Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired at auction, in a six-figure deal, Samuel Miller's debut, a YA novel called A Lite Too Bright, plus an untitled second book. Stripped of his college scholarship, Arthur Louis Pullman III begins to lose his grip on reality. But when he discovers his recently deceased novelist-grandfather's journal, he embarks on a cross-country train ride, guided only by clues written through his grandfather's fog of dementia. Publication is planned for spring 2018; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.
Melissa Frain at Tor Teen has bought, in a preempt Charlotte Davis's The Good Luck Girls, the inaugural project of Dovetail Fiction, a new YA packager and sister business to Working Partners. The first in a YA fantasy duology, the novel is pitched as The Handmaid's Tale meets Thelma and Louise in an alternate Wild West setting. The book follows a group of five girls who escape from the “welcome house” that owns them and embark on a dangerous journey to find freedom, justice, and revenge. Publication of book one is scheduled for fall 2019; Allison Hellegers at Rights People brokered the two-book deal for North American rights on behalf of Chris Snowdon, Lynn Weingarten, and Marianna Baer at Dovetail Fiction/Working Partners.
Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has acquired, at auction, Kristina Forest's YA debut, The Pointe of Everything, about an African-American ballerina who is determined to audition for her idol's new dance conservatory, even if it involves sneaking out on a road trip with the boy next door who broke her heart years before. Publication is set for spring 2019, with a second, untitled YA novel to follow; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties handled the deal for North American rights.
Jessica Harriton at Razorbill has bought Edge of Our Light, a debut novel by Sorboni Banerjee, about two teenagers in a Texas border town caught in a conflict between warring cartels. Amid the violence, they must make sense of their dark pasts in order to fight for a brighter future together. Publication is slated for fall 2018; Tamar Rydzinski at Laura Dail Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired Junauda Petrus's debut YA novel, Mable & Audre's Existential Transcendental Journey Through Black Universe, the story of two young women, one from the Caribbean, one Black American, who fall in love and create magic at the same time they learn that one of them might not have long to live. Publication is planned for 2019; Tina Wexler at ICM Partners brokered the deal for North American rights.
Liesa Abrams at S&S/Aladdin has bought, at auction, Majestic by Jack Blank trilogy author Matt Myklusch. When 12-year-old Joey Kopecky gets a chance to become the assistant to washed-up magician Redondo the Magnificent, he discovers that magic is real—but, only if you believe in it. Meanwhile, dark magicians, intent on spoiling Redondo's comeback, are plotting to seize control of the world's dwindling supply of magic. The book is scheduled for summer 2019; Danielle Chiotti at Upstart Crow Literary brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Kendra Levin at Viking has acquired Allan Woodrow's The Curse of the Were-Penguin, a gothic/comedic middle grade novel about a woefully untalented orphan with bleak prospects for finding a family—until he is adopted by a mysterious Count and bitten by a were-penguin, events that set him on an adventure to reverse the curse and save his new home from the Count's diabolical penguin army. A publication date has not been set; Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the author in the deal for world rights.
Mari Kesselring at Jolly Fish has bought world rights to Unwritten by debut author Tara Gilboy. In the fantasy middle-grade novel, 12-year-old storybook character Gracie Freeman lives in the real world but longs to discover what happened in the story she came from. When she finally gets her chance, the truth isn't what she was expecting. Publication is slated for fall 2018; the book was unagented.
Lauri Hornik at Dial has acquired author-illustrator Jon Agee's next two picture books. In the first, The Wall in the Middle of the Book, a little knight on one side of the wall thinks he is safe from the wild animals and the ogre on the other side of the wall, but he's got it completely backward. The second book, I Want a Dog, stars a girl looking for a dog at an animal shelter that has no dogs. Eventually, the pet shop salesman finds something that she just might find acceptable. The books are planned for publication in fall 2018 and fall 2019 respectively; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties sold world English rights.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has bought world rights, at auction, to author-illustrator Alex Willan's debut picture book, Jasper & Ollie Go to the Pool, a friendship story of impulse and mindfulness, told through the characters' race to the pool. Publication is slated for summer 2019; Lori Kilkelly at Rodeen Literary Management did the two-book deal.
Catherine Laudone at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Tiny Feet Between the Mountains by debut author-illustrator Hanna Cha. A Korean girl is looked down upon for her small size, until she finds a clever solution to help a spirit tiger who has swallowed the sun by mistake. Publication is scheduled for summer 2019; the book was unagented.
Zoe Katherine Burke at Pomegranate has bought world rights to Mr. Reginald and the Bunnies by artist Paula Wallace, a picture book about bunnies who visit their uncle during the holiday break and get into everything, but prove to be brave and generous. Publication is planned for August 2018; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has acquired world rights to Hurry Up!, a picture book by Kate Dopirak, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, about slowing down to enjoy life. Publication is set for summer 2020; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the artist.
Mary Colgan at Boyds Mills Press has bought world rights to author Leslie Staub's (l.) Bedtime for Beasties, illustrated by Jia Liu. In the story, a child realizes mid-nightmare that she is in control and can turn the dream around. Publication is planned for fall 2018; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Brian Yanish's Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck, the story of a power-hungry chicken who becomes the feared pirate Redfoot in a quest to see the world. Jess Pauwels will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2019. Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and James Burns at Bright USA represented the illustrator.
