Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has acquired, in a preempt, author of the memoirs Never Have I Ever and Would You Rather? and senior writer for The Cut Katie Heaney's first YA book, Girl, Crushed. Pitched as Leah on the Offbeat meets We Are Okay, the novel follows a high school senior, Quinn, torn between her lingering feelings for her first girlfriend, who just dumped her, and her crush on the rich, beautiful (and probably straight) lead singer of the local rock band. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Allison Hunter at Janklow & Nesbit brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic and Linas Alsenas at Scholastic UK have bought world rights to P.M. Freestone's Shadowscent, a YA fantasy debut set in a world where magic is linked to scent. The story follows a 17-year-old with a talent for "scentlore" who, after being accused of poisoning the crown prince, must clear her name by finding an antidote. Accompanied by the prince's mysterious bodyguard, the unlikely pair go on the run, racing to save themselves, the people they love, and the empire itself. Publication is set to begin in 2019; Josh Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the two-book deal in the U.S., and Caroline Walsh at David Higham Associates in London negotiated the U.K. deal.
Namrata Tripathi at Kokila has acquired at auction Patron Saints of Nothingby Randy Ribay. High school senior Jay Reguero returns to his birthplace in the Philippines to investigate the untimely death of his cousin at the hands of President Duterte's "war on drugs." But instead of finding answers, he is faced with even more questions of identity, faith, and family. Publication is slated for summer 2019; Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Caroline Bliss Larsen at Flux has bought world rights to a YA sci-fi thriller Ricochet by Kathryn Berla. Seventeen-year-old Tatiana is living four different-but-parallel lives in the multiverse and must stop her megalomaniac scientist father in each one. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; the author represented herself.
Julie Matysik at Running Press Kids has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Erica George's (l.) debut novel, Words Composed of Sea and Sky, with poetry by Jamie Gelman. The book alternates points of view between Michaela, a teenage girl who uses poetry to escape her home life, and Leta, who lived in the same quaint Cape Cod town during the height of Yankee whaling more than a century before, who also used poetry to escape the social conformities of her time. Publication is planned for summer 2021; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Brittany Rubiano at Disney Press has signed Aisha Saeed to write Far from Agrabah, an original novel inspired by the forthcoming live-action Aladdin film. Publication is set for spring 2019; Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Dana Carey at Random House/Wendy Lamb has bought Pickle author Kim Baker's new middle grade novel, The Water Bears, in which 13-year-old Newt Gomez tries to recover from a bear attack and have a normal life on an eclectic island with a maybe-lake monster, a bear statue that may grant wishes, an imminent vaudeville festival, and a temperamental former taco truck. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties did the deal for North American rights.
Anne Schwartz at Random House/Schwartz & Wade has acquired Daniel Miyares's Ship Shape, a story of perseverance, love, and change that parallels the journey of an 1800s tall ship and the parent/child bond that carries a family through the storms of life. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Studio Goodwin Sturges brokered the deal for world rights.
Kristen Nobles at Page Street Kids has bought I Am Not Leaving Without a Hug, written and illustrated by Amy Nielander. The nearly wordless picture book follows the relationship between a space-loving girl genius and her grandmother, who always part ways with a hug, no matter what. Publication for the book is planned for winter 2020; Courtney Burke will edit. Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Taking the Mic, a picture-book anthology edited by Jeanette Bradley (l.), Keila V. Dawson, and Lindsay H. Metcalf, and illustrated by Bradley, featuring 14 young contemporary American activists, each spotlighted by a well-known poet. Subjects include literacy activist Marley Dias, water protector Jasilyn Charger, Scouts for Equality founder Zach Wahls, and immigration reformer Viridiana Sanchez Santos. Contributors include Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Lesléa Newman, and Guadalupe Garcia McCall. Publication is set for fall 2020; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt did deal for the co-editors.
Christian Trimmer at Henry Holt has bought world rights to V Is for Voting by Kate Farrell (l.), illustrated by Caitlin Kuhwald. The rhyming text introduces the youngest of readers to important civics concepts and the power of the vote. The book is slated for spring 2020; the author represented herself, and Edward Maxwell at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the illustrator.
Rotem Moscovich and Heather Crowley at Disney-Hyperion have acquired world rights to Bedtime Ballet by Kallie George (l.), illustrated by Shanda McCloskey, a picture book about a girl and her teddy who tackle the troubles of bedtime with the power of ballet dance. Publication is scheduled for winter 2021; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Liza Baker at Scholastic has bought world English rights to Julie Appel (l.) and Amy Guglielmo's Peek-a-Boo Art, a novelty board book series that introduces little ones to famous works of art. Appel and Guglielmo are the co-authors of the Touch the Art series. Publication of the new series will begin in 2019 with Goodnight, Starry Night; Stephen Barbara at Inkwell Management represented the co-authors in the two-book deal.
Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has acquired world rights to The Good Song, a picture book by Alexandria Giardino (l.) (Ode to an Onion), illustrated by Penelope Dullaghan. The book is about Hawaiian musician Israel (Iz) Kamakawiwo'ole, and the inspiration behind his beloved melody, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," featuring the lyrics to the song. Publication is planned for spring 2020; the author represented herself, and the illustrator was represented by Scott Hull at Scott Hull Associates.
Jes Negrón at Kane Press has bought world rights to Brown Sugar Babe by Charlotte Watson Sherman (l.), illustrated by Akem. The picture book offers a poetic exploration of the beauty and power of brown skin. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; the author represented herself, and Michelle Witte at Mansion Street Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Alexis Orgera and Chad Reynolds at Penny Candy Books have signed a deal with debut picture book author Dani Gabriel and artist Robert Liu-Trujillo (Furqan's First Flat Top) for world rights to Sam Not Samuel, a picture book about a transgender boy and his family's journey through his transition. The book was inspired by the author's son's story, and will be published on September 10, 2019; the author and the illustrator were unagented.
Kristin Daly Rens at Balzer + Bray has acquired world English rights to Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch (l.) and Kristen Simmons, a duology set in a Greco-Roman inspired world. Pitched as Gladiator meets The Hunger Games, the series follows the daughter of a murdered champion seeking vengeance against the god of fire, and an underprivileged stonemason fighting to reclaim his standing under the god of earth, as they are swept into an ancient war between gods and mortals. Publication is projected for spring 2020; Mackenzie Brady Watson at Stuart Krichevsky Agency represented Raasch, and Joanna MacKenzie at Nelson Literary Agency represented Simmons.
Michelle Frey at Knopf has bought North American rights to Blood Rose Rebellion author Rosalyn Eves's new YA historical novel, A Nation Like Stars, about a 19th-century Mormon girl who unwittingly becomes involved in a railway heist, and—if she can't return the stolen device to its rightful owner before the 1878 total solar eclipse—might lose not only her own life, but might alter the future of American science and magic. Publication is planned for 2020; Josh Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the deal.
Scholastic/Levine has acquired Bethany C. Morrow's YA mixed-media anthology, Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance, including contemporary pieces by Samira Ahmed, Jason Reynolds, Darcie Little Badger, Keah Brown, and LeKesha Lewis. Weslie Turner made the acquisition and Kait Feldmann will edit. The world rights deal was handled by Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency and Louise Fury at the Bent Agency, in association with Victoria Marini.
Ruta Rimas at McElderry Books has bought author of See All the Stars and All Eyes on Us Kit Frick's new YA novel, Windermere. Pitched as Serialmeets a contemporary retelling of Rebecca, the psychological suspense story follows a college-bound girl who takes a position as a summer nanny in the Hamptons only to become the prime suspect in a murder investigation. The book is told in alternating “then” and “now” chapters, including the transcript of a fictionalized true crime podcast. Publication is expected in summer 2020; Erin Harris at Folio Literary Management/Folio Jr. brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
Liza Kaplan at Philomel has acquired Jenny Torres Sanchez's new book, In Exile. Told from the alternating points of view of four immigrant teens and the infamous death train known as La Bestia that carries them across the Mexican-U.S. border, the book charts the emotional and physical struggles of being forced to leave behind everything and everyone you've ever known in search of survival and a better life. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan did the deal for North American rights.
Namrata Tripathi at Kokila has bought, at auction, Electric Arches author Eve L. Ewing's first book for middle grade readers, Maya and the Robot. The story follows a precocious fifth-grader and her robot sidekick, whose friendship helps her navigate a difficult start to the school year and the legacy of a tragedy in her Chicago neighborhood. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Chris Parris-Lamb at the Gernert Company negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Olivia Swomley at Workman has acquired a three-book sports series by Derrick Barnes. In 2018, Barnes won the Ezra Jack Keats Award for outstanding new writer, and his picture book, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, garnered Newbery and Caldecott Honors and two Coretta Scott King Honors. The first book in the new series, Bigger Than Baseball: The People, Places, and Plays That Changed Our World, will be his nonfiction debut. The series is set to launch in 2020; Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown has bought Jennifer Torres's The Fresh New Face of Griselda, a middle grade novel about Griselda's struggles with the changes in her family after they lose their home, and her plan to fix their problems by selling makeup at school. Publication is planned for fall 2019; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Chelsea Eberly at Random House has acquired debut author Arianne Costner's My Life as a Potato, a middle grade novel about a boy who believes he is cursed by potatoes and is forced to be his school's mascot—a potato called Steve the Spud—as he navigates a new school and friendships. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020, followed by a second untitled middle grade novel in spring 2021; Amber Caravéo at Skylark Literary sold world rights.
Tracee Groff and Pete Schiffer at Schiffer Books have bought world rights to a middle grade graphic novel adaptation of The Way I Was, the adult memoir of the late Broadway and Hollywood composer Marvin Hamlisch (l.), co-written with Gerald Gardner. French-American artist Ian David Marsden will adapt. The pub date for the graphic novel is spring 2020; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the estate of Marvin Hamlisch, Gardner, and Marsden.
Jill Davis at HarperCollins has acquired North American English rights to a middle grade novel, Queen Bee Rules, from Newbery Honor author Susan Campbell Bartoletti (l.), with artwork by Genevieve Godbout. The story follows the adventures of a queen bee who craves more than a life of laying eggs, and goes on an adventure. The book is slated for publication in winter 2020; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown Ltd. represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the artist.
Megan Tingley has bought world rights to The Sun Shines Everywhere by children's poet laureate Mary Ann Hoberman, with art by Luciano Lozano, a celebration in verse of all the different people and communities that share one sun. Publication is set for spring 2019; Gina Maccoby at Gina Maccoby Literary represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird represented the artist.
Michael Joosten at Random House has acquired world rights to Stonewall: A Building. An Uprising. A Revolution by Rob Sanders (l.), illustrated by Jamey Christoph, the first picture book about the 1969 Stonewall uprising and its critical role in the gay civil rights movement. Sanders is also the author of Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag. The book will be published in April 2019 in advance of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising and for World Pride 2019; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content brokered the deal.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has bought world rights to Counting Elephants by Dawn Young, illustrated by Fermin Solis. The picture book mixes math and magic in a dialogue-only story about a magician whose tricks make it impossible for his friend to count how many elephants are on the page. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Mary Cummings at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises represented the author, and Aurora Meyer at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Tamar Brazis at Abrams has acquired world English rights to Rad!, a picture book by Anne Bustard (Anywhere but Paradise) about a fraidy-cat who overcomes his fears of skateboarding thanks to a supportive litter of siblings. Daniel Wiseman (When Your Lion Needs a Bath) will illustrate, and Courtney Code will edit. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Racing Around the World: Two Lady Journalists, 75 Days, a picture book written by Caroline Starr Rose (l.). The book tells the true story of Nellie Bly, who in 1889 set out across the Atlantic on a journey around the world that she hoped to complete in less than 80 days, and her rival, Elizabeth Bisland, who embarked on a competing westward trip the very same day. Alexandra Bye will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2019. Tracey Adams at Adams Literary represented the author, and Emily Coggins at Astound represented the illustrator.
Tara Walker at Tundra Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Princess Puffybottom… and Darryl, a new picture book from No Fixed Address author Susin Nielsen (l.). The book is about a pampered cat who is not amused when her “subjects” allow an unwanted intruder into her “kingdom.” Olivia Chin Mueller will illustrate; publication is scheduled for spring 2019. Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists negotiated the deal for Nielsen, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented Mueller.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Erin Dealey's (l.) picture book, Snowglobe Wishes, about the hope and joy that beckons both young and old, strangers and neighbors, outside to a brilliant snowglobe morning after the worst snowstorm of the year. Claire Shorrock will illustrate; publication is slated for winter 2019. Deborah Warren at East/West Literary Agency represented the author, and Chloe Morgan at Plum Pudding represented the illustrator.
Carol Malnor at Dawn Publications has acquired world rights to If You Played Hide and Seek with a Chameleon, You'd Lose by Bill Wise, illustrated by Rebecca Evans. In the picture book, children entertain the idea of playing games with various animals but soon discover the animals are better equipped than they expected. Publication is planned for fall 2019; the author is unagented, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Charlotte Wenger at Page Street Kids has bought world rights to Victoria Cossack's debut picture book, Gus, about a fisherman, his plan to become world-famous, and the clever fish that help him catch an even greater reward. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; the author-illustrator was unagented.
