Stephanie Cohen at Inkyard Press has acquired world and audio rights to the Fateless trilogy by Julie Kagawa, a YA fantasy adventure that follows thieves guild member Sparrow and her comrades as they fight to save their city—and the entire desert empire—from the wrath of the Deathless King. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024, fall 2025 and fall 2026; Laurie McLean at Fuse Literary negotiated the deal.
Tiffany Liao at Zando has bought, in a nine-bidder auction, Throwback by Maurene Goo. When second-generation teen Sam Kang finds herself transported to the 1990s, she has to face an analog world, regressive attitudes, and—worst of all—her teenaged mother. Pitched as Back to the Future meets Ladybird, Throwback is a humorous and romantic time-travel adventure that asks big questions about what exactly one inherits and loses in the immigrant experience. Publication is set for spring 2023; Faye Bender at the Book Group sold North American rights.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperTeen has acquired, at auction, Magic Has No Borders, a YA anthology of short stories that reimagine South Asian folklore, legends, and epics, edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra, with stories from Sabaa Tahir, Tanaz Bhathena, Swati Teerdhala, Naz Kutub, Sangu Mandanna, Nikita Gill, Sayantani DasGupta, Preeti Chhibber, Olivia Chadha, Tracey Baptiste, Nafiza Azad, and winners from a contest run by the book's editors. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Joanna Volpe and Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the deal for world rights.
Laura Schreiber at Sterling Children's has bought, in a six-figure preempt, debut author Amanda Glaze's The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, a historical YA novel with a supernatural twist. The story follows a pair of runaway twins in the 1880s who take refuge with a traveling Spiritualist show after their father discovers their spirit medium abilities and threatens to commit them to an asylum. But when their fellow mediums begin disappearing, the twins must repair their broken bond in time to unveil a killer who will stop at nothing to cheat death. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Sara Crowe negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street Press has acquired Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell by Tobias Madden (Anything but Fine), pitched as Love, Simon meets Don't Read the Comments, in which a 17-year-old gamer goes undercover in a local production of the musical Chicago (with his overbearing mother playing the lead role, no less) in order to get his online crush to fall in love with him. Publication is scheduled for 2023; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management brokered the deal for U.S., Canada, and U.K. rights.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has bought The Immeasurable Depth of You by Maria Ingrande Mora (Fragile Remedy), a queer contemporary YA with a speculative twist, set in the Florida mangroves. Fifteen-year-old Brynn is obsessed with death, and her severe anxiety leaves her feeling isolated; but when her parents decide she's going to spend the summer on her father's houseboat, she meets—and starts crushing on—sultry and confident Skylar, who is hiding a dark secret. Publication is set for spring 2023; Erica Bauman at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal for world rights.
Mari Kesselring and Kelsy Thompson at Flux have acquired Bridget Farr's contemporary YA, The Truth About Everything, pitched as The Serpent King meets Educated. "Homeschooled" teenager Lark secretly attends high school, against the wishes of her conspiracy-theorist-Doomsday-prepping parents. Discovering how much she doesn't know, Lark becomes determined to expand her world view, but it won't come without sacrifice. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong handled the deal for world rights.
Marisa DiNovis at Knopf has bought, in a preempt, Fitting In, a debut middle grade graphic novel by Whitney Leopard (l.) and Connie Hernandez. The story follows half-Filipina seventh-grader Naomi, whose favorite class used to be gym—that is, until the annual physical fitness text, when she realizes she is the fat kid and the resulting anxiety changes everything. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker Literary negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Clarissa Wong, while at HarperCollins acquired world rights to Eyes That Weave the World's Wonders, by Joanna Ho (l.) with Liz Kleinrock (c.), illustrated by Dung Ho (r.); Alyson Day will edit. In the picture book, a young Asian transnational, transracial adoptee notices that no one in her family has eyes like hers, but through the relationships and memories of her birth and adopted family, she comes to realize that the shape of her eyes captures the complexities and love in her life. Publication is expected in winter 2024. Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Joanna Ho, Emily Sylvan Kim at the Prospect Agency represented Liz Kleinrock, and Dung Ho represented herself.
Nancy Mercado at Dial has bought world rights at auction to La Chiva: Colorful Bus of the Andes by debut author Karol Hernández (l.), illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez (Nightlights). In verse that incorporates Spanish vocabulary, the story follows one of the gaily painted buses common throughout Colombia and other South American countries, as it transports villagers through the mountains to the marketplace. Publication is set for spring 2024; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Daria Harper at Chronicle has acquired world rights to I Want 100 Dogs by Stacy McAnulty (l.) (Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years), illustrated by Claire Keane (Love Is), in which a girl creatively outsmarts parental logic in her efforts to adopt a multitude of dogs. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Kendra Levin at Simon & Schuster has bought world rights to Always Sisters, a picture book about a child whose family experiences a pregnancy loss and must learn how to both grieve and heal, written by Saira Mir (l.) (Muslim Girls Rise) and illustrated by Shahrzad Maydani. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has acquired world rights to Bigger Than Me, a debut picture book by Erica Simone Turnipseed (l.), illustrated by Kara Bodegón. The book follows the emotional journey of a pair of siblings who struggle with the weight of the words that capture the turmoil and sadness of our times, and with the support of their community, they learn that no problem is "too big" for them to carry if they are not alone. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Liz Nealon and Mona Kanin of Great Dog Literary represented the author, and Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Kait Feldmann at Clarion has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Never Take Your Rhino on a Plane by K.E. Lewis (l.), illustrated by Isabel Roxas, a cautionary tale about the daredevil stunts and cringeworthy antics you will face when traveling with your rhinoceros. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Lori Steel at Raven Quill Literary Agency represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Deeba Zargarpur at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to I Can Be All Three, a picture book by Salima Alikhan (l.), illustrated by Noor Sofi. It tells the story of a multicultural girl attempting to reconcile her own cultural identity as she works to prepare a display for her school's Multicultural Day. Publication is set for summer 2023; Jacqui Lipton at Raven Quill Literary Agency represented the author, and Thao Le at Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to The Power of Yeti, a picture book by Rebecca Van Slyke (l.), illustrated by G. Brian Karas, about a child who can't seem to keep up with the bigger kids around him, until his new friend Yeti shows him a trick that makes all the difference. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Big Bugs by Melissa Stewart (l.) (14 Monkeys; Summertime Sleepers), illustrated by Lara Hawthorne. This nonfiction picture book explores and compares some of the big, bigger, and biggest bugs in the world. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary represented the author, and Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Patricia Morris Buckley's (l.) picture book biography Fleet: How a Baseball-Loving Kid Broke the Color Barrier, about Moses Fleetwood Walker, the first Black man to play in the major leagues. Fleet played six decades before Jackie Robinson, and then went on to become an inventor, a newspaper publisher and an author. The book will be illustrated by Stephen Davis, for publication in March 2023. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Mela Bolinao of MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to Skybound!: Starring Mary Myers as Carlotta, Daredevil Aeronaut & Scientist by Sue Ganz-Schmitt (l.), illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. This picture book biography showcases Mary Myers, a death-defying inventor, who built and piloted balloons in the late 1800s, setting the world altitude record in a natural gas balloon, and blazing a trail for the future of women in flight. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Jennifer Newens at West Margin has bought world rights, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal for the author, to All Aboard the Alaska Train by Brooke Hartman (l.), illustrated by John Joseph. This picture book is about arctic animals that board the Alaska Railroad to a northern sightseeing destination, until their train meets with a very big mountain and they have to work together to get their ride back on track. Publication is set for April 2023; Sera Rivers at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author, and Aurora Barlam at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Lisa Sandell at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Artifice by Sharon Cameron (The Light in Hidden Places), set in 1940s Amsterdam about a girl who sells art forgeries to the Nazis in order to fund the rescue of Jewish babies through the Dutch resistance. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Tiffany Shelton and Carmen Johnson at Skyscape has bought world English rights to Somebody That I Used to Know, a YA contemporary novel by Dana L. Davis (Roman and Jewel). When Dylan Woods' parents announce that her childhood best friend—who she hasn't seen since he became the biggest teen musical artist in the world—is coming to stay with them, it turns her life upside down. But as they reconnect, Dylan not only finds that there is more to their friendship, she also finds there's more to herself. Publication is set for fall 2022; Viana Siniscalchi at Alloy Entertainment handled the two-book deal and Uwe Stender at TriadaUS represented the author.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has acquired, in an exclusive submission, From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry author Paula Yoo's new work of YA nonfiction, Rising from the Ashes: How the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising Bridged Two Communities. The book will explore the 1992 Los Angeles civil unrest movement, focusing on the destruction and rebirth of L.A.'s historic Koreatown, taking an in-depth look at the relationship between the Korean American and Black communities during these events and since. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Kelsey Murphy at Viking has bought, in a preempt, Last Chance Dance by Lakita Wilson in her YA debut. Leila is devastated when her high school boyfriend breaks up with her right before graduation, but when she gets paired with four unrequited crushes in the lead-up to her school's annual Last Chance Dance, she might just fall in love with someone new. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Lanie Davis at Alloy Entertainment did the two-book deal for world English rights on behalf of Melanie Figueroa at Root Literary.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has acquired, in a two-book deal, Artifacts of an Ex by Jennifer Chen. The debut YA novel follows Chloe, who, after receiving a shoebox of memories from her ex-boyfriend, decides to host a break-up box art show, only to meet Daniel, a boy who she can't help but start to fall for. There's only one problem: Daniel is tired of being a rebound. Publication is tentatively set for summer 2023; Caitie Flum at Liza Dawson Associates negotiated the deal for world rights.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has bought Fern Haught's debut graphic novel The Baker & the Bard, a YA fantasy in which two best friends set out on a journey for ingredients to fulfill an unusual bakery order and get caught up in matters of ecological destruction in the realm of the fey. Publication is scheduled for 2023; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has acquired world rights to Twinchantment, a middle grade graphic novel written by Elise Allen (l.) and illustrated by Joelle Murray. In a kingdom where magic and twinhood are banned, twin princesses Flissa and Sara have spent their entire lives pretending to be one person. But everything changes when their mother is cursed and the twins must travel to a magical prison to find the one wizard who can reverse the spell. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Jane Startz at Jane Startz Productions represented the author, and Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought the InvestiGators spin-off Agents of S.U.I.T., a middle grade graphic novel series co-written by John Patrick Green (l.) and Christopher Hastings (c.), illustrated by Pat Lewis (r.). The series follows the global shenanigans of other S.U.I.T. agents from the pages of InvestiGators. Steve Foxe will also edit. Publication is scheduled to begin in 2023; Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management (for Green and Hastings) and Pat Lewis (unagented) brokered the deal for world rights.
Amanda Ramirez at Simon & Schuster has acquired world English rights to The Racc Pack and an untitled sequel, kicking off a middle grade graphic novel series created by Stephanie Cooke (l.) and Whitney Gardner. The City of Toronto may be doing its best to keep the raccoon population out of its garbage, but that’s not going to stop the Bins family from continuing in their pursuit of the tastiest, most delicious trash they can find. So when a fancy new grocery store opens up in their neighborhood, the dumpster-diving critters hatch a heist so daring, it'll have them rolling in garbage all winter long. Publication for the first book is planned for fall 2023; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary represented Cooke, and Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented Gardner.
Sarah Alpert at Algonquin Young Readers has bought world rights to Crumble, written by Meredith McClaren (l.) and illustrated by Andrea Bell. The middle grade graphic novel follows the story of 10-year-old Emily Dash who belongs to a family of bakers who can bake their feelings into desserts. But when tragedy strikes, Emily begins to experiment with her sweets—resulting in some very dangerous, and addictive, dishes. Publication is set for fall 2024; Jessica Mileo and Claire Friedman at InkWell Management did the deal for world rights.
Krestyna Lypen at Algonquin has acquired Sarah Jean Horwitz's The Demon Sword Asperides, a middle grade twist on the Excalibur legend, in which an ancient demonic talking sword enchants a bumbling would-be knight into battling a wicked sorcerer bent on summoning all the evils of the underworld, in a two-book deal, with book one tentatively scheduled for spring 2023; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Agency sold world English rights.
Elise McMullen-Ciotti and Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low Books have bought Mèo and Bé and a second, untitled middle grade novel by debut author DoanPhuong Nguyen. Mèo and Bé is a historical novel about a girl who, after being sold by her stepmother, follows a precocious kitten through the war-torn streets of Vietnam to a happy-ever-after home and found family. Publication is slated for 2023; Sara Megibow of KT Literary negotiated the deal for world English and world Spanish rights.
Andrea Spooner at Little, Brown has acquired Witch Hazel, a picture book written and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Molly Idle. Through a tender relationship between grandmother and granddaughter, the tale explores the interplay of magic and memory, and the power of sharing our life stories. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Steven Malk at Writers House sold world rights.
Erin Clarke at Knopf has bought world rights to At the End of the Day, written by Lisl H. Detlefsen (l.) and illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao. Pitched as a modern answer to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, this free-verse story follows an exhausted child through a day of frustrations that culminate in the discovery that no matter what, at the end of the day, there's always the promise of tomorrow. Publication is set for spring 2024; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook Press has acquired world rights to Cape, a debut picture book by Kevin Johnson (l.), illustrated by Kitt Thomas. A child wears a cape as protection from grief after the loss of a loved one, using it at first to avoid memories that keep bubbling up, and then later for comfort and strength. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Kevin Lewis at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought world rights to Baba's Peach Tree by Marie Tang (l.), illustrated by Seo Kim. The picture book follows a girl, Tao Hua, and her father, Baba, who discover good fortune behind their old stone house—a peach tree—and, with it, hopes for a better life. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Marisa Cleveland at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Liz Bicknell at Candlewick has acquired world English rights to If This Puddle Could Talk, a children's poetry anthology curated by co-authors Irene Latham (l.) and Charles Waters (c.), illustrated by Olivia Sua (r.), in which a diverse group of poets use the word "if" as the first word in the first line of each poem, inviting readers to take their own leaps into different worlds—from the Practical to the Fantastical. It's planned for spring 2024; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the authors, and Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Jon Westmark at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Call Me Calvin, in which a boy becomes frustrated that he isn't growing big, tall, or strong enough, and wonders if there's more to being a man than just size and strength, written by Mary Vander Plas (l.) and illustrated by André Ceolin. Publication is set for spring 2023; Kevin O'Connor at O'Connor Literary Agency represented the author, and Mela Bolinao of MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Kayla Tostevin at Page Street Kids has acquired world rights to A Cloud in a Jar by Aaron Lewis Krol (l.), illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera, in which two children set out across the sea to bring a fantasy land the gift of rain. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; the author represented himself, and Christine Hong at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought world rights to Stars of the Night by Caren Stelson (l.), illustrated by Selina Alko. This nonfiction picture book tells the collective story of more than 600 children, most of whom were Jewish, who were transported from Czechoslovakia to Britain just before World War II broke out. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to the picture book biography Swinging into History: Toni Stone, the First Woman Professional Baseball Player by Karen L. Swanson (l.), illustrated by Laura Freeman. The story traces Toni's journey, breaking race and gender barriers with grit and determination, from grade school church leagues to replacing Hank Aaron on a Negro League pro team. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Jen Nadol at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Janet DeCarlo at Storybook Arts represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to The Penguin of Ilha Grande: From Animal Rescue to Extraordinary Friendship, which showcases how one person's act of kindness led to a life-changing friendship between a penguin, a man, and a community, written by Shannon Earle (l.) and illustrated by Renato Alarcão. Publication is set for spring 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
