmother, she must uncover what the ghost wants and what secrets her grandmother is keeping. Publication is scheduled for 2025; Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management sold world rights.
Ardyce Alspach at Union Square Kids has bought The Beat I Drum by Dusti Bowling, a middle grade novel featuring Connor from the Life of a Cactus series. In the story, a 14-year-old boy with Tourette Syndrome navigates family changes and a new school where kids don't understand his tics, finding solace in a pair of drumsticks and the power of forgiveness. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency handled the two-book deal for world rights.
Rebecca Davis at Astra/Wordsong has acquired world rights to Beware the Dragon and the Nozzlewock: A Funny Graphic Novel Poetry Collection Full of Surprising Characters by Geisel Honoree Vikram Madan, a collection of poems featuring recurring (and unusual) characters and subplots, illustrated in graphic novel format. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has bought, in an exclusive submission, Books Good Enough for Children, a middle grade work about the life and impact of children's editor Ursula Nordstrom, who unflinchingly published groundbreaking books, by debut author Nancy Hudgins. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Karen Lotz at Candlewick Press and Deirdre McDermott at Walker Books UK have jointly acquired A Dictionary Story, written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (l.) and Sam Winston, who collaborated on A Child of Books. In the picture book, Dictionary's desire to tell a story like other books results in mayhem until her friend Alphabet helps bring calm and order to Dictionary's pages once again. Simultaneous U.S. and U.K. publication is set for August 2024; Paul Moreton at Bell Lomax Moreton did the deal for world rights.
Anne Hoppe at HarperCollins/Allida has bought, at auction, world rights to Made for More by Chloe Ito Ward (l.), illustrated by Gael Abary, a picture book drawing on the creators' lives in Hawaii that speaks to the journey of immigration, loving one's skin, and how scars, freckles, and color share a story about who we are, where we're from, and where we've been. Publication is slated for winter 2025; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired Ramadan Rain by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow (l.), illustrated by Aliaa Betawi, in which a girl learns that family and community, and even rain, are gifts and that duas said on a rainy day get answered—especially during Ramadan. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the illustrator.
Marilyn Brigham at Amazon/Two Lions has bought world rights to Goats Afloat by Lezlie Evans (l.), illustrated by Julia Patton, a picture book about five adventurous goats who clip-clop into a boat to take a birthday cake to their Granny Goat; their resilience and determination are tested when everything goes awry. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has acquired world rights to We Are the Keystones by Katy Duffield (l.), illustrated by Hannah Salyer, an exploration of the special keystone species—such as grizzly bears, elephants, and even hummingbirds—that enable other animals and ecosystems to thrive. Publication is set for fall 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought world rights for Plight of the Pelican: How Science Saved a Species, by Jessica Stremer (l.) and Gordy Wright, creators of Great Carrier Reef. The new book explores how scientists discovered the cause behind a decline in bird populations, a chemical called DDT, initiating one of the biggest grassroots environmental movements in U.S. history and the creation of the Endangered Species Act. It's slated for spring 2025; Natascha Morris at the Tobias Agency represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Stephanie Cohen and Meghan McCullough while at Inkyard acquired, and Elizabeth Agyemang at HarperTeen is editing, Where We Go at Night by debut author Ikwo Ntekim, a YA contemporary fantasy about a teen girl, Trixie, who finds herself stuck in the middle of a Fae family feud. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Quressa Robinson at Folio Literary Management/Folio Jr. sold North American rights.
Ruta Rimas at Putnam has bought, in an exclusive submission, Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker, a YA queer horror novel that follows two friends who, in the wake of the death of their best friend, discover that a malicious spirit has stolen their memories of being queer. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Lanie Davis at Alloy Entertainment brokered the deal for North American rights on behalf of Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired No Brain the Same: Young Neurodivergent Activists Shaping Our Future, an anthology edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf (l.), Keila V. Dawson (c.), and Jeanette Bradley (r.), and illustrated by Bradley, profiling in poems and prose 14 young neurodivergent activists including Lydia X. Z. Brown, autistic advocate for intersectional disability rights; Billie Eilish, musician with Tourette’s using her platform to fight climate change; and Connor DeWolfe, TikTok ADHD humorist. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt sold world rights, with publication planned for summer 2026.
David Linker at HarperCollins has bought My Life as a Creepy Kid by Caleb Roehrig (Teach the Torches to Burn), a middle grade horror novel about Edgar Alden (aka "Poe"), a 12-year-old loner whose life is turned upside when his family buys the dilapidated house previously owned by a notorious recluse with the goal of "fixing it up." But fixing it up is the least of their problems when Poe learns of the treasure that may be buried in their basement and meets the dead girl left behind to protect it. Publication is set for summer 2025; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio and Temple Hill Entertainment handled the deal for world rights.
Tracy Mack at Scholastic Press has acquired Ultraviolet by International Latino Book Award winner Aida Salazar (The Moon Within). The middle grade book follows 13-year-old, Elio Solis, a boy who experiences his first love in ultraviolet colors but then faces his first heartache along with the many changes in body and spirit that come with growing up. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for English and Spanish North American rights.
Chris Duffy at Union Square Kids has bought Jed Alexander's The Black Market, a darkly comic illustrated middle-grade contemporary fantasy about 10-year-old Martin who discovers a strange marketplace that only appears on Halloween night and the unusual find he purchases there that turns his world upside-down. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.
Melissa Manlove at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Black Boy Rising by Brynne Barnes (l.), illustrated by Bryan Collier, an anthem to Black boyhood showcasing the truths and perspectives of historic Black role models, which aims to inspire young men to find their own excellence. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Marcia Wernick at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the artist.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has bought world rights to You and I Are Stars and Night by Kate Hosford (l.), illustrated by Richard Jones, a poetic picture book celebrating the power of love and connection. Publication is set for fall 2025; Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Nicolás Ore-Giron and Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook have acquired world rights to And the Beauty of the World Carried Me, a picture book by Haven Iverson (l.), illustrated by August Zhang. A child finds confidence and bravery on their summer backpacking trips with their family in the Rocky Mountain wilderness. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the artist.
Joy Peskin at FSG has bought, in a preempt, Finding Forgiveness: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Rebecca Gardyn Levington (l.) (Brainstorm!), illustrated by Diana Mayo. The rhyming picture book, set during the Jewish New Year's Tashlich ceremony, is about two sisters learning how to forgive each other and themselves after a terrible argument. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Christine Isteed at Artist Partners represented the illustrator in the two-book deal.
Weslie Turner at Versify has acquired world rights to Stuffies Are Punk Rock!, a picture book by NoNieqa Ramos (l.), illustrated by DeAndra Hodge. An inquisitive young narrator asks older members of his family and community for the answer to one big question: who are stuffed animals for? Publication is planned for fall 2026; Karly Dizon at Fuse Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Nisha's Just-Right Christmas Tree by Jaya Mehta (l.) and Susan Lynn Meyer (c.), illustrated by Parvati Pillai (r.), a holiday story that features a Hindu family picking out a Christmas tree. Nisha and Baba are at odds—she wants a big tree and he wants a small one— but when they surprisingly agree on the same tree, she suddenly isn't so sure. Publication is set for fall 2024; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the authors, and the illustrator represented herself.
Chris Krones at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to The Christmas Pickle, a holiday picture book featuring Dillan Pickle by Malcolm Newsome (l.), illustrated by Nia Gould. Pickle is in a pickle again, but as an actual pickle, he saves the day and replaces the ornament tradition with something even bigger and better that gives a new meaning to the Christmas Pickle for years to come. Publication is slated for fall 2025; James McGowan at Bookends Literary represented the author, and Freddie Dawson at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Kathy Landwehr at Peachtree has bought world rights to This Book Bubbles Over by Nora Nickum (l.), illustrated by Robert Meganck, a nonfiction picture book about bubbles, which may seem flimsy and insubstantial but can also be delicious, useful, or even dangerous. It's scheduled for spring 2025; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has acquired world rights to Sidewalk Chalk by Jen Fier Jasinski (l.), illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti, a picture book that follows a shy child as they join in with other neighborhood children to transform a plain sidewalk path into a vibrant storyscape. Publication is planned for fall 2025; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
