Bria Ragin at Delacorte Press has acquired world rights to Sara Jafari's Heavensent & Hellbent, a YA romantasy loosely based on Persian mythology and pitched for fans of This Woven Kingdom, in which Roxy, a British teen who moves to Denver, discovers that not only is the boy from her nightmares real—and a literal angel—but she's a jinn, the sworn enemy of an angel. Upon finding out that their souls have been entwined for centuries, they must decide whether their love in this lifetime is worth fighting for. Publication is set for spring 2026; Katie Greenstreet at Paper Literary sold world rights.
Elise Howard while at Algonquin Young Readers bought, in an exclusive submission, Wake the Wild Creatures by Nova Ren Suma; Alvina Ling will edit at Little, Brown. This contemporary, fabulist YA novel tells the story of Talia Lasker who is ripped away from her isolated all-women community in the mountains after her mother is captured and arrested. With all paths back mysteriously unreachable, Talia must uncover who betrayed her community and brave the sinister world outside to find her way home. Publication is slated for summer 2025; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world rights.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has acquired Summer Girls by Some Girls Do author Jennifer Dugan, a YA sapphic romance about two girls from opposite sides of the tracks in a beach town where one lives year-round and the other vacations with her wealthy family. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary sold world English rights.
Jordan Brown at Clarion Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winner Brandy Colbert's (Black Birds in the Sky) second work of nonfiction for young people, On Hoops: The History, Heart, and Culture of the Game. The book will examine the many facets of basketball, from the origins of the sport to the founding of the NBA and WNBA, to the explosion of its popularity and relevance in Black culture and American history. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Ivy and Forest Rewrite the World, the middle-grade debut by Hannah West (l.) (The Bitterwine Oath), illustrated by Jennifer Bricking. In this adventure spanning several fantastical settings, a girl discovers that the characters she has dreamed up in her notebook are very much alive—and would like her to reconsider their narrative arcs. Publication is set for fall 2025; Katie Bircher and Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and Tamara Shannon at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Murphy at Viking has bought The Girl Who Loves Monsters, a middle grade graphic novel by Insha Fitzpatrick (l.), illustrated by Ashley Robin Franklin. It follows a horror-loving girl who must save her town from her substitute teacher, who just might be a werewolf, after accidentally unleashing monsters through her town. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary handled the two-book deal for world English rights.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired Persian Mythology, the debut middle grade title by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb (l.) (Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen), illustrated by Reza Dalvand (What Could That Be?), a collection of myth and legend retellings that introduces readers to the vibrant world of Persian mythology and storytelling. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Jacqui Lipton at Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and Lilly Ghahremani at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought Sneaks by Amy McCree. In this debut middle grade mystery novel, two misfit 12-year-olds—Valory, a girl with a penchant for stealing, and Rook, a boy who fears leaving his house—team up to solve the puzzle of the "4:30 mystery music" that emanates each day from a supposedly empty apartment. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Erin Clyburn at Howland Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Eileen Robinson at Charlesbridge Moves has acquired The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince by Bobbi Miller. Pitched as Oliver Twist meets Deadwood, this middle grade historical American fantasy follows pickpocket and rascal Jack London, who finds herself in the middle of a dastardly plot among a cast of real and legendary characters set against the backdrop of 1870s San Francisco’s colorful Barbary Coast. Publication is set for spring 2026; Sarah Fisk at Tobias Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has bought North American English rights for Magick Hoodoo Child by Amber McBride (l.), illustrated by Violeta Encarnación, a picture book about a girl who spends the summer at her grandmother's house outside the city, learning rootwork and hoodoo and communing with her ancestors. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Wendy Deacon at Marvel Press has acquired world rights to Captain America: Brave New World: A Hero Looks Like You by Kwame Mbalia (l.), in his debut picture book, illustrated by Nikkolas Smith, a picture book that explores the world of Marvel Studios' Captain America: Brave New World. Publication is slated for January 2025; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Ann Marie Wong and Kate Farrell at Henry Holt have bought world rights to The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter (l.), illustrated by Kelly Wu. The picture book celebrates the union of seasonal American traditions with traditional Chinese culture, through the eyes of young Lilly, whose immigrant grandfather introduces their neighborhood to his delicious family recipes. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency represented the author; the illustrator, who represented herself, is now represented by Wendi Gu at GreenburgerKids.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to En El Mar, In The Sea by Silvia López (l.), illustrated by Geraldo Valério. This bilingual counting book set at the ocean invites readers to make connections and understand relationships between marine life, including fish, crabs, turtles, dolphins, and more. Publication is set for summer 2026; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Sarah Dillard at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Hello, India!, written by mother-son duo Surishtha Sehgal (l.) and Kabir Sehgal (c.), and illustrated by Ibrahim Shidiq (r.). The picture book takes readers on a journey to spectacular landmarks and sites across India. Publication is slated for fall 2026; the authors represented themselves, and Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Knopf has acquired world rights to Mama Won't Mind by Kathleen Bahr (l.), illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, a picture book about a young raccoon who loses the perfect gift for his mother's birthday. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Elise Howard at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Donna Bray while at HarperCollins bought Spendin' Time by Gary R. Gray Jr. (l.), illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, a picture book about a boy and granddad who are tasked with running errands for Nan, but end up enjoying the day together. Luana Kay Horry will edit; publication is planned for summer 2026. Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Emma Hintzen at Sourcebooks eXplore has acquired world rights to A Visit with the Birds by Sara Levine (l.), illustrated by Ashley Barron. This interactive picture book, set in a city park, teaches kids how to observe and connect with the natural world around them, no matter where they live. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Thank You, Old Oak by Britt Crow-Miller (l.) (World of Rot), illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford (Inky's Amazing Escape); Bree Reyes will edit. This picture book tells the story of a fallen 400-year-old oak tree and community of forest animals who gather to give thanks for her motherly care, showing how even after death she brings new life to the ecosystem. Publication is set for fall 2025; Adriann Ranta Zurhellen and Sydney Meve, while at Folio Management, represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Katie Heit at Scholastic has acquired Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman (l.) (When the Sky Glows), illustrated by Kalen Chock, the co-creators of Caves. This informational book takes the reader on a hike through one of the world's most enchanting ecosystems. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Peggy Schaefer at WorthyKids has bought world rights for Attack of the Hangries, a humorous scientific exploration of why humans get hangry, by Katherine Pryor (l.) (Home Is Calling), illustrated by Thiago Buzzy. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Adria Goetz at KT Literary represented the author, and Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Fran Greenman-Schmitz at Kar-Ben has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Ruth Handler Has Chutzpah by Kyra Teis, a picture book biography about the Barbie founder, her Jewish upbringing, and the strength and perseverance it took to create the most iconic doll of our time. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the author.
Sandra Sutter at Gnome Road has bought world rights to Goat Maa-th: An Addition Story, a picture book by Kari Ann Gonzalez (l.), illustrated by Bonnie Kelso, in which a young adventurer and his math-curious goats set out on a mountain trek where they find joy in mother nature while also learning to use number lines, how to count up, and ways to solve simple addition problems. Publication is set for fall 2026; the author represented herself, and Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary represented the illustrator.
