Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Pick the Lock by Michael L. Printz and Margaret A. Edwards winner A.S. King, a surrealist contemporary YA novel about betrayal and liberation. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich and Bourret negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Denene Millner at S&S/Millner has bought Laced in Gold by Charity Alyse (Other Side of the Tracks), a dark contemporary YA novel about Jabari, a Black teenage boy who is offered his recently deceased cousin's place at an elite prep school. When Jabari realizes his cousin's death might have not been accidental, he proves it by competing in the school's underground competition which is a test of wits, self-control, and willpower, and not everyone comes out of it alive. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Zabé Ellor at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Elizabeth Stranahan at Random House has acquired I Am Not a Vampire (Anymore) by Darcy Miller, a YA fantasy about Lily, who after years of living as a vampire is ready to take on life as a normal high schooler. But when a classmate develops a thirst for blood, Lily knows her past is back to threaten her and her new friends. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Carrie Hannigan and Ellen Goff at HG Literary did the deal for world rights.
Kade Dishmon at Holiday House has bought YA folk horror And the Trees Stare Back by Gigi Griffis (The Wicked Unseen). In the novel, 16-year-old Vik's little sister has been missing for five years after venturing into the cursed forest surrounding her Soviet-occupied Estonian village. When she returns, something is off, and Vik begins to suspect the girl with her sister's face isn't her sister after all. To get answers, she'll have to return to the place she fears the most—the forest—unraveling dark secrets in the process. Publication is set for summer 2025; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Laura Godwin at Godwin Books has acquired world rights to Pals, a middle-grade graphic novel by debut author Lara Robbins (l.) and Lambda Award winner Mike Curato, illustrated by Curato. Based on the co-authors' real-life correspondence as middle-graders, it's the story of two outsiders and their unlikely friendship as they navigate the hurdles and headaches of sixth grade. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group negotiated the deal.
Lisa Yoskowitz at Little, Brown has bought, in an exclusive submission, Franklin & the Fabulous Five by blues musician and NAACP Image Award winner Shawn Amos, a middle grade novel that follows a boy who loves fashion and finds confidence and inspiration in Motown, as he tries to convince his strict father to let him be the costume designer for their family band rather than its lead singer. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management handled the deal for North American rights.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has acquired world rights to Camp Big Top by Pura Belpré Honor winner and circus coach Alexandra Diaz (The Only Road), about five 12-year-old kids from different backgrounds who must band together to save their circus camp from closing down. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Kristin Ostby at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has bought debut middle grade author Jilanne Hoffmann's Heartland, a coming-of-age novel told in parallel timelines through multiple prose and verse voices about a girl on a sixth-generation Iowa farm, the legacy of the 1980s farm crisis, and a rooted-in-reality environmental cover-up that threatens the groundwater of the entire state. Publication is set for fall 2025; Lori Steel at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.
Harold Underdown at Kane Press has acquired, in a four-book deal, The Magic Makers Club by Christine Evans (l.) (The Wish Library) and Laura Zarrin (Wallace and Grace), an illustrated chapter book series about three young witches who start a spell-casting business. The first book, Getting Mixed Up, will be published in June 2025; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency sold world rights.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought Another Tongue, written and illustrated by Eisner Award nominee Yevgenia Nayberg, a picture book that playfully explores languages and the process of learning a new one. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Kelly Pelsue at Morgan Gaynin sold world rights.
Courtney Code at Abrams has acquired world rights to Chloe and the Fireflies by Chris Clarkson (l.), illustrated by Julie Jarema, a picture book about Chloe, a child in foster care, who is used to being the new kid, but this home—with her two dads and her new friends at school—feels different, and she makes a wish on a firefly that she'll get to stay. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Rachel Brooks at BookEnds represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Catherine Gerbasi and Lisa Frenette at HighWater Press have bought world rights to Placemaking by 2023 Indspire Youth-First Nations Laureate recipient Reanna Merasty (Barren Lands First Nation) (l.), illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Diné, Navajo), a picture book about Indigenous culture and land-based teachings of building construction, focusing on a girl as she follows her grandfather through the process of building a log cabin. Publication is planned for fall 2025; the author represented herself, and Jacqui Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Anne Schwartz Books has acquired world rights to Antonia and Her Magic Wand: How One Woman with a Dream Became a Symphony Conductor by Elizabeth Duncan (l.), illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov, a picture book biography of Antonia Brico, the groundbreaking musician who defied convention to become one of the first women to conduct a world-class symphony orchestra. Publication is set for fall 2026; Eve Adler at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Meredith Mundy at Abrams has bought world rights to Current Gone: Stars Shine Brighter in a Blackout by Neesa Bally (l.), illustrated by Geeta Ladi, a picture book journey of what happens during a blackout (or as is said in Trinidad: "when current gone"). Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Samantha Swenson at Tundra Books has acquired world rights to A Fly in the Chai by Zenia Wadhwani (l.), illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, a picture book that tells the humorous story of a grandpa and a fly as they battle over a cup of chai. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Jackie Kaiser and Bridgette Kam at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Christopher Robbins at Families has bought world rights to M Is for Mason Jars by Carolyn Bennett Fraiser (l.) (Moon Tree), illustrated by Sally Garland, a picture book ABC for young homesteaders, for publication in fall 2025. Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Jessica Smith at Aladdin has acquired world English rights to Spy Grandma, a middle grade graphic novel by Celina Frenn (l.), illustrated by Lucas Elliott, about a 12-year-old girl and her younger brother who must spend the summer with their supposedly boring grandmother, only to discover she used to be a spy, and the villains she once fought are now out to get her—and them. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator.
Meg Gaertner at Jolly Fish Press has bought Racing the Clouds, a middle grade contemporary novel by Sydney Dunlap (It Happened on Saturday). Blaming herself for the accident leading to her mother's opioid addiction, 13-year-old Sage visits her estranged grandparents in an attempt to fix what's gone wrong and learns about the complexity of family relationships, the value of forgiveness, and how to find her way through a tough situation with resilience and hope. Publication is set for spring 2025; Ann Rose at Tobias Literary Agency sold world rights.
Erinn Pascal at Andrews McMeel has acquired Holes in My Underwear by Matt Eicheldinger, a collection of illustrated poetry that touches on both the hilarities of childhood imagination and deeper reflections on themes like love, time, friendship, and kindness. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Dani Segelbaum at Carol Mann Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Katie Carella at Scholastic Branches has bought world rights to three books in a new early chapter book series, Coral Keepers by Robin Yardi (l.), illustrated by Paul Kellam, about three young mermaid magicians who must use their powers to become Coral Keepers, protectors of the four oceans, and save the underwater queendom of Anjeea from the evil shark magician Rozaro. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Erin Casey Westin at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Robyn Newton and Amy Fitzgerald at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Hannah Dussold at Andrews McMeel has acquired world English rights to the first two books in the Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog young graphic novel series by Lydia Lukidis (l.), illustrated by Tara J. Hannon. The Pancake Pickle, slated for 2025, chronicles the adventures of a grumpy groundhog and his half-pig, half-unicorn friend as they become reluctant crime-fighters and restore Critter Creek's favorite breakfast; book two is set for 2026. Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Donna Bray at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought, in a two-book deal, Cranky Crabby Crow (Saves the World) by Caldecott Honoree Corey R. Tabor, a picture book about a crow whose abrasive "KAW!" chases everyone away—and whose top-secret reason for clearing the area might just save the day. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House did the deal for world rights.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Short Dog, Long Dog by Anna Hrachovec, a picture book celebration of opposites as portrayed by our furry, fuzzy friends. The book will publish in winter 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette brokered the deal for North American rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought world rights to No Cat Like Tac by Alliah L. Agostini (l.) (Big Tune), illustrated by Charles Santoso (I Don't Like Koala). Tyra's sweet new kitten, Tac, is just like other cats, but bigger, louder, and fierier. Can Tac's dragon-sized heart outweigh the big trouble she causes? Publication is planned for March 2025; Miranda Paul at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Tamara Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond has acquired world rights to Bob Is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest Bear in the Whole Wide World, a picture book about a braggy bear who discovers how it feels when friends get to know friends, by Jean Reidy (l.) (Truman), illustrated by Amy Jindra, for fall 2025. Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Ivan Taurisano at Sourcebooks Wonderland has bought world rights to When Santa Wrote Back and two more titles in a new picture book series by Nathan Christopher (l.), illustrated by Pablo Pino, about a mischievous boy named Jake who gets more than he bargained for when Santa Claus finally replies to his letters. Publication is scheduled for 2025 and 2026; Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to Femme Fatale Fireflies by Elaine Alexander (l.) (Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep), illustrated by David Litchfield, an exploration of the life and paradoxes of the firefly: the darlings of summer nights, but expert hunters and ruthless mates besides. Publication is slated for September 2026; the author represented herself, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to The Dog That Saved the Bees by Stephanie Gibeault (l.) (Can't Get Enough Dog Stuff), illustrated by David Hohn (The River That Wolves Moved). The picture book chronicles the true story of beehive inspector Cybil Preston and her work with unruly sniffer dog Mack to save commercial beehives from foulbrood, a deadly incurable disease that threatens American honeybee populations. Publication is set for fall 2025; Jacqui Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired world rights, at auction, to Rose by the Sea by Rebecca Rose Mooradian (l.), illustrated by Myo Yim, the account of a child's emigration from Armenia to the U.S. during the Armenian Genocide, inspired by the journey of the author's great-grandmother. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Alice Fugate at Joy Harris Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick has bought world rights to Twelve Daring Grays by Nora Nickum (l.), illustrated by Elly MacKay, a nonfiction story that follows the journey of 12 brave whales as they travel 170 miles on a secret detour of their already grueling migration to the Arctic in search of food. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Emily Van Beek at Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Dena Neusner at Behrman House/Apples & Honey has acquired world rights to Ellie the Eggspert by Danielle Sharkan (l.), illustrated by Alexandra Colombo, a picture book in which a girl, baffled when assigned eggplant—a vegetable she has never seen before—as her ingredient in a cooking contest, perseveres and learns not only about a new food, but about the satisfaction of both competition and cooperation. Publication is set for spring 2025; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Sarah Thomas at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
