Jonah Heller at Peachtree Teen has acquired A Fate Unwoven by debut author Rachael A. Edwards. In this wintery YA fantasy, Prince Dimas is desperate to legitimize his claim to the throne by capturing Lena, a young heretical storyteller destined to be the Empire's next Fateweaver. But Lena will do anything to sever her magical bond to the upstart Emperor, even if it means striking a deal with an ancient and vengeful spirit. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the deal for world rights excluding British Commonwealth.
Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury has bought This Could All Go Bad, a lower YA novel by Spencer Hall, pitched as Superbad's younger sibling. The book follows a group of boys who sneak out on the eve of their eighth-grade graduation, determined to face all their fears in one epic night before high school starts. But as things start to spiral out of control and secrets are revealed, they have to face the fact that even if they survive the night, their friendship may not. Publication is set for winter 2026; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management did the deal for world rights.
Justine Bylo at Entangled Teen has acquired Boundless by E.L. Starling. This YA debut is a gender-bent retelling of Titanic that follows two star-crossed teens on the inaugural voyage of the Boundless, an indestructible luxury spaceship that is sabotaged days from their destination. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Gabriella Melendez at Great Dog Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kate Harrison at Dial has bought, in a preempt, The Midwatch Institute for Unwanted Girls, an illustrated middle grade novel by Judith Rossell, about a girl sent to an orphanage in the city who discovers behind its grim façade is a detective agency full of thrills, secrets and an adventure. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Daniel Lazar at Writers House sold North American rights on behalf of Annabel Barker Agency in Australia.
Mabel Hsu while at Quill Tree acquired, with Jennifer Ung editing, in an exclusive submission, Starting Now by Janae Marks, a middle grade novel about a girl who uncovers a deep family secret after she moves into her half-brother's guardianship following their mother's accident. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Alex Slater at GreenburgerKids brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Danny Diaz at Random House Graphic has bought world rights to Play Real Fast, a middle grade contemporary graphic novel by Benjamin Wilgus (l.), illustrated by Eric Lide. When Cordelia falls in love with the video game speedrunning, she decides to pose as a boy named Cody to blend in with the online community of fans who play games as fast as humanly possible. As Cody becomes more invested in that world, he realizes that being a boy is more comfortable than he ever expected. Publication is set for summer 2027; Eddie Schneider at JABberwocky Literary Agency represented the author, and Tori Sharp at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary represented the illustrator.
Alyssa Mito Pusey and Jon Simeon at Charlesbridge have acquired world rights to the middle grade nonfiction book Crimes Through Time: Mischief, Missteps & Dastardly Deeds by Rosie McCormick (l.), illustrated by Diego Otero. This interactive, time-traveling adventure challenges young readers to spot criminals and their crimes in historical settings from ancient Egypt to the California Gold Rush. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft has bought world rights to Tic, Tac, and Toe, an early reader series by Sheri Dillard (l.), illustrated by Charlie Adler, exploring themes of friendship, empathy, and kindness. Publication will start in 2025; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired world rights to Bittersweet, a new picture book by Andrea Wang (l.), illustrated by Jason Chin, creators of the Caldecott Medal-winning and Newbery Honor book Watercress. A tribute to immigrant resilience, the book features a child who follows the lead of the Asian bittersweet vine in her yard as she navigates her father's moods and a neighbor's racism. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has bought world rights for Night Treasure by Allison Wortche (l.), illustrated by Alison Farrell. This picture book about a father-daughter nighttime walk celebrates their bond and the magic to be found in the everyday world. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to Axo by author-illustrator Ana Aranda, about an artistic axolotl who recovers from an injury and gains a new perspective with the help of a friend. Publication is set for summer 2026; Adriana Domínguez at Aevitas Creative Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has bought Sister's Scribbles, written and illustrated by Lenny Wen, a picture book about a young artist who feels overshadowed by her talented older sister until an art contest reveals that they have more in common than she thought. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has acquired Pilgrim Codex (Códice Peregrino) by Vivian Mansour (l.), illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra (c.), translated from Spanish by Carlos Rodríguez Cortez (r.). The picture book follows a family migrating from Mexico to the U.S., told in the style of a pre-Columbian codex. Simultaneous publication of the English and Spanish editions is slated for spring 2025; Janet Soto Centeno and Susana Figueroa sold world English, Dutch, and North American Spanish rights on behalf of Fondo de Cultura Económica, and the translator represented himself.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has bought world rights to The Couch of a Million Farts, a picture book by debut author Mark Sweeney (l.), illustrated by Jenn Harney, about a couch that fills up with a family's gassy crimes. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Mark Tauber at Watermark Agency represented the author, and Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the artist.
Cara Donaldson at becker&mayer!kids has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Why We Eat Fried Peanuts: A Celebration of Family and Lunar New Year Traditions by Zed Zha (l.), illustrated by Sian James. In this nonfiction picture book, the author's tai nai nai (great-grandmother) saves a life and creates a family legend; it includes simple Chinese words and a recipe for fried peanuts that families can make to celebrate the New Year. Publication is set for winter 2025; Kathryn Willms at the Rights Factory represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
