Simone Roberts-Payne at Putnam has acquired, in an exclusive submission, You Belong to Me by Hayley Krischer, a YA psychological thriller in which a high schooler dives into a sapphic relationship with a rich, popular girl who draws her into her mom's wellness cult, where something even more sinister is afoot. Publication is set for spring 2025; Emily Sylvan Kim at Prospect Agency did the deal for world rights.
Nicole Ellul at Simon & Schuster has bought Soulmatch by debut author Rebecca Danzenbaker, a YA speculative romance about an 18-year-old genius who reports to a government institute to learn her past lives and future path, and maybe even a soulmate, but leaves surrounded by armed security, doubting both the soul-identification system and herself. Publication is set for spring 2025; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Melanie Nolan at Knopf has acquired, in a six-figure preempt, to Elizabeth Johnson's debut, Enchanting Girl, a YA novel in which Zelda Van Doren is determined to keep her magical gift a secret and teach herself all 438 spells while thwarting her mother's efforts to get her engaged to an eligible young enchanter. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world rights.
Nicolás Ore-Giron and Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook have bought And They Were Roommates, a YA rom-com by Page Powars (The Borrow a Boyfriend Club). Charlie has to keep a low profile at his boys' boarding school if he doesn't want anyone to realize he's transgender and get kicked out. Things only get more complicated when he realizes his new roommate—who happens to be the flirty boy who broke his heart at summer camp before he transitioned—is the one person who might be able to reveal his identity. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Maya Marlette at Scholastic has acquired world rights to The Lonely Below by g. haron davis, a middle grade horror debut featuring a Black, autistic protagonist who uncovers dark secrets plaguing her new school, exploring a deadly accident 50 years in the past that might point to a deeper evil hovering just out of sight in the present. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has bought world rights to You Can Be an Activist by youth activist Charlene Rocha (l.) and Mary Beth Leatherdale (c.), illustrated by Drew Shannon (r.), a guide to getting started in activism and using your passions to make a difference. Publication is planned for fall 2024; the co-authors represented themselves, and Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world rights, in an exclusive submission, to We Leap Together by Christopher Silas Neal, a dual narrative picture book that tells the parallel stories of a mother and son navigating their way through New York City while a whale and her calf swim through New York harbor, until they converge in the same spectacular spot. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Stephen Barr at Writers House negotiated the deal.
Denene Millner at S&S/Denene Millner Books has acquired world rights to Cherise Harris's debut author-illustrated picture book, The Toy Plane. Set in Barbados, the story follows a boy who goes on a fantastical journey as he connects with the memory of his aviator grandmother. Publication is scheduled for 2025; Shadra Strickland at Painted Words brokered the deal for world rights.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought world rights to The Pool Is Cool by America's Favorite Rapping Teacher and author Dwayne Reed (l.), illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice, a bounce-to-the-beat picture book about a young son who helps his father overcome his fear of swimming. Publication is set for summer 2026; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Tom Reale at Michael Sampson Books has bought Max and Mama by Laura Numeroff (l.) (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), illustrated by Masha Sudovykh. It follows two corgis through a day of spending quality time together that includes Max learning to ride his bicycle. Publication is planned for spring 2025; the author and illustrator were unagented.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Woman Behind the Magic: How Lillian Bounds Disney Shaped the Disney Legacy by Brittany Richman (l.), illustrated by Joanie Stone, a picture book biography about the life and work of Lilly Bounds Disney, from her early days as an ink artist in the animation industry to naming Mickey Mouse. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Alexander Slater at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and Claire Easton Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has bought world rights to Ahhh, Milk! by Abbe Starr (l.), illustrated by Evelline Andrya, a nonfiction picture book that takes readers on a journey to discover the many ways milk is harvested, produced and savored throughout the world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; the author represented herself, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
