Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, in a six-figure preempt, Seeker author Arwen Elys Dayton's new YA novel, Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful. Set in the future, the novel features interconnected stories that explore the ethical dilemmas that come with human modification and life extension. Publication is planned for fall 2018; Jodi Reamer at Writers House handled the deal for U.S. and Canadian rights.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has bought, in a three-book deal, Emily Duncan's debut YA fantasy, Something Dark and Holy. Pitched as a gothic Joan of Arc, the book features two countries locked in a holy war, and the peasant girl who can speak to the gods who must find a way to work with a deadly adversary, a heretical blood mage and heir apparent of the enemy kingdom, to turn the tide of the war and assassinate the mad king. Publication is slated for 2019; Thao Le at the Dijkstra Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has acquired Morris Award finalist Leah Thomas's YA novel, Wild and Crooked. Pitched as Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets Making a Murderer, the book stars Kalyn, a killer's daughter, and Gus, a victim's son, small-town teens who develop a powerful friendship despite a brutal murder that has long since divided their families. Publication is scheduled for May 2019; Lana Popovic at Chalberg & Sussman brokered the deal for world rights.
Rhoda Belleza at Imprint has bought Gabrielle Byrne's debut novel, Rise of the Dragon Moon, about a feisty ice princess on a quest to save her mother and her queendom from dragons. Publication is set for winter 2019; Catherine Drayton at InkWell Management did the deal for world English rights.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired K.R. Gaddy's YA nonfiction debut, Flowers in the Gutter. Drawing from memoirs and other firsthand sources, the book chronicles the history of the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of German working-class teenage boys and girls who resisted the Nazis in Cologne during WWII. Publication is planned for spring 2019; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alix Reid at Carolrhoda Lab has bought world rights to Sasha Dawn's Blink, a psychological thriller about a boy, Joshua, who falls in love with a mysterious girl who is on the run and who might hold the key to a crime that was committed long ago. Publication is slated for May 2018; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger handled the deal.
Ashley Hearn at Page Street has acquired world rights to Erin Cashman's YA contemporary fantasy, Uncharted. When 16-year-old Annabeth attends the funeral of family friends who drowned, she uncovers an ancient secret that some would die to protect and others would kill to expose—the existence of the legendary island of Hy-Brasil. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; the author represented herself.
Beverly Horowitz and Kelsey Horton at Delacorte have bought a middle-grade short story collection, Totally Middle School. Arts advocate and former book publisher Betsy Groban will edit. In the book, bestselling and award-winning authors Lois Lowry, Linda Sue Park, Katherine Paterson, Gregory Maguire, Karen Cushman, Gary Schmidt, among others, take on the challenges of the brave new world of middle school, in a range of formats. Publication is set for fall 2018; Doe Coover at the Doe Coover Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has acquired Saadia Faruqi's debut chapter book series, Yasmin. The series stars a Pakistani-American girl with a big imagination and a big heart. Publication of the as-yet-untitled first book is slated for fall 2018; Kari Sutherland at Bradford Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought Scientist, Scientist, What Do You See?, a scientific parody picture book by Goodnight Lab author-illustrator Chris Ferrie, which introduces readers to important figures in science. Publication is planned for April 2018; Ferrie was unagented.
Michael Green at Philomel has acquired world rights to The Day the Crayons Quit author Drew Daywalt's (l.) The Epic Adventures of Huggie and Stick, a buddy comedy starring a curmudgeonly stuffed bunny and a happy-go-lucky stick, illustrated by debut artist David Spencer. The book will publish in fall 2018; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and John Cusick at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the artist.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought Elise Primavera's (l.) new picture book, I'm a Baked Potato!, about a dog with a bit of an identity crisis. 2017 Pura Belpré Award winner and Juana and Lucas series creator Juana Medina will illustrate; publication is scheduled for spring 2019. Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Gillian MacKenzie at the Gillian MacKenzie Agency represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Kira Lynn at Kane Miller has acquired North American rights to Erin Dealey's (l.) Grandma's Favorite and the companion volume, Grandpa's Favorite. The rhyming picture books celebrate contemporary grandparents around the world. Luciana Navarro Powell will illustrate; publication is slated for June 2018. Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency did the deal for the author and the illustrator.
Kristen Nobles at Page Street Kids has bought world rights to Annie Cronin Romano's (l.) Night Train, illustrated by Ileana Soon. The debut picture book follows a steam engine's nighttime journey across various landscapes. Publication is planned for winter 2019; the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
Naomi Kirsten at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Karen Jameson's Woodland Dreams, a picture book celebrating the wonder of forest animals as they settle in for the night. Marc Boutavant will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2020. Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Amanda Mason at Heart Agency represented the illustrator.
