Bria Ragin, David and Nicola Yoon at Joy Revolution have acquired debut author Angela Montoya's Sinner's Isle, a dual-POV Latinx YA fantasy romance, bought at auction in a two-book deal and pitched as Pirates of the Caribbean meets Serpent & Dove. In the story, a powerful witch being held captive on a remote island will do anything to escape it before the Offering—a week-long fiesta for the wealthy to consort with Majestics like her—including blackmailing an infamous, charming pirate who washes up on shore. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for world English rights.
Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has bought North American rights to Kathryn Purdie's latest YA fantasy, The Forest Grimm, in a preempt, pitched as Once Upon a Time meets The Village. Despite the ever-present warning from her fortune-teller grandmother that two cards, the Midnight Forest and the Fanged Creature, will spell an untimely death for her, 17-year-old Clara embarks on a dangerous journey into the Forest Grimm to procure a magical book with the power to reverse the curse on her village and save her mother who’d been lost there years ago. It will publish in 2023, followed by the sequel, The Deathly Grimm, in 2024; Josh Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the two-book deal.
Ali Fisher at Tor Teen has acquired, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, Kristen Simmons's Find Him Where You Left Him Dead, pitched as Jumanji meets I Know What You Did Last Summer in a Japanese folklore-inspired underworld that follows four estranged friends who are summoned by the ghost of a friend they left for dead. Now the group must return to the deadly game they started, or lose him and their lives forever. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Joanna MacKenzie at Nelson Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has bought The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown, journalist, #DisabledAndCute creator, and author of The Pretty One. The novel follows a Black girl with cerebral palsy who’s trying to have the #BestSummerEver—movie marathons, amusement parks, art shows —all while trying to navigate her romantic feelings for her best friend without losing their friendship. Publication is set for spring 2023; Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group did the deal for world English rights.
Emily Meehan, with Tracey Keevan, at Union Square Kids has preempted world rights to Lisi Harrison (l.) and Daniel Kraus's middle-grade series, Graveyard Girls, a slightly scary series about five friends who tell graveyard tales by night and navigate middle-school drama by day. Publication of the first book in the series, 1-2-3-4, I Declare a Thumb War, is scheduled for fall 2022; Richard Abate at 3 Arts brokered the deal.
Chris Krones at Clarion Books has acquired world rights to an untitled middle grade novel by activist, actor, and cat lover Kai Shappley (l.) and Zenobia July author Lisa Bunker. Pitched as Dumplin' meets Melissa, the novel follows a 12-year-old girl living life to the fullest and centers the richness and breadth of trans experience. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Laura Thede and Alicia Beekman at DDO Artists Agency represented Shappley, and Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented Bunker.
Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA has bought the first three books in the middle grade Woodwalkers series by Katja Brandis (l.). Shapeshifting animals live among humans in this adventure series; the first book, Carag's Transformation, will be translated from the German by Rachel Ward and will be published in fall 2022. Bianca Kuchenbrod at Arena Verlag negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Sarah Homer at HarperCollins has acquired Laura Parnum's debut novel Peril at Price Manor, about a girl determined to play the damsel in distress in her favorite director's latest horror movie, but when she visits his home, she finds his household under attack by a mysterious creature. With the help of the director's uniquely resourceful twins, she must embrace her inner heroine. Publication is planned for 2023; Kaitlyn Johnson at Belcastro Literary Agency did the two-book deal for world rights.
Meg Gaertner at Jolly Fish has bought We the Future, a middle-grade adventure by debut author Cliff Lewis. After his YouTube screed goes viral, Jonah, an anxious, asthmatic boy, is recruited by a girl from the future to launch a climate strike big enough to rewrite history—all while dodging school bullies, outrunning two vengeful 22nd-century inventors, and avoiding Jonah's mom, who works at the local coal plant. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Jen Nadol at the Unter Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Heidi Kilgras at Random House has acquired world rights to three titles in a young reader graphic novel series, Marshmallow Martians, by author and illustrator team Deanna Kent (l.) and Neil Hooson. Pitched as Strange Planet meets The Investigators, this series follows a group of Martian friends and their misadventures as they travel to Earth and discover weird, wacky, and wonderful things. Publication of the first book, Show and Smell, is set for spring 2023; Gemma Cooper at the Bent Agency represented the author and illustrator.
Susan Kochan at Putnam has bought world rights to the first four books of a chapter book series, Best Fairy Friends Forever, by debut author Kate Korsh (l.), illustrated by Marta Altes, in which a young fairy's magic tends to go sideways and cause drama among her fairy friends, and, occasionally, in the human world (often involving underwear). Publication of the first two books, Oona's Sideways Magic and A Boy in Blackberry Bog, are planned for spring 2024; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Phoebe Yeh at Crown has acquired world rights to Frances Cha's (l.) debut picture book The Goblin Twins and an untitled sequel, to be illustrated by Jaime Kim (Take Heart, My Child). In her first work for children, Cha, author of If I Had Your Face, draws from the Korean mythology of dokkaebi to bring to life two magical, good-natured goblin tricksters who set out on an unexpected Halloween adventure in New York City. The books will publish in summer 2023 and summer 2024 respectively; Theresa Park at Park & Fine Literary and Media represented the author, and Claire Easton of Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press has bought world rights to You Can Move Mountains, a picture book biography of painter and pop culture icon Bob Ross, by Richard Ho (l.) (The Lost Package), illustrated by Daniel Miyares (Hope at Sea), for fall 2024 publication. A gentle celebration of art as a way of life, the book weaves major events in the painter's life with invitations for the reader to create something new, without worrying about mistakes or what others might think. Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author, and Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
Tracey Keevan at Union Square Kids has acquired How to Eat a Book by Mrs. MacLeod and Mr. MacLeod, in a three-book preempt. With hints of Shel Silverstein and Edward Gorey, this debut picture book chronicles the adventures of cousins Sheila, Gerald, and Geraldine, who are devoured by their books—quite literally. The first book will publish in fall 2022; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold world rights.
Liza Baker at Scholastic has bought world rights to Save Me a Seat co-author Gita Varadarajan's (l.) second picture book, My Saree, illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan. In this story about culture and heritage, Divya wants to wear her mother's saree, and her disappointment about being too young spurs her mother to think creatively. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the author, and Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Jonathan Eaton at Tilbury House has acquired world rights to The Banned-Books Bake Sale, written by Aya Khalil (l.) and illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. Based on true events, the story follows a girl and her classmates who plan a protest at their school when they find out the district has banned diverse books, prompting the protagonist's teita to share her experience from the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Christy T. Ewers at CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Mary Cash at Holiday House has bought world rights to Team Trash: A Time Traveler's Guide to Sustainability, cowritten by Kate Wheeler (l.) and Trent Huntington and illustrated by Wheeler. To be published as part of the Books for a Better Earth program, the graphic novel features science fair partners whose project about trash and recycling brings them up close and personal to humanity's changing approach to sustainability. Publication is set for summer 2023; Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Wheeler, and Huntington was unagented.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to La Noche Before Three Kings Day, written by Sheila Colón-Bagley (l.) and illustrated by Alejandro Mesa. Inspired by Clement Clarke Moore's The Night Before Christmas, this picture book Latinx retelling explores the magic and wonder of Three Kings Day through a child's eager eyes. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Natascha Morris at the Tobias Agency represented the author, and Aurora Barlam at Astound represented the illustrator.
Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Lights Out author Marsha Diane Arnold's (l.) One Small Thing, a picture book about finding small ways to help another and a reminder that small kindnesses can make a big difference, illustrated by Laura Watkins and edited by Andrea Hall. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Feeding Minds Press has acquired world rights to Potatoes for Pirate Pearl, a debut picture book by Jennifer Concepcion (l.), illustrated by Chloe Burgett, and edited by Emma D. Dryden, about a pirate who's sick of hardtack biscuits and ends up on Farmer Fay's potato farm. Accompanied by her parrot Petunia, Pirate Pearl learns how potatoes are planted, grown, and harvested—and discovers they're the perfect provision for her next voyage. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow has bought world rights to Wombats Are Pretty Weird by author-illustrator Abi Cushman. In this humorous, informational picture book, a snake meets a wombat and discovers all the weird and wonderful ways wombats are special. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Kendra Marcus at BookStop Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal.
Kayla Tostevin at Page Street Kids has acquired world English rights to Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book by debut author-illustrator DK Ryland, an interactive, body positive story in which a group of animal friends need the reader's help to fit Giraffe inside the pages. Publication is set for fall 2023; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Context Literary represented the author-illustrator.
Mark Siegel and Connie Hsu at First Second have acquired world rights to Lunar New Year Love Story, a YA graphic novel by Printz Medal winner Gene Luen Yang and Caldecott Honoree LeUyen Pham. Val, a teen turned cynical after learning about a family secret, rejects all things romantic even though she's named in honor of Valentine's Day. But when sparks fly at a Lunar New Year lion dance, her fortunes and future begin to change. Interwoven with Tết, Seol-Nal, and Xin Nian traditions, this is a love story about families, faith, and finding hope. Publication is set for winter 2024; Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary represented the author, and Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the artist.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press has bought, in a two-book deal, Kasie West's Borrow My Heart and an untitled sequel. When a girl overhears a guy getting verbally destroyed by his friends for being catfished, she jumps in to save the day, pretending to be his online crush. Publication is slated for summer 2023 and summer 2024; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary Agency negotiated the deal for U.S., Canada and non-exclusive open market rights.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree has bought world English rights to Kosoko Jackson's The Forest Demands Its Due. When the murder of his classmate at an elite boarding school seems to be forgotten overnight, Douglas must confront centuries of secrets in the school's past and a vengeful creature in the forest surrounding the campus, in this dark paranormal YA thriller pitched as Witch Haven meets A Lesson in Vengeance. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal.
Jenny Bak at Viking has acquired, at auction, world English rights to Deathlings by Coco Ma. The first in an urban fantasy duology pitched as Warcross meets These Violent Delights, the book is set in a near-future New York City where an organization known as The Syndicate protects the city against deadly underground creatures who rule the night, and follows a teenage maverick hell-bent on winning a tournament held by The Syndicate in order to secure her dream job and destroy the monsters that changed everything. Publication is planned for fall 2023 and fall 2024; Holly Root at Root Literary did the two-book deal.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash (The Geek's Guide to Unrequited Love). In this YA rom-com, Iranian American Nasrin Mahdavi, who is juggling romance, friendship, family, and a prestigious musical theater major at NYU, has her world upended when her parents surprise her by moving to NYC. The problem? They think she's majoring in business. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Daughter of the Bone Forest and Daughter of the Witch King, Jasmine Skye's debut YA fantasy duology. It follows two girls whose fates are intertwined, a powerful shapeshifter farmgirl who resists joining the elite school for witches and shapeshifters, fearing she will be drafted into the king's army, and the king's daughter, a powerful witch who is destined to lead the country into bloody war, but can't help her feelings for the backwater ranch girl who wants no part of it. Publication is set for winter 2024 and winter 2025; Mary C. Moore at Kimberley Cameron & Associates did the deal for world English rights.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought the romantic YA graphic novel Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy, about a hotheaded hockey player who falls for the cool, calm boy in drama club, written and illustrated by Eisner winner Faith Erin Hicks. Publication is scheduled for 2023, Bernadette Baker-Baughman at Victoria Sanders & Associates brokered the deal for world rights.
Emily Meehan, with Tracey Keevan, at Union Square Kids has acquired, in a preempt, world English rights to Nick Brooks's Nothing Interesting Happens Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont, plus two untitled sequels. In this E.T. meets Stranger Things contemporary middle-grade novel, young inventor Ethan Fairmont makes a truly out-of-this-world discovery. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media negotiated the three-book deal on behalf of Cake Creative.
Bunmi Ishola at WaterBrook has bought a three-book middle grade series by Carolyn Leiloglou. The Restorationists trilogy centers on Vincent, a boy who discovers a magical secret: his family are the last of a secret society with the power to travel through paintings and the duty to protect them from shadowy figures use who use art to disseminate dangerous propaganda. Beneath a Swirling Sky, the first book in the trilogy, releases in fall 2023, with the untitled second and third books set for summer 2024 and spring 2025; Keely Boeving of WordServe Literary sold world rights.
Elizabeth Law at Holiday House has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Itch author Polly Farquhar's Lolo Weaver Swims Upstream, in which a sixth-grade girl goes to summer school and attempts to steal back a rescue dog. Lolo hopes to make things better for her family in her Ohio lake-town that has fallen on hard times, and winds up making an unexpected friend in the process. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Birch Path Literary handled the deal for North American rights.
Claudia Gabel at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Claire Kann's Suitehearts series, an upper middle grade series about two magical matchmakers-in-training who live in their "charming" family-owned boutique hotel. Publication will begin in winter 2023; Carrie Pestritto at Laura Dail Literary Agency negotiated the two-book deal.
Tracey Keevan at Union Square Kids has acquired I Cannot Draw a Horse by Charise Mericle Harper, in a two-book deal. The picture book features a quick-thinking narrator who attempts to appease a horse-obsessed cat with an impressive number of horse-y alternatives. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Linda Pratt at Wernick & Pratt sold world English rights.
Renee Kelly at Penguin Workshop has bought First Night of Howlergarten by author-illustrator Benson Shum, a picture book about a child who worries that she won't turn into a werewolf on her first night of howlergarten. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Teresa Kietlinski at Bookmark Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired The Knight of Little Import by Hannah Batsel (A Is for Another Rabbit). The humorous picture book tells the story of a young knight who dreams of slaying monsters but has the misfortune to live in a town too small to attract even the tiniest of terrible creatures... or does it? Publication is set for fall 2023; the author-illustrator represented herself in the deal for world rights.
Hallie Tibbetts, while at Little, Brown, bought world rights to A Few Beautiful Minutes by Kate Allen Fox (l.), a picture book about the magic and science of experiencing a solar eclipse, illustrated by Khoa Le; Deirdre Jones will edit. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Leslie Zampetti at Dunham Literary represented the author, and Christine Hong at Astound US represented the artist.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick has acquired world rights to My Father's House by Mina Javaherbin (l.), illustrated by Lindsey Yankey. Based on the author's childhood in Iran, a girl and her father walk the streets of Isfahan as they play games, eat delicious food, and enjoy cultural sites that seamlessly blend a history of Islamic and Jewish influence. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; the author represented herself, and Jessica Saint Jean at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Emma Ledbetter at Abrams has bought world rights to Hanukkah Upside Down, the debut picture book by Elissa Brent Weissman (l.), illustrated by Omer Hoffmann, in which cousins contest who celebrates Hanukkah the best from opposite seasons and sides of the world, New York and New Zealand. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Flip Brophy and Jessica Friedman at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired Ellie's Crayon Adventure by Sarah Glenn Marsh (l.), illustrated by Tiffany Rose, written in collaboration with Crayola. The story follows a girl who dreams in colors every night, and when she visits the Crayola factory on a field trip, she learns about the science—and the magic—of how new crayon colors come to life. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Make More S'mores by Cathy Ballou Mealey (l.) (When a Tree Falls), in which a patient raccoon welcomes bear after bear to his forest feast, keeping hungry (and grumbly) guests content by sharing s'more after s'more, showcasing themes of hospitality, generosity, and appreciation; Ariel Landy (Gitty and Kvetch) will illustrate. Publication is set for spring 2023; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Jonathan Eaton at Tilbury House has acquired world rights to A New Day for Umwell the Gray by Nathaniel Jenks (l.), illustrated by Rebecca Evans. In this picture book about discovering the joy possible in each new day, William lives in an endlessly gray world, but after meeting a friend who convinces him the world is never boring, William discovers a new way to look at each day and at the world. Publication is scheduled for June 2023; the author represented himself, and Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the artist.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Count on Us! Climate Activists from One to a Billion, by Gabi Snyder (l.) (Listen), illustrated by Sarah Walsh (Hats of Faith), in which young readers can see how the worldwide movement to care for our planet can grow from one to a billion; Emma Parkin will edit. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the author, and Susan McCabe at Lilla Rogers Studio represented the illustrator.
Kathleen Keenan at Kids Can Press has acquired world rights to Volcano Dance and Cloud Dance by Jessica Kulekjian (l.), illustrated by Zoe Si. These picture books personify and compare the cycle of an erupting volcano and the water cycle to the emotions of a child, with nonfiction sidebars. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Tracy Marchini and James McGowan represented the author, and Lindsay Auld at Writers House represented the artist.
Sonali Fry at Golden Books has bought world rights to Iris Apfel: A Little Golden Book Biography, written by Deborah Blumenthal (l.) and illustrated by Ellen Surrey, which chronicles the life and career of the 100-year-old fashion icon. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; the author represented herself, and Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the illustrator.
