Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, at auction, screenwriter-director Kelly Oxford's (Pink Skies Ahead) YA debut All the Way, pitched as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Booksmart, plus a second, standalone novel. After learning that their classmate, who recently passed away in a parasailing accident, died a virgin, Riley and her friends vow to lose their virginities before the same fate can befall them. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Erin Malone at William Morris Endeavor negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Mary-Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has bought Phil Stamper's The Valedictorians, plus an untitled sequel. The first entry in this YA rom-com duology follows four queer teens during an unforgettable summer. As senior year approaches—with the real world looming just beyond—how can these lifelong friends stay close when their futures seem to be forcing them apart? Publication of the first book is planned for winter 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the deal for world English rights.
Liz Kossnar, while at Simon & Schuster, acquired Kate Leth's Mall Goth; Deeba Zargarpur will edit. The YA graphic novel, set in the early 2000s, follows angsty teen goth Liv as she navigates the highs and lows of firsts—first out queer kid at school, first dead-end job as a store mascot, and first love that garners the unwanted attention of her teacher. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Michele Wells at DC has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to bestseller Ridley Pearson's (l.) new original trilogy, Indestructibles, with Berat Pekmezci illustrating. The middle-grade graphic novels follow a 12-year-old boy, who manifests an inexplicable power after entering a wildfire on a heroic mission; alongside new friends with similar afflictions, they seek to uncover the truth and save their hometown. The first book is set for August 2021; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has acquired, in a three-book deal, a middle grade outdoor sports and adventure series by Trent Reedy (Gamer Army and Words in the Dust). Hunter's Choice follows a 12-year-old boy setting out on his first deer hunt with his family, with the difficulties and dilemmas that brings. The second book will feature snowmobiling, and the third fishing. The first book is slated for March 2021; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Amy Cloud at HMH has bought world rights to The Do-Over by Coni Yovaniniz and Rodrigo Vargas. In this middle grade graphic novel, three friends start a hair salon in an Airstream trailer and navigate the ups and downs of starting a business and friendship. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; the author and illustrator represented themselves in the two-book deal.
Karen Lotz at Candlewick has acquired world English rights to Welcome Back, Maple Mehta-Cohen, a middle grade novel by Kate McGovern. The half-Indian, half-Jewish heroine plots to conceal from friends the fact that she has to repeat fifth grade because of her difficulty reading—but as Maple navigates the loss of old friendships, the possibility of new ones, and facing her reading challenges head-on, her deception becomes harder to maintain. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Jessica Regel at Foundry Literary + Media brokered the deal.
Krista Vitola at Simon & Schuster has bought The Sisters of Luna Island, a middle grade contemporary fantasy by Stacy Hackney (Forever Glimmer Creek). Twelve-year-old Marigold Lafleur is the last of a long line of aromages who blend scents into practical charms using aromagic. When Marigold discovers a secret family curse, she must use her own unique magic to break the spell or risk losing her beloved sisters forever. Publication is set for spring 2022; Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Sara Schonfeld at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired Ally Malinenko's Ghost Girl, a middle grade debut about a girl who loves telling ghost stories. When a storm hits her town and people start going missing, "Ghost Girl" is the only one who knows the truth. Publication is slated for summer 2021; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Little, Brown has bought Rafa Counts on Papá by author-illustrator Joe Cepeda. The picture book is about a son and father who spend their days measuring things, including their love for each other. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Ariel Richardson at Chronicle has acquired world rights to There Is a Rainbow by Hallmark card writer Theresa Trinder (All the Ways I Love You). A child learns that on the other side of sadness are hugs, and on the other side of today is tomorrow; and while there is so much grief, there is also so much courage—a testament to kids' resilience. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group did the deal.
Melinda Rathjen at WorthyKids has bought world rights to The Night Baafore the First Day of School by Dawn Young, illustrated by Pablo Pino. Opening on the evening before the first day of school, the picture book features a boy who can't sleep and plans to count sheep—but the sheep spill out of his backpack, and chaos ensues. Publication is set for June 2021; Mary Cummings at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Calkins Creek has acquired North American rights to Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose! by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes. The nonfiction picture book features Thomas Jefferson's fight for truth against the misinformation spread by world-famous scientist Count Buffon. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Talia Benamy at Philomel has bought, at auction, in a two-book deal, world rights to poet Gillian Sze's (l.) books My Love for You Is Always, illustrated by Michelle Lee (c.), and You Are My Favorite Color, illustrated by Nina Mata (r.). The first book centers the enduring love a mother has for her child, told over the course of cooking a traditional Chinese meal, and the second features a parent encouraging a child to be proud of and comfortable in their skin, whatever shade it might be. Publication is planned for fall 2021 and summer 2022, respectively. Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented Sze, Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented Lee, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented Mata.
