Maya Marlette at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Ann Liang's YA rom-com Never Thought I'd End Up Here, about a former model who is sent on an intensive two-week travel program across China to get back to her roots—but it might also be her only chance to get back at the cynical, sarcastic boy who ruined her life. Publication is slated for June 2025; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Press has bought U.S., Canadian, and open market rights to The Uninvited by Nancy Banks. When a girl moves from Portland, Ore., to Paris, it's a dream come to life. But as a series of brutal vampiric attacks creeps closer to her new circle of bohemian friends, she'll confront the city's darker side and learn how deeply monsters can strike at a young woman's power and heart. Publication is set for fall 2025; Daniel Lazar at Writers House negotiated the deal.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree has acquired, at auction, North American rights to The Enemy's Daughter by Melissa Poett, a YA romantasy re-imagining of the Tristan and Isolde tale, set in a dystopian world woven with magic. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Catherine Cho at Paper Literary brokered the two-book deal.
Jordan Brown at Clarion Books has bought Gris Grimly's Phantom of the Opera, a YA graphic reimagining by Gris Grimly of the classic tale of gothic horror in the author's signature macabre style. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Asia Harden at FSG has acquired Someone to Daydream About by Sydney Langford. In this YA rom-com, a Deaf, demiromantic 18-year-old Natalie spends a whirlwind summer teaching ASL to (and trying not to fall for) a heartthrob lead singer in a boy band so he can communicate with his newly deaf sister—all while trying to save her family's struggling Deaf Center. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Emily Forney at BookEnds sold world rights. The book was previously announced by another publisher.
Ruqayyah Daud at Little, Brown has bought The Wayward Witches of Rapunzel's Tower by Alexandria Rogers, in which sisters Madalon and Anastasie must unravel the mystery of their parents' deaths to free Anastasie from Rapunzel's tower and defeat the wicked Troll King, or Anastasie will turn to stone and never unlock the magic that could rewrite their realm's story forever. Publication is set for winter 2026; Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management did the deal for world rights.
Grace Scheipeter at Oni Press has acquired Norm Grock's middle grade graphic novel debut, Gamelad. After moving to Boring, Ore., a gamer girl struggling to make friends finds a retro gaming device and accidentally unleashes video game characters on her unsuspecting new town. Now, she must help the characters find their way home, all while battling villainous bosses, making new friends, and saving her new town. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Erika Turner at Little, Brown has bought Spider and Slugg by librarian Steph Cherrywell, a coming-of-age middle grade novel pitched as Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Brave, where a trans girl discovers that her boring, overprotective mother might actually come from a dangerously powerful family of witches. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Marie Lamba at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency sold world rights.
Olivia Swomley at Candlewick/MIT Kids Press has acquired world rights to Amazing Art Mysteries by Heather Alexander (l.), illustrated by Robbie Cathro. Containing real-life cases of high-profile heists and incredible forgeries, this middle grade nonfiction book explores some of history's most thrilling and perplexing art crimes—and the science used to expose them. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Katie Carella at Scholastic Branches has bought world rights to the first three books in Game Time!, an early chapter book series by Andrew Maraniss (l.) (Strong Inside; Inaugural Ballers), illustrated by Aishwarya Tandon. The series follows Jack, Ruby, and Mo as they try out for different sports, overcome some obstacles, and learn the importance of teamwork and giving it your all. The first book in the series, Hut, Hut, Hike!, is set for fall 2025; Alec Shane at Writers House represented the author, and Claire Draper at Azantian Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Bobbie Bensur at Paw Prints Publishing has acquired world rights in a two-book deal to Wonder Lens Friends, a new beginner chapter book series for STEM lovers by Tracy Blom (l.), illustrated by Cathy Morrison, in an exclusive submission. The first book, Lissa Loves Bugs, follows a self-professed bug lover as she comes across a miraculous pair of magical glasses on her ninth birthday that allow her to communicate with bugs. Publication is scheduled for summer 2025; Jesse Byrd at Moonbeam Literary represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Kristie Choi at Atheneum has bought world rights to author-illustrator Siyang Lim's debut picture book Lan's Red Scarf (working title). On the first day of snow, the wind takes off with Lan's scarf, which once belonged to her grandfather Lao Ye, and as Lan chases the scarf through the neighborhood, she's reminded of memories of Lao Ye that help her and her mother come to terms with how much they miss him. Publication is planned for fall 2026; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has acquired North American rights to Gathering the Light by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (l.) (Remember), illustrated by Anishinaabe artist and member of Wasauksing First Nation Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. This poem examines the ways people and nature are interconnected and exist within a shared circle, encouraging readers to demonstrate gratitude by honoring all living things every day. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Jin Auh at the Wylie Agency represented the author, and Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Klonsky at Putnam has bought North American rights to What's Scarier Than Thunder?, the first picture book by actor, director, and writer Ben Falcone (l.), illustrated by Kevin Cornell. It's a bedtime book about using humor to combat fear, and letting go of what we can't control and getting out of our own heads. Publication is scheduled for March 11, 2025; David Larabell at Creative Artists Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Erika DiPasquale at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Santa Is Stuck, written and illustrated by husband-wife duo Nikki Powers (l.) and Joseph Kuefler (The Digger and the Flower). In this interactive holiday picture book in the vein of Press Here, Santa is stuck in a chimney and needs the reader's help to save Christmas. Publication is set for fall 2026; the creators represented themselves.
Celia Lee at Simon and Schuster has bought, in a preempt, world English rights to Get a Hug by Schneider Family Book Award winner Shannon Stocker (l.), illustrated by Lily Hoang-Zhu. This picture book, a song-like ode to hugs, is about the power of compassion and empathy. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Kurestin Armada at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to A Riddle of Eels by Sibert Medal winner Nicholas Day (l.) (The Mona Lisa Vanishes), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Corey R. Tabor (Mel Fell), a narrative nonfiction picture book about how much we don't know about our world, as told through the mysterious life of the eel and the people who have studied it throughout history. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to the picture book Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen (l.) (We Sing from the Heart), illustrated by Violeta Encarnación. The book focuses on a Japanese American grandmother offering hope to a girl in an immigrant detention center as she reflects on her own WWII internment experience. Written as a "reverso" poem, the narrative becomes a metaphor for how history is repeating itself. The book is set for fall 2025; Lary Rosenblatt at 22MediaWorks represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Natalia Vázquez Torres and Cat Schaad at Charlesbridge have acquired world rights to Everything Grandma Needs by Molly Beth Griffin (l.), illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. When Grandma announces she is moving from her big old house to a new little condo, her family realizes she has too many things. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Jennifer Flannery at Flannery Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Smith at Workman has bought world English rights to Twinkle, Twinkle, Hanukkah by Talia Benamy (l.), illustrated by Aura Lewis. Set to the tune and rhythm of the classic nursery rhyme, this picture book celebrates the traditions, history, joy, and light of this Jewish holiday. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft Books has acquired world rights for the picture book Jinx! by Evelyn Bookless (l.), illustrated by Anna Suessbauer. This interactive book breaks the fourth wall as the main character engages the reader in a series of challenges to escape the jinx placed upon them. Publication is slated for spring/summer 2025; Rebecca Langton at Darley Anderson Literary Agency represented the author, and Maddy Jeffery at the Plum Agency represented the illustrator.
Lisa Rosinsky at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Some Days I'm the Wind by Rebecca Gardyn Levington (l.) (Whatever Comes Tomorrow), illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova (Woven of the World). This picture book celebrates the wide range of human emotions and models mindful acceptance of all feelings. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Chrystal Falcioni at Magnet Reps represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to Fly, Pajarito, Fly by Colombian American educator, poet, and author Alexandra Alessandri (l.), illustrated by Dana SanMar. Written in free verse with Spanish woven throughout, the picture book follows an anxious girl nicknamed "Pajarito" and her mami as they watch warblers and gnatcatchers, starlings and kingfishers, while Pajarito wonders if she'll ever feel brave enough to fly out on her own. Publication is set for fall 2026; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Michele McAvoy at The Little Press has bought world rights to three picture books, In a Spooky House, In a Thankful House, and In a Christmas House, written by Tania Guarino (l.) and illustrated by Lana Levitan, featuring dancing skeletons, black cats peeking, a bubbling brew, and old doors creaking. Publication is planned for fall 2026; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Jaime Gelman at Little Bee Books has acquired world rights to Apple of My Eye and You're the Big Cheese by Paige Turner, illustrated by Alyssa Nassner, two board books sharing love and food puns. Publication is slated for summer 2025 and spring 2026; the author and illustrator were unagented.
