Ruta Rimas at S&S/McElderry has acquired, in an exclusive submission, North American rights to Sanctuary Highway, a YA novel by Ellen Hopkins. Pitched as The Underground Railroad with a contemporary YA spin, the book takes place in a near future in which things continue to go along the current trajectory politically, and the America of the story is an even darker version of the one we know now. The book is slated for fall 2019; Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has bought Candace Fleming's untitled YA biography of Charles Lindbergh. The book aims to provide a closer, more critical look at the American hero based on current scholarship and new revelations. Publication is planned for fall 2019; Ethan Ellenberg at Ethan Ellenberg Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Rhea Lyons at Rodale Kids has acquired North American rights to Savannah Maddison's nonfiction middle grade book, The Bridge Between Here and There, a memoir and guide to writing letters as a means of drawing people around the world closer together. The book is based on Maddison's experience building her nonprofit Savannah's Soldiers, which helps kids connect to deployed troops through letter-writing campaigns. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; Kirsten Neuhaus at Foundry Literary + Media represented the project.
Georgia McBride at Month9Books has bought Tales of the Egyptified Jonseses: Ankh by Malayna Evans. Pitched as The Red Pyramid meets Back to the Future, the book is about an 11-year-old biracial kid from Chicago's South Side who is transported 3,000 years back in time to the ancient Egyptian court with his nine-year-old sister, and given one week to save the royal family. Publication is set for May 2019; Liza Fleissig at the Liza Royce Agency negotiated the three-book deal for world English rights.
Erica Finkel at Abrams has acquired world rights to Emma Wunsch's (l.) first two books in the Miranda and Maude series, illustrated by Jessika von Innerebner. The chapter book series is about the unexpected friendship between a princess and a social justice advocate. It will launch in fall 2018; Rachel Orr at the Prospect Agency represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Katherine Jacobs at Roaring Brook has bought, at auction, two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt's (l.) picture book, So Tall Within, a look at the indomitable spirit of Sojourner Truth, who escaped slavery and fought for freedom, women's rights, and the dignity of all people. Coretta Scott King Honor winner Daniel Minter will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2018. Rick Margolis at Rising Bear Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself in the deal for world rights.
Susan Kochan at Putnam has acquired, in a four-house auction, author-illustrator Deb Pilutti's Old Rock, a story about a rock that has been sitting in the same spot for as long as anyone can remember. But Old Rock's life story reveals daring adventures and exciting journeys. Publication is planned for 2020; Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought 2017 Emily Dickinson First Book Award-winning YA and middle grade author Kristen Tracy's (l.) debut picture books, A Cub Story and A Kit Story, about a bear and a fox encountering the world on their own terms. Alison Farrell, recipient of SCBWI's Portfolio Prize, will illustrate both books, which will be published in spring and fall 2020, respectively. Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Chris Paul and Hilary Van Dusen at Candlewick Press have acquired world rights to The Flying Paintings of Wuming: The True Story of Two Chinese Brothers by Amy Alznauer, illustrated by the Zhou Brothers, who are the subjects of the book. The tale of a besieged family, a wise old grandmother, and a country in the midst of revolution centers on these two brothers who, inspired by an ancient legend, confront conflict and free their imaginations by painting together on the same canvas. The book is scheduled for fall 2020; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author and the illustrators.
While at Roaring Brook, Claire Dorsett bought, at auction, sibling co-writing team Tara Luebbe (l.) and Becky Cattie's Conan the Librarian, a look at what happens when a mighty raider is initiated into the world of reading. Mekisha Telfer will edit. Publication is set for 2019, with a second book to follow in 2020; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Christy Cox at Sasquatch/Little Bigfoot has acquired world rights to Grizzly Boy by Barbara Davis-Pyles (l.), illustrated by Tracy Subisak, the story of a boy who wakes up one day determined he's a grizzly bear. Publication is slated for September 2018; the author represented herself, and Emily Mitchell of the Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the illustrator.
Tracy Mack at Scholastic Press has bought world rights to Charlotte Agell's (l.) picture book Maybe Tomorrow, about two friends who navigate friendship, loss, and healing. Pixar artist Ana Ramirez will illustrate; publication is planned for 2019. Edite Kroll at Edite Kroll Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has acquired world rights to Randi Sonenshine's (l.) This Is the Nest That Wren Built, a nonfiction picture book that follows a pair of avian engineers as they design and build a nest for their future hatchlings. Anne Hunter will illustrate; publication is set for 2020. Kendra Marcus at Book Stop Literary represented the author, and Rosemary Stimola of Simola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has bought, in a preempt, world rights to I Will Be Fierce by Cailín McCarthy Garfunkel writing as Bea Birdsong (l.), illustrated by Pashmina creator Nidhi Chanani. The book features a girl who tackles every element in her day with courage and fortitude, much like the heroine in a fairy tale. Publication is scheduled for spring 2019; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong represented the author, and Judith Hansen at Hansen Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired world rights to The Itty Bitty Witch by Punk Skunks author Trisha Speed Shaskan (l.), illustrated by Xindi Yan. Betty Ann Batsworth is the littlest witch around. After being called “Itty Bitty” one too many times, she thinks up her biggest idea yet—winning the Halloween Broom Dash. Publication is slated for fall 2019; Sara Crowe of Pippin Properties represented the author, and Christy Tugeau Ewers of the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to debut author Gloria Respress-Churchwell's (l.) picture book, Follow Chester! A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History, about the first black college football player (Chester Pierce of Harvard) to play a football game at a southern school (UVA) in 1947. The book will be illustrated by Laura Freeman, illustrator of Hidden Figures: A True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race. Publication is planned for summer 2019; the author represented herself, and Janet DeCarlo of StoryBook Arts represented the illustrator.
Tiffany Shelton at Wednesday Books has acquired world rights to bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz's Jane Anonymous, a novel recounting a 17-year-old girl's seven months in captivity and her struggle to fit back into her life. Publication is planned for winter 2020; Kathryn Green at Kathryn Green Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought two picture books by SCBWI Portfolio Prize winner Alison Farrell. The Hike is about three girls and their outdoor adventures; the second book is an as-yet-untitled followup to Farrell's forthcoming debut, Cycle City. The Hike is slated for fall 2019; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties brokered the deal for world rights.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has acquired the picture book Four Ways to Trap a Leprechaun by 7 Ate 9 and The Monstore author Tara Lazar (l.), illustrated by Vivienne To. The book follows a curious girl's quest to prove that leprechauns are real. The book will release in winter 2020; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Christy Cox at Sasquatch/Little Bigfoot has bought world rights to Cryptid Creatures Field Guide by Kelly Milner Halls, illustrated by Rick Spears, which details various Cryptids such as Bigfoot. Publication is scheduled for September 2019; both the author and the illustrator represented themselves.
