Tiffany Liao at Random House has acquired, in a six-bidder auction, Iron Sworn by Namina Forna (The Gilded Ones), a YA fantasy duology set in a world that is Black Panther meets Crazy Rich Asians. When Juniper discovers she's the long-lost heir to a magical—and fabulously wealthy—West African family that made a deal with the fae to protect their country, she's determined to claim her magical inheritance. But monsters and secrets await in the battle to uncover her true lineage. Publication of the first book is scheduled for summer 2027; Jodi Reamer at Writers House negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Stefanie Chin at Union Square & Co. has bought See You on the Sideline, a YA debut by Erin Madison, a sapphic romance set in the world of women's pro soccer, following a former teen star athlete who must come to terms with her chronic illness while fake-dating a cute, nerdy soccer fan who helps her rebuild her sense of self. Abby Ranger will edit; publication is slated for summer 2027. Bridget Smith at JABberwocky Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte Romance has acquired world rights to Playing Aces by E.L. Massey (the Breakaway series), a YA hockey romance following two childhood friends turned rivals who reunite on the same junior hockey league team for one final championship season, but instead of a battle on the ice, it's the undeniable feelings that blindside them both. Publication is planned for summer 2027; the author represented herself.
Phoebe Yeh at Crown Books for Young Readers has bought Sarah in Charge, a middle grade novel from Ellen Oh (The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee). Twelve-year-old Sarah doesn't have a great relationship with her grandmother, but at least she lives several states away. But life turns unexpectedly chaotic when Sarah's grandmother moves in after losing her home and life savings to a romance scammer. Publication is set for spring 2027; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Nancy Paulsen at Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin has acquired world rights to Ollie's Hainted Blues, a middle grade novel by Shelia P. Moses. When Ollie's stepmother abandons her after her father's death, a kind elderly Black woman makes Ollie feel at home in her house, which is protected by haint blue, a Gullah Geechee custom. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; the author represented herself.
Christy Ottaviano at Little Brown/Ottaviano has bought, in an exclusive submission, a middle grade novel by Caroline Hickey titled I Don't Even Like Him, an enemies-to-crushes story following Type A list maker Carly Keller and easygoing soccer star TJ Price who must band together to throw a Spooktacular that their school won't be able to forget. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Alex Glass at Glass Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Grace Scheipeter at Oni Press has acquired world rights to Lights Out, a middle grade graphic novel mystery by Kristen Kiesling (l.) (The Harrowing), illustrated by Lesley Vamos, in which a trio of 12-year-old online gaming sleuths team up offline to solve a neighbor's attempted murder after a storm knocks out the power in their apartment building. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Dara Hyde at Hill Nadell Literary Agency represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Olivia Swomley at Weldon Owen Kids has bought, at auction, Find That Lizard by Dr. Earyn McGee, known online as @Afro_Herper. Based on the author's online game #FindThatLizard, this seek-and-find photography book challenges readers to locate hidden lizards, while also sharing lizard facts and stories from the field. Publication is set for summer 2027; Abigail Frank at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates/GreenburgerKids sold world rights.
Mekisha Telfer at FSG has acquired Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning artist Tao Nyeu's Goat for Dinner, Please, a picture book about a hungry Alligator who wants Goat for dinner, but is bamboozled into a cooking lesson where he discovers that Goat is better as a dinner guest than an entree. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties brokered the deal for world rights.
Sonali Fry at Crown Books for Young Readers has bought, in a preempt, recent Cambridge School of Art graduate Yu An Xie's Mama's Magical Hands, a picture book about how a mama's hands have the ability to conjure and comfort, feed and fly, navigate and nurture. But as Mama's belly swells with life, the child learns that even little hands are capable helpers and carers. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has acquired world rights to Extraordinary Owl by Deborah Underwood (l.) (The Man Who Didn't Like Animals), illustrated by Sydney Hanson (Escargot), a picture book about an owl who just doesn't fit in with other owls… which must mean he is extraordinary! Publication is planned for summer 2028; Erin Murphy at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Patterson at Beaming Books has bought The Hands That Feed Us by Belen Medina (l.), illustrated by Sol Salinas, a nonfiction picture book that reveals the often unseen workers—from farm fields to restaurant kitchens—whose labor brings food to our tables and connects communities across the country. Publication is set for spring 2027; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
