PW Children's Bookshelf: Breaking children's and YA publishing news, author interviews, bestsellers lists and reviews.
A Time Traveler's Theory of Relativity
In the Spotlight
65809-2.JPG'Guess How Much I Love You' Celebrates a Quarter Century
Big Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare are celebrating a milestone as 'Guess How Much I Love You,' written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram, is marking its 25th anniversary. Since 1994, more than 43 million copies of the story have been sold worldwide in 57 languages. more more_arrow.gif
In the News
65800-1.JPGThe People Who Make the Magic': Notes from the
CBC's Annual Meeting

The Children's Book Council's annual meeting drew a full house, as members gathered on September 25 for a recap of the year's successes and a look ahead at continued programming and outreach efforts. more more_arrow.gif
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My Wild Cat by Isabelle Simler
Book News
65797-2.JPG'Dear Evan Hansen' Song
Moves from Stage to Page

The creative ripples emanating from the 2016 Broadway musical hit Dear Evan Hansen continue to multiply. Next March, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will release You Will Be Found, a 64-page gift book that pairs the lyrics of the musical's song of the same title, written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with full-color art by Sarah J. Coleman. Its cover is revealed here for the first time. more more_arrow.gif
Reading Report
64961-v1-300x.JPGChildren's Menu:
Cookbooks 2019–2020

Kids who can’t get enough MasterChef Junior will likewise dig into these cookbooks for children and teens. more more_arrow.gif
Q & A
65805-1.JPGEliza Wheeler
Eliza Wheeler, whose debut picture book, 2013's Miss Maple's Seeds, has sold more than one million copies, found the inspiration for her second solo book very close to home. In Home in the Woods, Wheeler relays the story of her grandmother's childhood, when she, her widowed mother, and her seven siblings survived the Depression by fending for themselves in a tar paper shack in the Wisconsin woods.

Q: Did your own childhood memories of hearing this family story come into play as you wrote and illustrated Home in the Woods?

A: Definitely! I grew up right next door to my grandparents in the tiny town of Solon Springs, Wis., and my brothers and I spent a lot of time with my Grandma. We had a lot of cousins nearby who were also often at her house, and we all listened to our grandmother talk about her childhood. It was also easy to feel connected to her story, since the place where she lived in the shack is only about 10 miles from where we were growing up. more more_arrow.gif

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Rights Report
37398-1.JPG Jessica Harriton at Razorbill has acquired Sources Say, a YA novel from Lori Goldstein, author of Screen Queens. The book follows a school election that goes from mundane to high stakes after a scandal rocks the student body. As the candidates, who are exes, make the controversy the center of their platforms, two newspapers compete for campaign trail exclusives and suddenly student government is the newest trending hashtag. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.
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37399-1.JPG Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought North American rights to Squad, a darkly comedic YA graphic novel by Maggie Tokuda-Hall (l.), illustrated by Lisa Sterle. It's about a clique of teen girls whose favorite pastime is to "get dressed up, go to parties, target entitled, date-rapey Bros, turn into wolves, and eat them." Publication is slated for fall 2021. Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
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37400-1.JPG Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired Emily Martin's Five Ways to Fall Out of Love, a YA romantic comedy. When a high school senior is partnered in class with the guy who humiliated her in front of the whole school during junior year, she uses a scientific theorem to prove that love never lasts, only to discover that love is way more complicated than she realized. Publication is planned for early 2021; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
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37401-1.JPG Britny Brooks at Running Press Kids, in an exclusive submission, has bought Heroes Rise and Verses interactive fiction series author Zackary Sergi's Major Detours, a YA novel following four college-bound teens on a tarot card road trip that turns into a haunted scavenger hunt where the reader chooses the paths forward using a new interactive format, for publication in fall 2021. Lucy Carson at Friedrich Agency represented the author for world rights.
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37402-1.JPG Emily Settle at Macmillan/Swoon has acquired world rights to Samantha Hastings's YA historical romance, A Royal Christmas Quandary, about a young lady who must find a missing prince during the Christmas season. Publication is scheduled for October 2020. The deal for world rights was negotiated by Jen Nadol at the Unter Agency.
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37403-1.JPG Jill Davis at HarperCollins has bought English-language North American rights to Catherine's War, a graphic novel for middle grade adapted from Julia Billet's (l.) 2012 novel of the same name. The graphic novel version was created by the author and Claire Fauvel; published in 2017 in France by Rue de Sèvres; and won the 2018 Prix Jeunesse at the Angouleme Festival. The story follows Catherine, born Rachel, a Jewish child in World War II, who journeys from occupied France to the free zone armed with a camera and her artistic vision. It was inspired by the childhood of the author's mother. Publication is set for winter 2020; Marija Gaudry at Rue de Sèvres did the deal on behalf of the creators.
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37404-1.JPG Andrea Pinkney at Scholastic Press has acquired world rights to Flying Over Water by N.H. Senzai (Escape from Aleppo) (l.) and Shannon Hitchcock (One True Way), a dual narrative contemporary middle-grade novel set in 2017 during the Muslim ban and its aftermath. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented Senzai, and Deborah Warren at East/West Literary represented Hitchcock.
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37405-1.JPG Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has bought world rights to Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo's middle-grade graphic novel series, called Mapmakers, in a three-book deal. The fantastical adventure series follows Alidade Rose and her best friend Lewis as they try to survive in their failing town. Publication is planned for 2022; the authors were unagented.
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37406-1.JPG Sara Sargent at Random House has acquired, at auction, Elaine Weiss's middle grade nonfiction project, The Woman's Hour: How We Won the Right to Vote, adapted from the author's adult book. Soon to be adapted for television, this tells the story of the battle between opposing forces in the final fight for women's suffrage. Publication is set for summer 2020 to coincide with the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment; Dorian Karchmar and Jamie Carr at WME brokered the deal for North American and audio rights.
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37407-1.JPG Lisa Yoskowitz and Hannah Milton at Little, Brown have bought Eve Yohalem's The Truth According To Blue, a middle grade novel about 13-year-old Blue's summer of searching for treasure, finding an unexpected new friend, and attempting to become known as more than "the girl with diabetes." Publication is scheduled for summer 2020; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown negotiated the deal for world rights.
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37408-1.JPG Mari Kesselring at Jolly Fish Press has acquired Rebecca Thorne's debut middle grade sci-fi novel, The Secrets of Star Whales, pitched as The Magic School Bus meets School of Rock meets Doctor Who. The story tells of a sensitive, shy boy finding the courage to explore the galaxy while learning to manage his grief after the death of his father. Publication is slated for fall 2020; Kaitlyn Johnson at Corvisiero Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
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37409-2.JPG Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought, in a multiple-bid scenario, Singy, Springy, You!, a picture book by illustrator Renée Kurilla in her debut as an author-illustrator. The story follows an energetic group of children enjoying each part of their day, from waking up to mealtime to storytime to bedtime. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
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37410-1.JPG Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired world rights to Call Me Miss Hamilton by Carole Boston Weatherford. The picture book tells the true story of African American civil rights activist Mary Hamilton, who was found to be in contempt of court after she demanded that an Alabama judge address her with the same honorifics used to address white people. Her case ultimately went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in her favor in 1964. Jeffery Boston Weatherford will illustrate in his picture book debut; publication is planned for fall 2020. Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author and illustrator.
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37411-1.JPG Erika Turner at HMH/Versify has bought world rights to the picture book Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramos (l.), illustrated by Paola Escobar, a modern spin on "Sleeping Beauty," about a Puerto Rican girl who falls into a deep sleep after experiencing racial bias; it is scheduled for publication in fall 2021. Emily Keyes at Fuse Literary Agency represented Ramos, and Amy Kitcherside at Pickled Ink represented Escobar.
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37412-1.JPG Taylor Norman at Chronicle has acquired world rights to A Collection of Things by Carter Higgins, illustrated by Daniel Miyares, in which surprising moments of a day, from big to small and in-between, are captured and made unforgettable, from a child's point of view. Publication is set for spring 2021. Rubin Pfeffer of Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author; Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
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37413-1.JPG Emma Ledbetter at Abrams has won, at auction, world rights to Maria Gianferrari's (l.) new picture book, Be a Tree, illustrated by Felicita Sala. The book explores the beauty, majesty, and connectivity of trees, and how they compare to each of us individually, and as a society. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator, for publication in spring 2021.
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37414-1.JPG Nancy Inteli and Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins have bought world rights to Susan Hood's (l.) The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics, a nonfiction picture book of activist poems about the threat of plastic pollution and the real-life kids who are taking on environmental challenges... and triumphing. Christiane Engel will illustrate; publication is slated for winter 2021. Brenda Bowen at The Book Group represented the author, and Doreen Thorogood at Good Illustration represented the artist.
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37415-1.JPG Rick Rinehart of Globe Pequot/Muddy Boots has acquired North American English rights to Gordon McMillan's Bat's Midnight Feast, in which a little tube-lipped nectar bat, lured by a blossom's aroma, discovers a long, pale flower and what hides between the petals. British artist Carly Allen-Fletcher will illustrate. Publication is planned for September 2020. Anna Olswanger of Olswanger Literary represented both the author and illustrator.
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37416-1.JPG Nina Gruener at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to May Your Life Be Delicious, written by Michael Genhart and illustrated by Loris Lora, a picture book inspired by the author's Mexican American family, about a girl whose grandmother teaches her not only how to make tamales at the holidays, but how to live a good life, to be published fall 2021. The author represented himself, and Sally Heflin of heflinreps represented the illustrator.
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37417-1.JPG Juree Sondker at Bala Kids has acquired world rights to Sit with Me: Buddhist Meditation for Kids by Carolyn Kanjuro (l.). You can squat like a frog or lounge like a cat—but if you want to sit like a buddha easy and free, there are seven key steps for taking your seat. Nan Lawson will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2020. The author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
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To see all of this week's deals, click here. more_arrow.gif

SHELFTALKER

Cynthia Compton
Grumpy, Grumpier, Grumpiest

Our shop has a bad case of the grumps.

more »

Elizabeth Bluemle
What We Read: Quirky Preferences

Forget tea leaves and psychics. Your reading habits tell you everything you need to know about yourself.

more »

Cynthia Compton
Haul Out the Holly-ween

The 4th quarter — and all its holiday promise — begins in earnest for indie booksellers.

more »

Kenny Brechner
Of Stick Vacuums, Amazon, and Probabilities

A quiz reveals the surprising probabilities of Amazon purchasing despite consumer intent.

more »
FEATURED REVIEWS

37376-1.JPGstar.gifBirdsong
Julie Flett. Greystone Kids, $17.95 (48p) ISBN 978-1-77164-473-0

When Katherena and her mother move away from family in "the city by the sea," the new house has a desk, but Katherena doesn't feel like drawing. Meeting Agnes, the older woman who is their nearest neighbor, changes everything. Cree-Métis words add an intimate layer of identity to the child’s lustrous narration, which shines against the spare beauty of rich illustrations by Flett. more more_arrow.gif

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37377-1.JPGstar.gifSnail Crossing
Corey R. Tabor. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-06-287800-7

Snail is determined to munch on the delicious-looking cabbage growing in the field across the road. Readers can see there’s big trouble ahead: Snail moves at, well, a snail’s pace; cars and trucks are barreling down the forbidding, dark asphalt, and a crow thinks that Snail would make a tasty meal. Geisel Award–winner Tabor presents a pink protagonist who’s an endearing mix of stubborn and openhearted. more more_arrow.gif

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37378-1.JPGBone Talk
Candy Gourlay. Scholastic/Fickling, $18.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-338-34963-4

In 1899, Samkad, part of the Bontoc tribe in the Philippines, is preparing for a rite of passage when a snake attack delays the ceremony. In order for the rite to proceed, he must find a boy, Kinyo, whose soul is tied to his own. Steeped in Filipino tradition, this richly historic coming-of-age novel shows readers a rare view of the Philippines on the brink of American colonization. more more_arrow.gif

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37379-1.JPGstar.gifAll-American Muslim Girl
Nadine Jolie Courtney. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99 (432p) ISBN 978-0-374-30952-7

Living just outside Atlanta, Allie Abraham is the daughter of a Texas-born American history professor who is Circassian. Allie has pale skin and blonde hair, and she’s always been encouraged to keep her Muslim heritage secret for safety and convenience. Now, feeling compelled to embrace the religion her father turned away from, she begins to explore what it means to be Muslim while encountering prejudice. Courtney examines matters of subtle and blatant Islamophobia with a sensitivity born of experience and respect. more more_arrow.gif

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37380-1.JPGstar.gifColor Outside the Lines
Edited by Sangu Mandanna. Soho Teen, $18.99 (312p) ISBN 978-1-64129-046-3

In her editing debut, Mandanna produces a stunning collection of refreshing stories about love and identity among diverse young people. Each well-crafted story feels like a pearl, and strung together, they create something beautiful and unique. Featuring couples who are queer, interracial, or both, this is an anthology that beautifully reflects the multifaceted reality of our world. more more_arrow.gif

October 1, 2019
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2019 Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists
PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Erin Barker
People
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group has three promotions. Melissa Zar has been promoted to associate director, marketing, from senior marketing manager. Johanna Kirby has been promoted to senior marketing manager, from marketing manager. Jordin Streeter has been promoted to marketing coordinator, from marketing assistant.
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David Gilmore has joined Random House Children's Books as marketing coordinator; previously he was a marketing coordinator at Barnes & Noble.
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For a look at all of September's job moves, including new hires and promotions, click here.
On-Sale Calendar
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There are a spooky number of new books for young readers to choose from this month, including Angel Mage by Garth Nix, Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir by Nikki Grimes, and the nonfiction Idols of K-Pop by Malcolm Mackenzie. Revenge of the Invisible Boy, ninth in the Goosebumps SlappyWorld by R.L. Stine, arrives just in time for Halloween. Divergent author Veronica Roth’s latest, The End and Other Beginnings also hits shelves. Fablehaven fans have Smarter Than a Monster: A Survival Guide to look forward to from Brandon Mull, and Light It Up, the latest YA novel by Kekla Magoon arrives, as well as The Burning Shadow by Jennifer L. Armentrout. For more books releasing during the month of October, check out PW's On-Sale Calendar here.
Bestsellers
36985-v1-150x.JPGChildren's Frontlist Fiction
#1 For Whom the Ball Rolls (Dog Man #7) by Dav Pilkey. Click here more_arrow.gif
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37269-1.JPGPicture Books
#1 Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle, illus. by Jill McElmurry. Click here more_arrow.gif
Sneak Previews
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Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out in spring 2020, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. more more_arrow.gif
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