Kieran Viola at Disney-Hyperion has acquired world rights to Dig Two Graves by Gretchen McNeil (author of the #murdertrending series and Get Even, currently streaming on Netflix). Pitched as a YA Strangers on a Train with a queer twist, the novel follows school pariah Neve, who meets her new best friend Diane at summer camp, where they jokingly fantasize about killing each other's bullies—until those fantasies become disturbing realities, and Neve finds herself blackmailed into committing murder. Publication for Dig Two Graves is planned for March 2022, with another YA novel to follow in March 2023; Ginger Clark at Curtis Brown negotiated the two-book deal.
Ali Fisher at Tor Teen has bought Blood Debts by Terry Benton. Pitched as Dynasty with magic, the novel follows two Black 16-year-old twins who must put aside their differences and reunite their fractured family in order to take back the New Orleans magic council their family used to rule—while solving a decades-old murder that sparked the rising tensions between the city's magical and non-magical communities before it leads to war. Publication is set for winter 2023; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary & Media did the three-book, mid-six figure deal for North American rights.
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown/Poppy has acquired I Miss You, I Hate This, a YA novel by Sara Saedi (Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card). Two estranged best friends grapple with the complexities of their relationship, just as their entire lives are turned upside down due to a pandemic. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Jessica Regel at Helm Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Eliza Swift at Sourcebooks Fire has bought, in an exclusive submission, Yule Be Sorry by Suzanne Park (The Perfect Escape). The holiday-themed YA rom-com follows Chloe Kang, Santa's Village photographer, whose rivalry with her nemesis Peter Li escalates when he opens a North Pole virtual reality experience next door. But when they learn their mall is in danger of being demolished, they must work together to save it—and save Christmas. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Namrata Tripathi at Kokila has acquired world rights to Martinez Paranormal Services, a middle grade series by William C. Morris Award-winning author Isabel Quintero (Gabi, a Girl in Pieces and My Papi Has a Motorcycle), starting with To Catch a Witch. The series follows a girl who wants in on her parent's ghost-hunting business, so when there's a ghost sighting at a local amusement park, she and her friends sneak in to find it and end up in over their heads, confronting devils and shapeshifters right out of Mexican folklore. Publication for the first book is set for spring 2022, with the next two installments to follow every subsequent six months; Peter Steinberg at YRG Partners did the three-book deal.
Nancy Mercado at Dial has bought, in a six-figure preempt, debut middle-grade graphic novel Moriviví, written and illustrated by Vanessa Flores. The story follows 12-year-old Ángel as he navigates the aftermath of a hurricane that isolates him and his neighbors from the rest of Puerto Rico, while struggling to manage his relationship with his abuela and the spirits that surround them. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Jenne Abramowitz at Scholastic has acquired Wild Ride by Keith Calabrese (Connect the Dots, A Drop of Hope). Adventures in Babysitting meets Elon Musk in this middle-grade novel about family ties, data security, hired goons, and one totally sweet Mustang convertible. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt brokered the deal for world English rights.
Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown has bought, in an exclusive submission, middle-grade graphic novel Wildfire by Breena Bard. After a wildfire destroys her family's home, 13-year-old Julianna is engulfed in anger toward Carson, the boy who accidentally started it. But once she joins her new school's conservation club and learns more about climate change and its underlying causes, she finds a way to channel her frustration into action, and even to forgive Carson. Publication is slated for 2023; Alex Slater at Trident Media Group negotiated the deal for world rights.
Arthur A. Levine at Levine Querido has acquired world rights to The Shape of Home by Rashin Khieriyeh, a picture book following a girl's first day of school in America as she learns about where everyone else comes from—including what their ancestors' countries are shaped like. Publication is planned for fall 2021; the creator represented herself in the deal.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has bought world rights to Mouse and Giraffe, a picture book by Kelly DiPucchio (l.), illustrated by Jen Corace. The story is about the universal power of friendship and acceptance between Mouse and Giraffe—friends and next-door neighbors—despite their opposing perspectives. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the creators.
Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to JaNay Brown-Wood's (l.) Too-Small Tyson, a picture book about the littlest brother who figures out how to rescue his family's pet gerbil. Anastasia Magloire Williams will illustrate; publication is set for spring 2022, as part of the new Storytelling Math series. Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Claire Stetzer at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to The Sublime Ms. Stacks by Robb Pearlman, illustrated by Dani Jones. This picture book homage to education, entertainment, and extravagance stars Mr. Stephen, a quiet librarian who, with the help of his sublime drag queen alter ego, Ms. Stacks, fosters a love of learning in their library community. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Jean Sagendorph at Mansion Street Literary represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Shirley Chisholm: Not Done Yet by Tameka Fryer Brown (l.), illustrated by Nina Crews. Written in narrative free verse, this picture book biography highlights Chisholm's determination to make a difference—and her refusal to listen to those who didn't believe a Black woman should dream so big. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary represented the creators in the deal.
Wiley Blevins at Reycraft has bought world rights to Snowman's Big Adventure and There Was an Old Dog Who Needed a Nap by Ed Masessa. In the first book, a snowman, upset at how he is being drawn, finds himself at the mercy of a dog searching for a bathroom, a nail-painting dragon, and a girl with a warped imagination. Publication is set for fall 2021, with a second book to follow in spring 2022. Janna Morishima of Janna Co. negotiated the two-book deal.
Eliza Swift at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Robert Pizzo's Let's Build a Highway, Let's Build a Playground, Let's Build a School, and Let's Build a Farm, a STEM board book series for toddlers who are fascinated by machinery. Publication is slated for January 2022 for the first two, and March 2022 for the second two; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary did the deal.
Cindy Kim at Little Simon has bought Little Seed by author-illustrator Benson Shum, a board book that follows a little seed with a big heart as he learns different ways to hug and love all of Earth's creatures. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Natashya Wilson at Inkyard Press has acquired debut YA contemporary romance If You Change Your Mind by Robby Weber. Believing that love only exists in the movies, Harry gives up romance to focus on the screenplay contest his college admission depends on. But when a cute new guy arrives in town, and his first heartbreak shows up to win him back, Harry has to rethink how he feels about love. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022, with a second untitled novel scheduled for summer 2023. Kristy Hunter at the Knight Agency did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Catherine Laudone at Simon & Schuster has bought Governor General's Award finalist Janice Lynn Mather's new #OwnVoices YA novel, Where Was Goodbye? With the closing date set on the police investigation into her brother's suicide, Karmen frantically searches for answers—only to discover that her Afro-Caribbean heritage may hold the key to uncovering the mystery behind his death, and to providing the closure her family needs. Publication is set for fall 2022; Rachel Letofsky at CookeMcDermid brokered the deal for North American rights.
Jennie Conway at Wednesday Books has acquired Echo Sunset by Courtney Gould (The Dead and the Dark). The supernatural thriller follows two sisters who, after their mother dies, learn about her mysterious ties to an isolated Arizona town. When they decide to investigate, nothing and no one is who they seem, including the daughter of the town's enigmatic leader. Publication is slated for 2022; Claire Friedman and Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to YA graphic nonfiction book Queer and How We Got Here by Hazel Newlevant, in which the author blends their personal story of coming out with explorations of important moments from queer history to draw a parallel between the growth of a community and the growth of the author's personal identity. Publication is planned for early 2024; Tanya McKinnon at McKinnon Literary handled the deal.
Kara Rota at Chicago Review Press has acquired No Planet B: 15 Contemporary Women Solving the Climate Crisis by Rachel Sarah. The YA nonfiction book shares the triumphs and struggles of climate scientists, policy makers, and activists from around the world who are on the frontlines to save our only planet. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Eric Myers at Myers Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Lily Kessinger at HMH/Etch has bought world rights to debut graphic novel Band Nerd by Sarah Clawson Willis (l.), illustrated by Ana Hinojosa. Seventh-grader Lucy Carver is determined to make first chair flute at Windley School of the Arts, but two things stand in her way: snobby Tolli Claybourne and Lucy's loving but dysfunctional parents. Publication is set for 2023; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary represented the artist.
David Linker at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to The Truth About Fifth Grade, co-written by Mark Parisi and Kim Tomsic, with Parisi illustrating. The he-said/she-said story explores what happens when one bestie gets his hands on the former bestie's diary and tries correcting the story that led to their rift. Publication is slated for summer 2022; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary represented Tomsic, and Parisi represented himself.
Lisa Sandell at Scholastic Focus has bought world English rights to Unlawful Orders, a middle grade work of nonfiction by Barbara Binns, which tells the story of James Buchanan Williams, who risked his life to end segregation in the Army. Publication is planned for 2022; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger negotiated the deal.
Karen Boersma at Owlkids has acquired world rights to A Park Connects Us by Sarah Nelson (l.), illustrated by Ellen Rooney. This picture book celebrates city parks and the many ways that parks connect us to nature and each other. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Marietta Zacker at Gallt & Zacker represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has bought world rights to You. Me. We., written by Arun Gandhi (l.) and Bethany Hegedus (c.), illustrated by Andres Landazabal (r.). Drawing from Mahatma Gandhi's message of peace and Maria Montessori's method of encouraging children to embrace their inner guides, the book explores discovering, maintaining, and sharing peace—in the classroom and in our communities. Publication is set for spring 2023; Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow represented both authors, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Marilyn Brigham at Amazon Crossing Kids has acquired Playing with Lanterns, written by Wang Yage (l.) and illustrated by Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee Zhu Chengliang (c.). The text will be translated from the Chinese by Helen Wang (r.). The picture book highlights a child's joy and excitement as she partakes in a rural Chinese tradition of playing with lanterns during the New Year holiday. Publication is slated for December 2021; Miya Yao at Beijing Poplar Culture Project Co. did the deal for world English rights.
Suhani Parikh at Modern Marigold has bought Priya Parikh's (l.) debut children's book Dancing Devi, featuring a girl following in her mother's footsteps, learning traditional Indian dance, and discovering that being perfect is not everything. South Asian artist N. Dejeshwini will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2021.
Peggy Schaefer at WorthyKids has acquired world rights to debut picture book Gift Shop Bear by author-illustrator Phyllis Harris. A gift shop teddy bear's future suddenly becomes uncertain as the shop celebrates its last Christmas. Publication is scheduled for 2021; Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Management negotiated the deal.
Zhiqiao Wang at Yeehoo Press has bought world English and simplified Chinese rights, in a three-book deal, to Farren Phillips's Second in the World to Sail the Globe: Sir Francis Drake. The picture book follows Sir Francis Drake's adventures as he proves that being second doesn't mean you can't still make history. Publication is set for spring 2022 in the U.S. and mainland China; the author-illustrator represented herself.
