Tiffany Liao at Random House has acquired, in a six-figure, eight-house auction, Gutterwitch, a crossover YA fantasy duology by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson, pitched as Wicked meets Babel. The story follows a scullery maid and her flighty mistress Belinda as they attend a prestigious witching academy. Joan soon finds herself at the center of a sinister plot and must stop a new war among the witches, with the help of a fellow outcast, Prince Caspar of Fairie. Publication of the first book is tentatively planned for early 2027; Catherine Cho at Paper Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Lindsay Warren at Candlewick Press has bought The Game of Oaths by S.C. Bandreddi, a high-stakes historical YA fantasy set in Belle Époque Paris, where Falan Sunkara is a trapeze artist for Paris's famous magical circus, Le Cirque des Ombres. Le Cirque is ruled by one of the few magicians in the city legally allowed to use magic for entertainment. Each year, 12 members must compete in the Game of Oaths, a brutal tournament of deadly games watched by the city's elite, and only one will survive. Candlewick and Walker Books UK will release simultaneously in summer 2026; Catherine Cho at Paper Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Eleanor Willis at Bloomsbury UK and Kei Nakatsuka at Bloomsbury US have acquired, in a seven-house auction, These Shattered Spires, the first book in a YA dark fantasy trilogy by Cassidy Ellis Salter. In the decaying land of Fourspires, arcanists conjure magic by ripping it from the bodies of their human familiars. But when the king suddenly dies, four queer and nonbinary teens are forced to work together to avoid certain death in a bloody competition to crown the next ruler. Publication for book one is slated for winter 2026; Stevie Finegan at Zeno Agency sold world English rights.
Vanessa Aguirre at Wednesday Books has bought, at auction, What Makes a Monster by Emily Cooper (Season of Fear), a YA fantasy in which villain Celestine Savareau rots in prison after a failed attempt to end the world, and now must save it by stopping her ex-lover from seeing out his plans for eternal darkness. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn did the deal for North American rights.
Nick Magliato at Penguin Workshop has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Shadowing, a debut YA novel by Joshua David Stein (Solitary Animals). The story follows 16-year-old Dante, who in the wake of his mother's death discovers that the father he never knew is a world-renowned chef who vanished from the restaurant scene, triggering Dante to chase after him by working in all the kitchens that turned him into a culinary (shooting) star. Publication is set for fall 2027; Stephen Barr at Writers House negotiated the deal.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte has bought Under the Good Night Motel by Tehlor Kay Mejia (It Happened to Anna). When 12-year-old Dylan and his chronically ill mom are evicted from their apartment, they're forced to take up residence at a creepy motel where breaking the rules doesn't just mean getting kicked out—it means disappearing for good. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Francesco Sedita at Penguin Workshop has acquired, at auction, North American rights to the Pirate Academy middle grade series by Justin Somper (the Vampirates series); Elizabeth Lee and Alex Wolfe will edit. It's 2057 and a new dawn of piracy has begun. Elite Pirate Academy students Jacoby, Jasmine, and new kid Neo will have to battle against an unstoppable enemy terrorizing the seas. New Kid on Deck and Missing at Sea will publish in spring 2026, with Sword Echoes to follow in summer 2026; Gwen Beal at United Talent Agency did the three-book deal.
Carina Licon at Henry Holt has bought Pura Belpré Honor author Angela Cervantes's middle-grade contemporary mystery novel, The Mystery of the Missing World Cup Trophy, set against the 2026 World Cup. 12-year-old Diez Espada—named after the number on the jersey of his soccer-obsessed father's all-time favorite player, Lionel Messi—wishes he was off solving mysteries instead of stuck playing on the pitch. When the prized trophy is stolen, it's up to him to find it before the championship match. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management sold North American rights.
Polo Orozco at Putnam has acquired Song of the Yellow Dragon by Ying Ping Low, a middle grade fantasy for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Grace Lin. Set in a world where belief in magic is lost when a child turns 13, a boy emperor on the run from murderous advisors and a village girl who dreams of becoming a Divine Healer race to find the legendary Dragon's Pulse and harness its power before they lose faith in magic forever. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Pete Knapp and Jerome Murphy at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management handled the deal for world English rights.
Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has bought two books in a new chapter book graphic novel series, Mighty Realm, by Brian "Smitty" Smith. The books follow Will, a normal boy who takes out his frustrations in his favorite video game by creating the vilest villain of all time. Things take a turn for the worse when Will is transported into the video game as himself—with no weapons, no magic, no nothing—and he must defeat his own worst enemy: himself. Publication is set for winter 2028; Judith Hansen at Hansen Literary sold world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired, in a nine-house auction, The Future Book and two untitled picture books by National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Mac Barnett (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Shawn Harris. This book imagines how language, habits, and social mores might differ in the future, and uses silly phrases to describe a world full of kid-friendly humor. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author and illustrator for world rights.
Tracey Keevan at Union Square Kids has bought Mike the Magical Coughing Cat by Mag Takac; Emily Duffy will also edit. This slyly funny picture book follows Mike, a cat who coughs up wishes instead of hairballs, and explores what it means to be loved for who you are. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Susan Hawk negotiated the deal for world rights.
Krestyna Lypen at Post Wave has acquired world rights to When Night Sleeps by Meg Auchenbach (If You Are an Artist), a picture book that imagines what happens to Night once her work is done and the sun comes up: does she wrap herself in a blanket of stars and tiptoe around, looking for a cozy place to settle in, and dream of beautiful and unknowable things? Publication is slated for fall 2026; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal.
Jen Besser and Hana Tzou at Macmillan have bought, at auction, Song of the Nahual, an author-illustrator picture book debut by Abraham Matias. Lost between the world of humans and the world of jaguars, a shapeshifting Nahual child follows a mysterious song to find where they belong. Publication is set for winter 2027; Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency did the six-figure, two-book deal for world rights.
Tracy Mack at Scholastic Press has acquired world rights to the picture book The Healing Place by Mary Rand Hess (l.) and Angel Tyree (c.), illustrated by Raissa Figueroa (r.), about a special place in which to dream, play, soothe, find strength and become. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Deborah Warren at East West Literary represented the authors, and Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Beneath the Same Round Moon, a picture book by Jasmine Fang (l.), illustrated by Rồng Phạm (c.) and Vinh Nguyễn (r.). The story captures the heart of family connection during the Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival, celebrating the ways families can be together across the quiet weight of distance and time. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrators.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired world English rights for I Will Eat You in the End by David Duff (l.), illustrated by Marianna Coppo. In this longform picture book, when a dinosaur stands on a worm it leads to an unexpected companionship and a thought-provoking exploration of the cycle of life. Simultaneous publication with Walker Books U.K. is set for fall 2026; Debbie Bibo at Debbie Bibo Agency represented both author and illustrator.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press has bought world rights to The Secret Life of a Dolphin by Maddalena Bearzi (l.), illustrated by Alex Boersma. This nonfiction picture book follows the hidden and sometimes perilous journey of one dolphin over the course of its long life. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Bridget Matzie at Aevitas Creative Management represented the artist.
Beverly Horowitz, prior to her retirement from Delacorte, acquired Natasha Diaz's YA thriller What Lies Beneath the Flowers, a modern-day remix of Great Expectations; Bria Ragin will edit. When a teen socialite goes missing, Pippa and her best friend Bidi set out to find her and collect the reward money that could change their lives forever. As their investigation leads them into the world of the elite, it also begins to jeopardize their friendship and forces them to question everything they know about themselves. Publication is set for summer 2026; Richard Abate at 3 Arts Entertainment sold U.S., Canada, and open market rights.
Brian Geffen at Henry Holt has bought Busted, a middle-grade contemporary novel by Dan Gemeinhart. Twelve-year-old Oscar Aberdeen, the youngest resident of Sunny Days retirement home by more than a half-century, would do anything to save him and his grandfather from eviction, even go on a wild ride with an elderly ex-mobster to find hidden loot in exchange for busting the geezer out of Sunny Days. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Pam Pho while at D4EO Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired world English rights to Where Ella Went by Laurie Morrison (Up for Air). Told in interview transcripts, letters, emails, and texts, this upper middle grade novel follows rival soccer teammates Sadie and Pug, who join forces to unearth the truth about where their team MVP, Ella Hart, went on the day she didn't show up for the biggest game of the season, and why she hasn't responded to anyone's messages since. Publication is planned for April 2026; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary did the deal.
Bunmi Ishola at Waterbrook has bought, at auction, Lightseekers by Emily Bain Murphy (The Disappearances), a middle grade trilogy about an orphan who joins a ragtag group of travelers in search for a lake of light that could stop their world from being overrun by the shadows, help answer questions about his sister's and his past, and set the course for the future by making them richer than their wildest dreams. Publication is slated to begin in spring 2026; Pete Knapp at Park, Fine, & Brower Literary Management sold world rights.
Tricia Lin at Random House has acquired No Place on Earth, a middle-grade prose novel interwoven with verse by Newbery Honoree Andrea Beatriz Arango (Iveliz Explains It All). After Gustavo moves into Yellowstone National Park, his anxiety-fueled nightmares are out of control, while his new friend Kordell has learned to lucid dream as an escape from his depression. When Kordell's sadness leads him too far into dream Yellowstone, Gus must take charge of his own mental health if he wants to help Kordell see the value in the waking world. Publication is set for summer 2026; Rebecca Eskildsen at Writers House brokered the deal for North American rights.
Carolyn Yoder at Calkins Creek has bought world rights to For the Love of Animals: How Twelve Conservationists Turned Passion into Action by Heather Lang (l.), illustrated by Ruth E. Harper. In this middle-grade collective biography, readers meet inspiring conservationists from around the world who have worked tirelessly to save and protect some of Earth's most remarkable creatures. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Deborah Warren at East West Literary represented the illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Ski Bunny by author-illustrator Kristin Varner (Dog Trouble), a young middle grade graphic novel about a bunny named Bex who faces a difficult decision when her ski competition and special choir performance fall on the same day. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary negotiated the deal.
Saanya Kanwar at Paw Prints has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Goat Club, a chapter book from Janet Sumner Johnson (the Winterton Deception series). Finn, a boy in third grade who’s tired of being overshadowed by his siblings' accomplishments, forms the G.O.A.T. club, where he and his friends help each other find and develop their talents to become the Greatest of All Time in their respective activities. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency sold world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world English rights to Mama Loves It by Raffi Cavoukian (l.), illustrated by Patricia Pessoa, a picture book about a family who makes a happy home by tidying up the house together. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Bert Simpson at Troubadour Music represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Alex Wolfe at Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to Sad, Mad, Glad: A Day Full of Feelings by John Micklos Jr. (l.) (Raindrops to Rainbow), illustrated by Lilibeth Jimenez. This rhyming picture book follows a child as they experience the wide breadth of emotions that kids can encounter across the scope of daily life. Publication is set for summer 2026; the author represented himself, and Sophie Sheumaker at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Almost by MacArthur fellow Jeffrey Alan Miller (l.), illustrated by Taeeun Yoo, about a child whose day almost but doesn't quite meet their expectations, only to turn into an even more "almost perfect day" than they planned. Publication is slated for 2028; Jenny Stephens at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Courtney Code at Abrams has bought world rights to Turtle on the Tarmac by Annette Bay Pimentel (l.), illustrated by Yusuke Watanabe, a picture book that takes readers on parallel journeys as a child prepares for an airplane trip and a diamondback terrapin looks for a nesting place, and the two cross paths in surprising ways. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Stokes and Stacey Roderick at Owlkids Books have acquired Our Sky by Maria Marianayagam (l.) (The Amazing Power of Girls), illustrated by Josée Bisaillon, which takes readers on a journey across the world and, explores the sky and its diversity of colors, in one single moment. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Alice Fugate at the Joy Harris represented the author, now represented by Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown Ltd., and the artist represented herself.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to a debut untitled picture book by artist and designer Yao Cheng. Conceived in response to her son's question, "How much do you love me?," this book depicts the enormity of a parent's love, backdropped by Mother Nature, and reassures young readers that no matter what, our love for them is here and forever. Publication is set for spring 2027; the author-illustrator was unagented.
Feather Flores at Atheneum has acquired world rights to My Mind Is an Ocean by Chloe Ito Ward (l.) (Made for More), illustrated by Wastana Haikal (Street Puppy; Masjid Cat), a picture book in which a child with ADHD celebrates the unique complexity of their brain through empowering ocean metaphors. Publication is planned for 2027; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has bought world rights to Chasing the Light, a picture book by Amanda Davis (l.) (30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag), illustrated by Faryn Hughes. When a girl and her mother go on a nighttime walk to spot the northern lights, they encounter a world of breathtaking sights and sounds. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Andrew Behr at Astound US represented the illustrator.
