Cassandra Pelham Fulton and David Saylor at Scholastic/Graphix have acquired, in a 10-house auction, Miss Quinces and an untitled middle grade graphic novel by Kat Fajardo. Miss Quinces features Sue, a Honduran-American girl who, instead of going to sleepaway camp with her friends, gets stuck visiting family in Honduras and having a surprise quinceañera, which is the last thing Sue wants—until she grows to appreciate both her family and their traditions. Simultaneous publication in both English and Spanish is planned for 2020; Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the six-figure deal for North American rights.
Stephanie Lurie at Disney/Rick Riordan Presents has bought, in an exclusive submission, City of the Plague God by Sarwat Chadda, a middle grade novel inspired by Mesopotamian mythology. In the story, Sikander Aziz, a Muslim boy born and raised in New York City, teams up with legendary hero Gilgamesh to defeat the ancient god of plagues before the entire population of Manhattan is wiped out. Publication is scheduled for fall 2020; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Susan Dobinick at Bloomsbury has acquired, in a six-figure deal for world rights, Columbia University professor and debut YA author Amra Sabic-El-Rayess's wartime memoir, Maci. Written with Laura Sullivan, the book tells of Sabic-El-Rayess's experience growing up during the Bosnian War, and the stray cat that saved her ("Maci" means "kitty" in Bosnian). After surviving ethnic cleansing and more than 1,100 days under the Serbs' military siege, the author emigrated as a teen to the United States in 1996, where she holds several graduate degrees. Publication is tentatively slated for late 2020; Jason Anthony and Rob McQuilkin at Massie & McQuilkin handled the deal, in coordination with Madeleine Morel at 2M Communications, co-agenting for Laura Sullivan.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has bought A Love Hate Thing by Whitney D. Grandison, featuring an "It" girl from a wealthy community who clashes with a former childhood friend when he moves in with her family after tragedy strikes, wreaking havoc with her summer plans, her friendships and her heart. Publication is expected in winter 2020; Uwe Stender at Triada US did the deal for world English rights.
Kelsy Thompson at Flux has acquired world English rights to Outrun the Wind author Elizabeth Tammi's new novel, The Weight of a Soul, a YA historical fantasy set in ninth-century Sweden. When her sister is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Lena strikes a gruesome deal with the Norse gods to bring her back, and lands in the middle of a devastating plan to bring about Ragnarok—all while discovering dangerous secrets about her sister's true identity. Publication is set for fall 2019; the author represented herself.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought an untitled YA novel by Operation Frog Effect author Sarah Scheerger. When Cayenne turns 18, she learns that her long-dead mother left her a series of messages before her death; that her aunt, who raised her, has the same gene mutation that caused her mom's breast cancer; and that living life to the fullest comes with particular challenges when death runs in your DNA. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Orlando Dos Reis at Scholastic Press has acquired Gavin Brown's middle grade fantasy adventure Monster Club: Hunters for Hire, about a group of kids who sign up as freelance monster hunters via a popular phone app, only to uncover a sinister force pulling strings behind the scenes. Publication is scheduled for summer 2019; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
David Linker at HarperCollins has bought, in a four-book deal, Down in the Dumps, a chapter book series by Wes Hargis, illustrator of Weird Al's When I Grow Up and the Agatha Parrot series. The books tell the story of three best friends—a rotten banana, a broken teapot, and a crusty blob of gunk—who live together in the town landfill. Publication is set to begin in summer 2021; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has acquired Paulina Ganucheau's early chapter book graphic novel Lemon Bird, an adventure story about the friendship between the eponymous bird and her best friend Pupkin (a pumpkin/puppy), and the unlimited power and strength of kindness. Publication is slated for 2021; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management sold world English rights.
Courtney Burke at Page Street Kids has bought world rights to debut author-illustrator Skylaar Amann's Lloyd Can't Sing. The picture book follows a young whale who cannot join in with his pod's whalesong, until he finds his own way to make music: a mysterious, magical ukulele. Publication is planned for spring 2020; the author-illustrator represented herself.
Rotem Moscovich at Disney-Hyperion has acquired, at auction, The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by Julie Leung (l.), a picture book biography about the first Chinese-American woman pilot to fly for the U.S. military. The book follows the little-known pilot's insatiable desire to fly, her fearless energy, and how she defied stereotypes to find her place in the sky. Julie Kwon will illustrate. Publication is set for fall 2020, with a second, untitled picture book to follow in fall 2021; Wendi Gu at Janklow & Nesbit Associates sold world rights, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Greene at Clarion has bought world rights to Megan Maynor's (l.) picture book, Henry Without Liza, illustrated by Alea Marley. In the humorous and reassuring picture book about a common childhood transition, a boy is lonely—at first—when his older sister and constant companion begins kindergarten and he is left at home. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Minju Chang at BookStop Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Tris Coburn at Tilbury House has acquired world rights to The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil (l.), illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. The picture book follows an Egyptian-American girl who learns to appreciate her second language, Arabic, after a class project intended to celebrate everyone's identity. Publication is tentatively slated for winter 2019; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Christy Tugueau Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Christy Ottaviano at Macmillan/Ottaviano has bought world rights to Gene Barretta's (l.) Starring Steven Spielberg, a picture book biography of the filmmaker, with a spotlight on his childhood inspirations. Craig Orbackwill illustrate; the book is planned for 2021. Lori Nowicki at Painted Words Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Jordan Nielsen and Craig Cohen at POW! Kids have acquired world rights to debut author John Stith's picture book, The Climbing Tree, a story about a tree-climbing younger brother frustrated by the fact that, no matter how high he climbs, his older brother will always be a branch ahead. Yuliya Pieletskaya will illustrate; publication is set for fall 2019. Clelia Gore at Martin Literary & Media Management represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Carol Malnor at Dawn Publishing has bought world rights to If Animals Built Your House, written by Bill Wise and illustrated by Rebecca Evans. In the picture book, animals demonstrate their ability to build their homes without the use of nails, saws, or hammers and leave readers wondering what their own houses would look like, and how they would function, if built by animals. Publication is slated for fall 2019; Wise represented himself, and Essie White of Storm Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired world rights to I Saw, He Saw, a Tale of Two Perspectives, a first collaboration by Jamie Lee Curtis and Barney Saltzberg. In the visual adventure, Saltzberg draws on photos by Curtis to create unexpected surprises, proving two friends can look at the same things, see them differently, and still remain friends. Publication is set for fall 2020; Phyllis Wender at Pearlco Literary Agency represented Curtis, and Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented Saltzberg.
Rob Valois at Penguin Workshop has bought North American English rights to Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein's first graphic novel, Man Woman Chicken, a vaudeville-esque story with archetypal characters whose desires intertwine to create madcap comedy. Publication is tentatively scheduled for 2021; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties brokered the two-book deal.
Jean Feiwel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired a YA nonfiction title, Gloria Steinem, Feminist by Winifred Conkling, an illustrated account of America's most famous feminist, from her untraditional childhood in East Toledo to her role as a founder of Ms. magazine and a spokesperson for the women's movement. Publication is slated for winter 2020; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary did the deal for world rights.
Mekisha Telfer at Roaring Brook has bought Kelly Quindlen's debut YA novel, Late to the Party, about a shy, queer teen who finally steps out of her comfort zone and is thrust into a summer of new friends, new experiences, and first love—all of which she keeps secret from her two best friends. Publication is planned for winter 2020; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Sarah McCabe at Simon Pulse has acquired a debut novel by Adrienne Tooley, a YA fantasy in which a cursed witch who must steal love from others meets a girl hiding her own dangerous secrets, and the two strike a love bargain with life-or-death consequences. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world rights.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has bought North American rights to the middle grade novel Saint Ivy by Laurie Morrison. Thirteen-year-old Ivy thinks of herself as a good person, so when her mother becomes pregnant as a surrogate, her unhappy reaction surprises her. Ivy throws herself into being selfless and kind with an anonymous letter-writer, but her efforts drive her further away from the girl she wants to be and the people who care about her most. Publication is set for spring 2021; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties brokered the one-book deal.
Robyn Chapman at First Second has acquired No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest, Robin Robinson's middle grade graphic novel about goblin sisters on an adventure in a magical forest. Publication is slated for 2021; Amy Stern at Sheldon Fogelman Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Tom Evans at World Book has bought world rights to Lost & Found by Madeline King, illustrated by Scott Brown, a fiction series featuring two siblings who travel through time and learn about cultures and histories during their adventures. Publication is planned for August 2019; the author was unagented, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Lotz at Candlewick has acquired Leading the Way: Women in Power by Virginia's longest-serving female legislator, State Senator Janet Howell (l.) and her daughter-in-law, author Theresa Howell. The book offers an account of the actions, struggles, and accomplishments of more than 50 prominent female leaders from diverse backgrounds, ranging from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Shirley Chisholm to Condoleezza Rice, featuring portraits, quotes, and brief biographies. Publication is set for October 2019; Adriana Dominguez at Full Circle Literary did the deal for world rights in all languages.
Kristin Daly Rens at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought world rights to Maryam Mirzakhani, Mathematician, a picture book biography by Megan Reid (l.), illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel. The book follows the life of Mirzakhani, the first woman and first Iranian to win the Fields Medal for outstanding mathematical achievement, and explores how her childhood love for storytelling helped her find the poetry of mathematics. Publication is planned for winter 2021; Wendi Gu at Janklow & Nesbit Associates represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Erin Dealey's (l.) picture book, Dear Earth... From Your Friends in Room 5, illustrated by Luisa Uribe, recipient of the 2018 Society of Illustrators Dilys Evans Founder's Award. What begins as a monthly exchange of ideas between Earth and Room 5 grows into a lasting friendship, a school club with a surprising president, and—hopefully—lifelong earth-smart habits. Publication is slated for winter 2021; Deborah Warren of East/West Literary Agency represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to Kathy Wolff's All We Need, a story about basic human needs, illustrated by Margaux Meganck. Publication is scheduled for spring 2021; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Jes Negrón at Kane Press has acquired world rights to Joana Pastro's Lillybelle, A Damsel Never in Distress. The book follows the titular character as she uses her feminine skills to save herself from perilous danger, all in time for tea. Jhon Ortiz will illustrate. Publication is set for fall 2020; Natascha Morris at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Lemonade Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Susan Dobinick at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to Laura Purdie Salas's (l.) Zap Clap Boom, a poetic telling of a thunderstorm, illustrated by Elly MacKay. Publication is planned for winter 2022; the author was unagented, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
