Mallory Kass at Scholastic has acquired Anxious Girl Summer by Kara McDowell (One Way or Another), pitched as a While You Were Sleeping-inspired YA romantic comedy. After 16-year-old Gemma, who has undiagnosed Social Anxiety Disorder, rescues her longtime crush from drowning and he ends up in a brief coma, people mistakenly assume she's his girlfriend. As the story spirals and Gemma finds herself at the center of attention, she must decide which truths to keep, and what—and who—she most wants to protect. Publication is set for spring 2022; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for world English rights.
Kate Prosswimmer at S&S/McElderry has bought YA novel Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow. The emotional literary mystery follows a girl who lives on a beautiful island plagued by unsolved deaths of young women; while healing from her own traumatic loss, she begins to investigate the murders, meets a new girl, and discovers the truth that connects them all. Publication is planned for summer 2022; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal for North American rights.
Aimee Friedman at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, a YA suspense novel by bestselling author Luanne Rice (Last Day; Pretend She's Here). When Annabelle's best friend is murdered, she must unravel the mystery her friend was in the midst of solving, one that may involve a popular true-crime podcast. Publication is scheduled for 2022; Andrea Cirillo and Jessica Errera at Jane Rotrosen Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Robin Herrera, formerly at Oni Press, bought world rights to Eat Your Heart Out, written by Terry Blas (l.) and Matty Newton, illustrated by Lydia Anslow. A Latinx girl from Idaho graduates from high school and is pressured by her mother to live the life she's planned out for her. Impulsively, she runs away and finds herself in New York, where she shares adventures with new friends and learns to live a life she loves. Shawna Gore will edit; publication is slated for fall 2022. Kate McKean at Morhaim Literary represented Blas, and Newton and Anslow represented themselves.
Kevin Stevens at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to The White House Wild Child: Alice Roosevelt, Molded by a President's Grief and Driven by a Haunted Childhood by Shelley Fraser Mickle (Borrowing Life). Prominent socialite and writer Alice Roosevelt was orphaned at birth—not only by her mother's death but also by the grief of her father, President Theodore Roosevelt. Publication is tentatively set for fall 2021; Mark Gottlieb at the Trident Media Group did the deal.
Kate Harrison at Dial has bought, in a four-house auction, rights to Nic Yulo's debut picture book, Patch of Sky, about Pia, a determined girl who will do anything to help her pig BFF, Patches, see the sky. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Alexandra Levick at Writers House brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired author-illustrator Skylaar Amann's Smile, Sophia, a feminist picture book in which a dino-loving girl decides to smile when she feels like it, not when others expect it. Publication is planned for planned 2022; Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra Literary negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Michelle Frey and Chris Myers at Make Me a World have bought, in an exclusive submission, We Always Had Wings, a picture book by filmmaker, muralist, and poet Jess X. Snow. A girl is afraid to fly across the Pacific back to the land of her birth, only to be reminded by her Mama that she was once a bird. As she rediscovers her forgotten wings, the girl learns that while she will always have multiple homes, she can always find safety in the sky. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates did the deal for world rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has acquired Year of the Cat by Richard Ho (Red Rover), illustrated by Jocelyn Li Langrand. This subversive tale reimagines the origin story of the Chinese zodiac, exploring what might have happened after poor Cat is tricked and left off the roster. Publication is set for fall 2022. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author in a two-book deal for North American English rights, with a second picture book in development. Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary represented the illustrator for North American rights.
Lynne Polvino at Clarion has bought world rights to Right Now! Real Kids Speaking Up for Change by Miranda Paul (l.). The picture book introduces readers to young people from around the world whose voices are making a difference. Brittany Jackson will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2021. The author represented herself, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Paulsen has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Henna Garden, a picture book by Varsha Bajaj (l.), illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan, featuring a girl who is learning to create beautiful henna tattoos (mehndi), an art that has been handed down through the generations. Publication is expected in fall 2023; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Beth Terrill at NorthSouth has bought world rights to Violet and the Crumbs by Abigail Rayner (l.) (I Am a Thief!). Newly diagnosed with celiac disease, Violet is having trouble navigating her new gluten-free life. After she stands up for some animal friends with their own food restrictions, she learns to do the same for herself. Molly Ruttan, who illustrated I Am a Thief!, will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2022. Erica Bauman at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the illustrator.
Christina Pulles at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to She's on the Money, a nonfiction picture book by debut author Andrea Hall (l.) and illustrator Li Zhang. The book profiles 15 extraordinary women from around the world who have appeared on coins or bills, and examines how they were chosen. Publication is slated for fall 2021; the author represented herself, and Karen Kaller at IllustrationX represented the illustrator.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has bought world rights to Agatha May and the Anglerfish, co-written by Printz Honor author Jessie Ann Foley (l.) and scuba divemaster Nora Morrison (c.), illustrated by Mika Song (r.). The picture book follows a girl whose obsession with science, learning, and the mysterious deep-sea anglerfish wins the hearts of her skeptical classmates. Publication is set for fall 2022; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the co-authors, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Eliza Swift at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Miry Whitehill's (l.) and Jennifer Jackson's Our World Is Family, a picture book exploring why people move around the world and how we can welcome our new neighbors with love, inspired by the nonprofit organization "Miry's List," which assists families resettling as refugees in America. Nomar Perez will illustrate; publication is planned for spring 2022. Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary represented the authors, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has bought world rights to two novelty books, Welcome to My School! and Modern House, by Maria Carluccio. The first brings young readers through the rooms of their preschool, showing fun, familiar activities that take place there. The second is an architectural board book. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023 and fall 2023, respectively; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated the deal.
Emily Easton at Crown has acquired Draw Your Day for Kids by Samantha Dion Baker, a kids' version of the Instagram artist's Draw Your Day, a guide to daily creativity. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Laura Lee Mattingly at Present Perfect Literary brokered the deal for U.S., Canadian, and open market rights.
Jennifer Newens at West Margin has bought world rights to Wake, Sleepy One by Lisa D. Kerr. This story about the California wildflower super bloom that happens every spring follows the heliotropic behavior of the plant, from seed to flower to super bloom. Publication is planned for April 2022; Victoria Selvaggio at Storm Literary did the deal.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired You Truly Assumed by debut author Laila Sabreen, an #OwnVoices contemporary YA novel told from the perspectives of three Black Muslim teens living in different parts of the country, who start a blog to fight Islamophobia and find friendship and hope as they let their voices be heard. Publication is planned for winter 2022; Kat Kerr at Donald Maass Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Liz Szabla and Foyinsi Adegbonmire at Feiwel and Friends have bought Golden Ticket, a middle grade novel by Kate Egan (the Magic Shop series) about a fifth grade girl in her school's Gifted and Talented program who is suddenly falling behind and must find a new way of being special. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Nancy Gallt at Gallt and Zacker Literary did the deal for world rights.
Joni Sussman at Lerner/Kar-Ben has acquired world rights to The Button Box by Bridget Hodder (l.) and Fawzia Gilani Williams, an #OwnVoices middle grade based in part on actual historical events. A Sephardic Jewish girl and a Muslim boy are transported into the past by a button from their Granny's mysterious Button Box. They land in long-ago North Africa just in time to help their ancestor, a Jewish spice-seller girl, save the life of a fleeing Muslim prince. Publication is set for fall 2022; the authors represented themselves.
Laura Godwin at Godwin Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, AI, a graphic novel by Guojing (The Only Child). AI is about a world destroyed by pollution—and the two children who must find their way through it, under the care of an oft-absent human mother and a loving AI mother. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors handled the deal for world English rights.
Samantha Swenson at Tundra has acquired, in a preempt, in a two-book deal, world rights to Esme's Birthday Conga Line by Lourdes Heuer (l.), illustrated by Marissa Valdez. This early chapter book stars Esme, a plucky girl who lives in the uppermost floor of (what she thinks is) the topmost best building in her neighborhood, and who is sure she can plan her own birthday party when her Mimi and Pipo forget. Publication is planned for spring 2022 and spring 2023; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary represented the creators.
Kate Harrison at Dial has bought world rights to Meg Fleming's (l.) Rock That Vote, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins, a rhythmic call to action highlighting the power of voting through students' selection of their new class pet. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the creators.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Paulsen has acquired author-illustrator C.S. Jennings's picture book Too Close Panda, a look at how close is too close when a loving panda wants to express himself. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Desert Queen by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli. This picture book biography in verse follows the life of Rajasthani drag performer Queen Harish, known as the Whirling Desert Queen of Rajasthan. Lit by an inner fire and propelled by a family tragedy, Harish defied the gender conventions of middle-class Indian life, battled discrimination and intimidation, and eventually grew up to dance with Bollywood movie stars and on stages across the world. Publication is set for spring 2023; Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Emily Easton at Crown has acquired world rights to The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars by Rachel Montez Minor (l.), illustrated by Annie Won, a story that celebrates all children and their unique power to create light around them and inspire the people they love through their connection to the universe. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Lacy Lynch at Dupree Miller & Associates and Victoria Morris at Lexikat Artists represented the author, and Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the illustrator.
Ellen Cormier at Dial has bought, in a preempt, One More Jar of Jam by Michelle Sumovich (l.), a debut picture book that explores the importance of a backyard mulberry tree, and a child's reluctance to share its fruit. Through joy, loss, and acceptance, the child discovers the tree's role in the community, and finds that the sweetest moments are yet to come. Gracey Zhang will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2023. Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the creators in the two-book deal for world rights.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft has acquired Seasonal Adventures, written by Johnny Ray Moore (l.), a poet and songwriter. It is illustrated by Cbabi Bayoc, known for his 365 Days with Dad series. This poetry book explores the joys of African American fatherhood throughout the seasons. Publication is set for spring 2021; the author was unagented, and Michelle Roundtree at WE Management Services represented the illustrator.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has acquired world rights to The Biggest Little Boy: A Christmas Story by CNN news anchor Poppy Harlow (l.) and illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. Inspired by a stroll Harlow and her two-year-old son Luca took through a Brooklyn Christmas tree market, the picture book follows a boy who loves big things and wants the biggest Christmas tree of all, but learns that what matters most is having a big heart. Publication is slated for fall 2021; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristine Enderle at Magination Press has bought world rights to The Fairy Project: Bio of Evelyn Hooker by Stonewall Award-winning author Gayle E. Pitman. Evelyn Hooker's groundbreaking psychological research, advocacy, and allyship led to the removal of the "homosexuality" diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The Fairy Project is written primarily in verse as a collection of poems, with sidebars and photographs providing additional historical information. Sarah Green will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2021. Deborah Warren at East-West Literacy represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to debut author Karen M. Greenwald's (l.) A Vote for Susanna: The First Woman Mayor, about what happened in 1887 when a group of men in Kansas put a woman's name on their city's ballot as a joke to discourage women from voting—as told to a boy by his grandmother who remembered the incident. Sian James will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2021. Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Sam Groff at Advocate represented the illustrator.
Emilie and Dana Buchwald at Gryphon Press have bought world rights to Jake and Ava: A Boy and a Fish, a picture book written by Jonathan Balcombe (What a Fish Knows) and illustrated by Rebecca Evans. On his first fishing trip with his grandfather, Jake makes a crucial discovery when he meets Ava, an archerfish, caught on his line. Publication is planned for fall 2021; Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Essie White at Storm Literary represented the illustrator.
Emily Easton at Crown has acquired Rachel Ignotofsky's Women in Science, Women in Sports, and Women in Art, adapted from her YA titles into board book format. Publication begins in summer 2021; Monica Odom at Odom Media Management did the deal for world rights.
Helen Wu at Yeehoo Press has bought world English and simplified Chinese rights to Chameleon Can Be by Carolina Farias, a picture book about a chameleon embarking on a journey to self-discovery with the help of his friends. Publication is slated for fall 2021 in the U.S. and mainland China; Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the author-illustrator.
