Bria Ragin and David and Nicola Yoon at Joy Revolution have acquired Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya, a dual-POV YA romantasy pitched as Hotel Magnifique meets These Violent Delights, in which Esmeralda Montero, a thief pretending to be a fortune-teller, competes for the starring role at a magical traveling circus in the hopes of gaining the wealth and respect she's always longed for. But when the irritatingly handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that carnival is more sinister than it appears, Esmeralda must decide whether fame and fortune are worth their deadly price. Publication is set for spring 2026; Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold world English rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought, in a six-figure preempt, Reasons We Break by Jesmeen Kaur Deo (TJ Powar Has Something to Prove). In this romantic YA drama, Simran, the golden girl of her Sikh community, agrees to handle a gang's books to help former member Rajan avoid being forced back in, but when Simran's actions inadvertently drag them into a gang war, she and Rajan find out just what they'd be willing to sacrifice for each other. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Alexandra Sehulster at Wednesday Books has acquired The Thrashers, the YA debut by adult author Julie Soto. Described as a cross between One of Us Is Lying and The Reappearance of Rachel Price, the book features an exclusive friend clique that becomes the subject of a police investigation when one of the students obsessed with joining their group dies—and how even beyond the grave, she may not be done with them yet. Publication is scheduled for May 2025; Gaia Banks at Sheil Land Associates brokered the deal.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has bought, in a six-figure deal, two novels by Stonewall Honor author Andrew Joseph White, once again featuring transgender, autistic protagonists. In You're No Better, Morgan Slaughter must contend with his fame-hungry mother, a true crime-obsessed classmate, and his own destructive impulses to prove he is nothing like his serial killer father. In Beast//Warden, cursed boy Blythe plans to kill the other apprentice vying for the dangerous position of Beastwarden, ensuring his survival in a village that hates him, only to become entangled in a monstrous love story instead. Publication is planned for fall 2026 and 2027; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Talia Seidenfeld at Scholastic has acquired Witchkiller by Ashlee Latimer, a dark YA reimagining of "Hansel and Gretel" told from Gretel's perspective. After killing a witch to save her brother, Gretel must grapple with her family's newfound stolen wealth, a betrothal to a prince she hardly knows, and the nearby coven that threatens to upend it all. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alex Lu at Random House Graphic has bought, in an exclusive submission, in a three-book deal, Forest Kids by Laia Lopez, her English-language debut. In the middle grade graphic novel series, Arielle, a young resident of the Wisteria Woodlands, sets off on an adventure to save her home from a dark magical force that corrupts everything it touches. Along the way, she meets four other enchanted children and discovers that the Woodlands are hiding a secret far beyond any of their imaginations. Publication for the first book is set for 2027; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired Cactus Home, an I Like to Read title by Geisel Honoree Vikram Madan. When a spider family moves into a cactus community, not everyone welcomes their arrival. But when disaster strikes, the community quickly realizes that within differences lie the strengths that can help save the day. It's scheduled for summer 2026; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for world rights.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has bought That You Are Here Is No Small Thing, a picture book by Sibert Honoree Traci N. Todd (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Vashti Harrison, a message to the descendants of enslaved Africans that holds them dear, honors their ancestors and, inspired by the words of Octavia E. Butler, imagines a radiant future. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary represented the illustrator.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to a picture book called Arctic Adventures: A Tundra Tale by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.), illustrated by Alexandra Mims Cook. Inspired by the illustrator's childhood adventures with her nature photographer mother, the book follows two mother-daughter duos—a baby and mama Arctic fox, and a girl and her photographer mother—as they spend a day amid the natural wonders of the Arctic tundra. Publication is set for winter 2026; Wendi Gu at GreenburgerKids represented the author, and Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary agency represented the illustrator.
Dana Chidiac at Henry Holt/Godwin Books has bought world rights to Tell Me About Juneteenth by Kortney Nash (l.), illustrated by DeAndra Hodge. At a Juneteenth block party, a girl asks people in her community to tell her about the first Juneteenth—and learns a lot about her family and friends' childhood Juneteenth celebrations along the way. Publication is slated for spring 2025; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Union Square Kids has acquired, with Suzy Capozzi editing, world rights to Junko's Climb, the debut picture book by Elyssa Gavin (l.), illustrated by HifuMiyo, a biography about Junko Tabei's summit up Mount Everest, breaking gender stereotypes to be the first woman to reach the peak. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Katie Wade at Folio Art represented the illustrator.
Sarah Mackenzie at Waxwing Books has bought world rights to Books Up the Mountain: A Packhorse Librarian Story by Caroline Starr Rose (l.), illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, a picture book about a Book Woman's work in Appalachia during the Great Depression. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Harold Underdown at Kane Press has acquired world rights to Get Ready to Blast Off by Frieda Wishinsky (l.), illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee, in which a woman prepares for astronaut tryouts and trains for a journey to space, with her young daughter by her side, kicking off in the 3, 2, 1, Space! series. Publication is set for fall 2025; the author represented herself, and Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Hannah Lambert at Little Simon has bought the Little Landscapers board book series by author-illustrator Breanna Carzoo, featuring three animal friends who love the sensory delights of landscaping, beginning with Lawn-Mowing Day, in which the friends snip, rumble, and vroom as they mow, and followed by a second, untitled winter-themed story in which the animals joyfully clear snow. Publication is slated for spring 2026 and fall 2026, respectively; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
