Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte has acquired Julie Buxbaum's novel The Side Door, about Los Angeles prep school student Chloe Wynn Berringer, who knee-deep in the misery of the college applications process when FBI agents arrive at her door to arrest her B-list-celebrity mother in connection with a college admissions scandal for which Chloe's mother—and Chloe herself—may face a lengthy prison sentence. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; Jennifer Joel at ICM Partners brokered the deal for U.S./Canadian/open market rights.
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has bought Apple: Skin to the Core, a YA memoir-in-verse by Eric Gansworth. The author tells the story of his life, of an Onondaga family living among Tuscaroras, and of Native people in America, including the damaging legacy of government boarding schools—and in doing so grapples with the slur common in Native communities, for someone “red on the outside, white on the inside,” and reclaims it. The book will publish in fall 2020; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world rights.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired Canadian author Brian Francis's debut YA novel, Break in Case of Emergency, a contemporary novel following 15-year-old Toby Goodman, whose plans to escape her small farming town are thrown off by the return of her absentee father, a world-renowned female impersonator on the downswing of fame. Publication is expected in February 2020 in the U.S., and the book will be released in Canada in September 2019 by HarperCollins Canada. Ron Eckel and Carolyn Buszynski at Cooke International represented the author in the deal for U.S. rights plus audio, on behalf of Dean Cooke at CookeMcDermid.
Ashley Hearn at Page Street has bought Stealing Home author Becky Wallace's YA romance, Far from Normal, which follows Maddie, whose less-than-stellar SAT scores mean she needs a glowing recommendation from her sports marketing internship to get into her dream college. But when the firm pairs her with 19-year-old MLS star Gabriel Fortunato, who's famous for flubbing Italy's World Cup hopes and crashing a Maserati, she finds herself in over her head. Publication is set for fall 2020; Mandy Hubbard and Garrett Alwert at Emerald City Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Katherine Jacobs at Roaring Brook has acquired Interabled: Love Stories by Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse author Shane Burcaw and Hannah Aylward. The book is an essay collection, profiling different interabled couples and including stories from Burcaw and Aylward's own relationship, as documented on their YouTube channel Squirmy and Grubs. The book is planned for winter 2021; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners handled the deal for North American rights.
Brittany Rubiano at Disney Book Group has signed Newbery Honor and Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin to write an original novel inspired by Disney's forthcoming live-action Mulan film. Lin will also illustrate the cover. Publication is slated for February 2020; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Margaret Raymo at HMH has bought world rights to Emmy in the Key of Code author Aimee Lucido's Recipe for Disaster for the Versify imprint. The middle grade novel is a hybrid of prose, verse, and recipes about a 12-year-old girl whose best friend's Bat Mitzvah inspires her to plan one for herself. But when she finds out that her Jewish and non-Jewish family is split on whether she is "Jewish enough" for one, she takes matters into her own hands to plan the rite of passage she craves, discovering her own Jewish identity along the way. Publication is set for spring 2021; Kathleen Rushall at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has acquired Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse author Marcy Campbell's first middle grade novel, Rearranged. The novel stars sixth grader Maggie, whose perfectly curated world is disrupted by the simultaneous arrival of a half-brother she never knew she had and the growing distance between her and her best friend from elementary school. When a school contest promises an opportunity to ignore these dramas, Maggie seizes it, but as familial struggles intensify, perfection is no longer an option. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Steven Malk at Writers House did the deal for world English rights.
Dana Chidiac at Dial has bought Matthew Landis's new middle grade novel, The Jokers. Joey isn't having the best seventh-grade year: his dad lost his job, his family lost their home, and he's about to lose his best friend to a private school. He wants to be a stand-up comedian, but nobody laughs at his recycled joke-book humor. When Joey finds the funny in his own life, he starts to feel at home again. Publication is scheduled for summer 2021; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Alice Jerman at HarperCollins has acquired Hanna Alkaf's middle grade debut, The Girl and the Ghost. A Malaysian folktale comes to life in the story about a girl who inherits a ghost from her witch grandmother, and while he's the companion the lonely girl needed, he's also much more than she bargained for. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Victoria Marini at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Daria Harper at Chronicle has bought, at auction, The Little Witch's Book of Spells by Ariel Kusby (l.). The illustrated compendium of spells, potions, and activities offers young witches-in-training a playful and immersive guide to the magical arts, while celebrating friendship, confidence, creativity, and an appreciation for the natural world. Olga Baumert will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2020. Soumeya Roberts at Hannigan Salky Getzler negotiated the deal for world English rights on behalf of the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrew Wooldridge at Orca has acquired world rights to Sara Cassidy's (l.) chapter book, Genius Joelene, illustrated by Charlene Chua. On her annual road trip with her trucker father, nearly-nine-year-old Joelene learns about onion rings, rock falls, and human kindness as she photographs things that are important to her—good or bad—for a school assignment. Publication is scheduled for spring 2020; the author was unagented, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Justin Chanda at Atheneum has bought world rights to This Pretty Planet by Grammy Award nominated musicians Tom Chapin (l.) and John Forster; Alexa Pastor will edit. The picture book, inspired by Chapin and Forster's song of the same name, celebrates the wonders of our planet and all the ways we interact with it. Lee White (r.) will illustrate, and publication is slated for fall 2020. Martha Kaplan at Martha Kaplan Agency represented the authors, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Tracy Gates at Viking has acquired two books by illustrator Dow Phumiruk. The first, Chubbsy, Phumiruk's author-illustrator debut, is a story of love and friendship between a girl and her pet monster. Publication is planned for fall 2020, with the second, untitled book to follow in 2021; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Jean Feiwel and Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends have bought You, a picture book by Words and Your Heart author Kate Jane Neal, about celebrating your differences and learning to love yourself. Publication is scheduled for winter 2021; Catherine Drayton at InkWell Management brokered the deal for U.S./Canadian rights on behalf of Philippa Milnes-Smith at the Soho Agency UK.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Raakhee Mirchandani's (l.) Hair Twins, a picture book about the special bond between a Sikh father and daughter as they go through their daily hair routine. Holly Hatam will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2021. Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Christy Tugeau Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Tom Peterson at the Creative Company has bought world rights to The Motorcycle Queen, written by Eugenie Havemeyer and illustrated by Paul Davey, a picture book biography of Bessie Stringfield, an African-American woman who rode her motorcycle solo across the segregated South. The book will be published in spring 2021; the author represented herself, and the illustrator was represented by Alexandra Gehringer at the Bright Agency.
Maria Dismondy at Cardinal Rule has acquired world rights to Raja's Pet Camel, a picture book set in India by Anita Amin, a tale of hope, love, and determination for children who want to own a pet. Parwinder Singh will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2020. Amanda Hendon at Advocate Art Agency represented the artist.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard has acquired an as-yet untitled YA novel by sisters Maika Moulite (l.) and Maritza Moulite, in which a teen girl decides to honor the memory of her sister who died in police custody by taking a road trip inspired by her history buff sister's heirloom copy of the Green Book, the civil rights-era guide to safe traveling for African-Americans. Publication is tentatively set for fall 2020; the deal for North American and audio rights was negotiated by JL Stermer at New Leaf Literary & Media.
Jennie Conway at Wednesday Books has bought, in a two-book deal, Down Comes the Night by debut author Allison Saft, a gothic romance set in a Guillermo del Toro-esque world. The book is about a healer torn between duty and her heart, a soldier broken by his crimes, and the darkness that threatens to consume them. Publication is planned for winter 2021; Claire Friedman and Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management brokered the deal for U.S./Canadian rights.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired world rights to the mixed genre anthology Rural Voices: YA Stories About Growing Up in Remote Communities by Nora Shalaway Carpenter. The collection challenges the stereotype of a monolithic rural America and explores the complexity, beauty, and nuances of growing up in small communities. Contributors—who are diverse in ethnic background, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and gender identity—include Joseph Bruchac, Veeda Bybee, David Macinnis Gill, Estelle Laure, and Tirzah Price. The book is due in fall 2020; Victoria Wells Arms at Wells Arms Literary/Hannigan Salky Getzler handled the deal.
Kate O'Sullivan at HMH has bought David Elliott's The Seventh Raven, a YA retelling of the Brothers Grimm story “The Seven Ravens.” Elliott's verse narrative follows a girl determined to rescue her brothers while exploring themes of balance, transformation, and restoration. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Erica Finkel at Abrams has acquired, at auction, Tony Award nominee Ali Stroker (l.) and Stacy Davidowitz's The Chance to Fly, a middle grade novel about 14-year-old Nat Beacon, a Broadway superfan who happens to use a wheelchair, and the summer she overcomes fears to turn her fandom into stardom. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Hannah Mann at Writers House did the deal for world English rights.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought Debra L. Green's contemporary middle-grade novel, Violet and the Pie of Life. Interspersed with graphs and charts, the story is about a math-loving girl who is forced out of her comfort zone when she's cast in a lead role in the school play and finds herself not only having to come to terms with her father's disappearance, but also discovering new truths about courage and friendship. Publication is set for spring 2021; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Catherine Laudone at Simon & Schuster has acquired, in a preempt, Muffled, a middle grade novel by Jennifer Gennari. Ten-year-old Amelia struggles with a noise sensitivity but with the help of noise-muffling earmuffs and her loving parents, she finds the courage to step out of her comfort zone and forge new friendships with her classmates. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has bought Explore Your World: Weird, Wild, Amazing! by scientist and explorer Tim Flannery. The book introduces readers to some of the most spectacular, bizarre, and fascinating creatures on Earth, and aims to ignite the environmental passion in every young eco-warrior. Publication is scheduled for summer/fall 2020; Catherine Drayton at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for U.S./Canadian rights on behalf of Hardie Grant Egmont.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired The Sloth Scientist with text and photos by wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas. This middle grade nonfiction work takes readers on a journey of adventure and discovery with Becky Cliffe, who studies wild sloths in the jungles of Costa Rica and Panama. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors, on behalf of Caroline Montgomery at the Rupert Crew Agency, represented the project in the deal for world rights.
Christy Ottaviano at Christy Ottaviano Books has bought world rights to Gabi Swiatkowska's Picture, a picture book exploration of 15 canonical paintings throughout art history from the perspective of a girl. The journey begins with masterworks by Goya and ends with Pollack. Publication is due in fall 2021; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the author-illustrator.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has acquired author-illustrator and former wildland firefighter Danny Popovici's debut picture book, The Fox and the Forest Fire, about a boy who lives in a cabin in the woods, and a fox who also makes his home there, as they escape a forest fire and save their families, but lose their homes. Publication is scheduled for fall 2021; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Jill Santopolo at Philomel has bought North American rights to Waiting for You, a picture book by National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff (l.), illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. In the celebration of the love of a new baby in all kinds of families, parents recount the anticipation of their babies' arrivals at every stage of the way, “from pea to pumpkin.” Publication is set for summer 2020; Stephen Barbara at InkWell Management represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Group represented the illustrator.
Kira Lynn at Kane Miller acquired North American rights to Lights Out, Leonard by Australian singer-songwriter Josh Pyke (l.) and illustrated by Chris Nixon. The picture book offers a reassuring and creative way to combat nighttime monsters. Publication is planned for summer 2020; Allison Hellegers at Rights People handled the deal on behalf of Eleanor Shorne Holden at Penguin Random House Australia.
Sylvie Frank at S&S/Wiseman has bought world rights to Gabi Snyder's (l.) tentatively titled picture book, Listen, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. The book begins with noise: the BEEP! WOOF! ERNT-ERNT! VROOM! of a busy morning, and draws the reader closer as it encourages listening to quieter and quieter sounds. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Natalie Lakosil at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Kribs at Tundra has acquired National Geographic explorer Jill Heinerth's (l.) debut picture book, The Aquanaut, illustrated by Jaime Kim. Alternating between Heinerth's childhood spent dreaming of new worlds to explore and her work as a professional underwater photographer and aquanaut today, the book aims to inspire readers to have the courage to dream big and discover the wonders around them. Publication is set for spring 2021; Rick Broadhead at Rick Broadhead & Associates represented the author, and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the artist in the deal for world rights.
Nivair Gabriel at Barefoot Books has bought The Bread Pet, written by Barefoot senior editor Kate DePalma (l.) and illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff. The picture book follows a girl whose sourdough starter grows wild, threatening to take over her Mum and Mama's house until she comes up with a generous solution. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; the illustrator represented herself in the deal for world rights.
Alexis Orgera and Chad Reynolds at Penny Candy have signed poet and visual artist Bianca Stone to illustrate a picture book version of Gertrude Stein’s poem “A Little Called Pauline.” From Stein's 1914 book Tender Buttons, the poem features a strong-willed girl who bucks conventions. Stein was a fixture in the American expatriate scene in Paris in the early 1900s, and was an important figure in the development of the Modernist movement in poetry. Stone has published two collections of poetry, one book of poetry comics, and has illustrated poet Anne Carson’s translation of Antigone. A Little Called Pauline will be Stone's debut picture book. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Stone was unagented.
Christopher Robbins at Familius has acquired world rights to The Lady and the Laundry by Kathy MacMillan (l.), a picture book about a mother and her child's playful bond during laundry time. Julia Castaño will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2020. The author represented herself, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
