Rosemary Brosnan at Quill Tree has bought Whiteout, the follow-up to the bestselling novel Blackout, which is currently in development for Netflix. The novel will be co-written by the six authors of Blackout: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. In the novel, Atlanta is blanketed in snow from a huge storm just before Christmas. A group of Black teens, who reflect a diverse range of identities and experiences, band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology of her life. Publication is scheduled for November 8, 2022; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency, who represents Clayton, did the deal for North American rights on behalf of Natalie Lakosil while at Bradford Literary for Jackson, Mollie Glick at CAA for Stone, Janklow & Nesbit for Thomas, Beth Phelan at Gallt & Zacker for Woodfolk, and Jodi Reamer at Writers House for Yoon. Photo © Tiffany D. Jackson (clockwise from top l.): Thomas, Jackson, Stone, Yoon, Clayton, and Woodfolk.
Foyinsi Adegbonmire at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, at auction, Sisi Americanah by Jane Igharo. Pitched for fans of Never Have I Ever, this YA contemporary romance follows a 17-year-old Nigerian immigrant who turns to classic teen movies to get up to speed on American high school life in order to navigate her senior year, only to discover that while her Upstate New York school includes all the same players from the movies she’s watched—the jock, the cheerleader, the brains—they aren't playing the typical roles, and maybe she doesn't have to either. Publication is set for fall 2023; Kevan Lyon at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Kendra Levin at Simon & Schuster has bought I Will Find You Again, a YA novel by Sarah Lyu (The Best Lies), in an exclusive submission. The book follows two girls in an affluent Long Island neighborhood who fall in love and then fall apart before one of them dies in a mysterious boating accident. The book will publish in spring 2023; Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Jenny Bak at Viking has acquired Farrah Penn's Canceled, a contemporary YA novel aimed at fans of Jenny Han and Netflix's Sex Education. When a salacious after-party video puts 18-year-old senior Brynn Whitaker at the center of a school-wide scandal, she finds her reputation—and her dating advice side hustle—on the brink. She's left with two options: take up the fight against sexist double standards, or expose another girl to save her own skin. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte has bought These Bodies Between Us by Sarah Van Name (The Goodbye Summer). Pitched as The Craft by way of Nina LaCour, this YA contemporary novel with a speculative twist follows four friends in a North Carolina beach town who spend their summer learning to become invisible. But as it becomes harder to reinhabit their bodies, the girls must decide if they're willing to relinquish their new power. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Maria Bell at Sterling Lord Literistic handled the deal for world English rights.
Kieran Viola at Disney-Hyperion has acquired When We Had Summer, a YA novel by Jennifer Castle (The Beginning of After). This contemporary story of loss, connection, and healing follows three girls as they try to salvage their friend group and continue an annual bucket list the summer after the death of their alpha girl. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kristen Pettit at HarperTeen has bought Sarah Beth Durst's YA thriller, The Lake House. Pitched as Yellowjackets meets One of Us Is Lying, it's about three teenage girls stranded in the wilderness without food, water, or shelter, with a killer, or something far worse, hunting them. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger brokered the deal for world rights.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to Gabe Cole Novoa's untitled YA retelling of Pride & Prejudice, featuring the second eldest Bennet as a transgender boy and Darcy as a gay teenager, navigating the oppressively rigid gender norms of the 19th century, as part of the Remixed Classics series. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Louise Fury at the Bent Agency negotiated the deal.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Wake Now in the Fire, a graphic novel by Jarrett Dapier (l.), illustrated by AJ Dungo, based on a true story that attracted national attention and was the subject of the author's award-winning investigative reporting. The story follows a group of Chicago high school students who take on the censors when Persepolis is banned from their school system. It's set for fall 2023; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Emily Daluga at Abrams/Amulet has acquired The Dark Room, a YA horror graphic novel series by debut writer Victoria Setian (l.) and Savanna Ganucheau (Bloom), about a young photographer named Mina whose interest in a mysterious shipwreck brings her into the dark orbit of Raf, the brooding new kid who has everyone swooning over him—but Mina soon realizes that Raf may have a sinister secret. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented the authors for world English rights in a two-book deal.
Karen Wojtyla at McElderry has bought Betsy Uhrig's next middle-grade novel, The Polter-Ghost Problem, about three friends who stumble upon an abandoned orphanage and discover that freeing a houseful of imprisoned ghosts from an angry poltergeist could get them in serious trouble. Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency handled the deal for North American rights, for publication in fall 2022.
Monica Perez at Versify has acquired world rights to Emmy in the Key of Code author Aimee Lucido's (l.) middle grade novel Words Apart. Told in a series of poetry, comics, word definitions, and crossword puzzles, it's the story of two sisters and their sometimes tumultuous relationship, as they realize that life doesn't always have a right answer spelled out in black-and-white boxes. Philippa Corcutt (c.) and Rachael Corcutt (r.) will illustrate. Publication is set for winter 2024; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrators.
Alex Borbolla at Atheneum has bought, at auction, Camp Prodigy by Caroline Palmer. The debut middle grade graphic novel follows two non-binary violists, one a virtuoso cracking under the pressure and the other a passionate novice, who meet at a summer orchestra camp. As they help each other become better musicians, they learn that their worth isn't dependent on their achievements. Publication is slated for 2024; Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group did the deal for world rights.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has acquired Ali the Great, an early reader series by Saadia Faruqi (l.), illustrated by Hatem Aly, creators of Yasmin. Ali Tahir is a Pakistani American second grader whose big ideas sometimes land him in a little trouble—but his even bigger heart always comes through stronger in the end. Publication of the first title, Ali the Great and the Market Mishap, is scheduled for fall 2023; Kari Sutherland at kt literary represented the author while at Bradford Literary Agency, and Emmajane Turner at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Tompa at Candlewick has bought world rights to three books in the Rica Baptista series, beginning with Llamas, Iguanas, and My Very Best Friend, about a Cape Verdean-American girl navigating friend and family relationships, written by NAACP Image Award nominee Janet Costa Bates (l.) and illustrated by Gladys Jose. Publication will begin in fall 2022. Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author for books two and three, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired world rights to author-illustrator Supriya Kelkar's Shine: A Story of Colonization, the Kohinoor Diamond, and Resistance, the story of one of the world's most famous diamonds, stolen from South Asia during colonization, which sits in the crown jewels in London today, and a call to action for readers to decolonize and hold their heads up high. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar: The Musical Life of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Woman Who Invented Rock and Roll, written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. This picture book biography of a pioneering Black artist imagines the rural childhood of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose unique fusion of spiritual lyrics and electric guitar created the sound we now know as rock and roll. Publication is set for spring 2023; Shadra Strickland at Painted Words did the two-book deal.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired world rights to Coretta Scott King Honoree Junauda Petrus's (l.) debut picture book Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?, based on her viral poem, which envisions a fearless future without police, illustrated by Kristen Uroda. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Maria Russo at Astra/mineditionUS has bought, at auction, in a two-book deal, world rights to comedian and actor Jesus Trejo's (l.) debut picture book Jesús and the Water Jug Clock, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz (Goldie's Guide to Grandchilding). In this humorous picture book based on Trejo's childhood, little Jesús and Papá spend a scorching Saturday mowing lawns and rationing water to get them through the workday. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Albert Lee at United Talent Agency represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the artist.
Elizabeth Agyemang at Clarion has acquired world rights to Natural Me by Ghana Music Award-winning singer MzVee (l.), illustrated by Lisbeth Checo. Inspired by her hit song "Natural Girl," this picture book is a celebration of self-love and beauty, inside and out. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Karen Kilpatrick at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Saritza Hernández at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Tamar Mays at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Sketty and Meatball by Sarah Weeks (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Betsy Lewin. In this picture book, Sketty and Meatball may not look alike, but this doggie duo is always up to something fun. Publication is set for fall 2023; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties negotiated the deal.
Grace Kendall at FSG has acquired world rights to It's Pride, Baby, a picture book introducing children to the experience of LGBTQIA+ Pride through a parade, with all its love and sense of community, by Allen Wells (l.), illustrated by India Valle, for publication in spring 2023. Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has bought world rights to The Gabi That Girma Wore by Sara Ackerman (l.) and Fasika Adefris (c.), illustrated by Netsanet Tesfay (r.). This picture book tells the story of how the gabi, a traditional Ethiopian blanket, is made in a celebration of weaving, community and culture. Publication is slated for winter 2024; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the authors, and the artist represented herself.
Rick Rinehart at Globe Pequot has acquired world rights to the picture book Mya McLure, The Brave Science Girl: The Toad Cave by Douglas Haddad (l.), illustrated by Jennifer Ball-Cordero. A family of toads, threatened by land development, is rehomed by an innovative and courageous second grader, Mya McLure. Fall 2023 publication is planned; the author represented himself, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has acquired world rights for The Postcard Project, a picture book by Maggie Lauren Brown (l.), illustrated by Asma Enayeh, about a girl who overcomes homesickness by handcrafting postcards from recycled materials. Publication is set for spring 2023; Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Karen Lotz and Andrea Tompa at Candlewick Press have acquired three works of short fiction inspired by fairy tales and folkloric tradition by two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. The first title, Spelhorst's Trunk, tells the story of five puppets, each with their own dreams and longings, who find themselves in a trunk together and are carried off into an adventure. It will be illustrated in black and white by Julie Morstad, and is scheduled for fall 2023, with subsequent books by other illustrators to release in fall 2024 and fall 2025. Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties did the deal for world rights; Emily Van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented Morstad.
Gretchen Durning at Razorbill has bought Threads That Bind by debut author Kika Hatzopoulou, a genre-bending YA fantasy noir set in a half-sunken city where the descendants of the gods have inherited their powers. After Io—a descendant of the Greek Fates—witnesses a murder committed by a woman who should be dead, she's drawn into a conspiracy that reaches from the darkest underbelly of the city to its shiniest heights. Publication is set for summer 2023; Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Kate Meltzer at Roaring Brook has acquired, at auction, Gorgeous Gruesome Faces, Linda Cheng's debut YA and its sequel. Pitched as Wilder Girls meets Loveboat, Taipei, it's a supernatural sapphic YA horror novel set in the glittering, cut-throat world of Asian pop. The story follows a disgraced teen idol who comes face to face with a former bandmate and the demons of their shared past when the two enter a competition that devolves into a deadly nightmare. Publication is slated for fall 2023; John Cusick at Folio Literary Management/Folio Jr. brokered the deal for world rights.
Alyssa Miele at Quill Tree has bought, at auction, Brian Wasson's debut YA romcom Seven Minutes in Candyland. Pitched as Sex Education with #BlackBoyJoy, the story follows a teen who runs a candy-themed therapy gig at his high school to raise money for a lavish vacation he hopes will save his parents' failing marriage. But when he starts falling for his very first client, he finds himself in an ethical quandary that will threaten his friendships and his morals. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Jon Cobb at HG Literary handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired The Summer Love Strategy by Ray Stoeve, a YA romance in which Hayley and Talia, two best friends who decide to help each other find love by emulating rom-coms, end up falling for each other instead. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Lauren Abramo of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has bought, in a preempt, Eisner Award-nominated author-illustrator Jason Walz's YA graphic novel, The Flip Side, which explores grief, depression, and mental health, packaged as a thriller. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties brokered the deal for world English rights.
Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA has acquired the YA Rosenholm trilogy by Gry Kappel Jensen (l.). This dark fantasy series, set in a magical boarding school, follows four girls who become involved in solving an old murder case. The first book, Roses & Violets, will be translated from the Danish by Sharon E. Rhodes and published in fall 2023. Tine Nielsen at Babel-Bridge Literary Agency did the deal for world English rights.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to The Miraculous Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: The Real True Story of a Lake That Disappeared by Allan Wolf (l.), illustrated by Jose Pimienta. This nonfiction middle grade graphic novel tells the story of the 1980 disaster, when a freshwater lake in Louisiana drained dry following a mining error and various boats were sucked into a vortex only to be spat back to the surface several days later. Publication is set for fall 2025; the author represented himself, and Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Christopher Duffy at Union Square Kids has acquired debut MG graphic novel Ghost Circus by Adrienne Kress (l.), illustrated by Jade Zhang, the story of a 12-year-old boy, a creepy ghost girl, an adorable polterghost, and a group of spirited circus performers, as they spend one freaky night trying to evade the Headless Horseman and solve the mystery of the Ghost Circus. Publication is planned for 2025; Jessica Regel at Helm Literary represented the author, and Erin Casey Westin at Gallt and Zacker represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought, in an exclusive submission, Playbook for Imperfect Planets by debut author Erin Becker. This contemporary, dual-POV middle grade novel is an enemies-to-first-crushes story following two 13-year-old girls whose fierce rivalry on the soccer field is complicated by their burgeoning feelings for each other. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Joanna Volpe and Abigail Donoghue at New Leaf Literary & Media negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Rose Pleuler at HarperAlley has acquired world English rights to Right to Left by Coco Fox, a middle-grade graphic novel memoir debut about a sixth grader who's determined to make friends on her school's basketball team—even after she breaks her dominant right hand and is forced to play with her left. It's set for summer 2024; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management brokered the deal.
Melissa Warten at FSG has bought, in an exclusive submission, Penny Hope by Sarah Allen (What Stars Are Made Of), in which 12-year-old Penny is haunted by the Fear Maker, a dark being who visits her dreams and sucks the souls of the people around her until their eyes are nothing but blank voids. When her beloved poetess Grandma takes ill and Penny begins seeing the blank nightmare eyes in waking life, she knows she'll need her own poetry (and a friend) more than anything if she's going to confront the Fear Maker. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low/Tu Books has acquired Fight Back by A.M. Dassu (Boy, Everywhere), a middle grade novel about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it. The story follows 13-year-old Aaliyah, who feels alone when bullied for wearing a hijab for the first time, but through her organizing efforts against a school ban on religious symbols, finds friends and allies where she least expected. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Janine O'Malley at FSG has bought world rights to How to Stay Invisible, a middle-grade novel by Maggie Rudd about a boy abandoned by his family who, to avoid being sent back to foster care, dodges discovery surviving in the woods with his faithful dog and a protective coyote, using his wits and basic survival skills. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary, in association with Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises, handled the deal for world rights.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has acquired world rights to The Silverwood, a middle grade novel by Deva Fagan. It follows 12-year-old Sylvie on her journey to defend the last great forest of the realm and the unicorn who protects it, undergoing a beastly transformation, evading meddlesome deities, compelling a coven of witches, and challenging the wicked Hollow King who threatens to destroy the balance of nature and magic. Publication is set for fall 2023; Hannah Fergesen at KT Literary negotiated the deal.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has bought Evergreen by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell, a tale of bravery and love in which a young squirrel, afraid of many things, faces her fears along the dark paths of the forest to deliver soup to her sick Granny Oak. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the deal for North American rights.
Maria Modugno at Random House Studio has acquired The Noise Inside Boys by Pete Oswald, a social emotional learning picture book about fathers and sons. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions sold world rights.
Chris Krones at Clarion Books has bought world rights to Little Boo, a picture book by author-illustrator by Maddie Frost, in which a ghost feels their little sibling is way too much trouble and switches with a werewolf, only to find that the grass isn't always greener. It's scheduled for summer 2024; Andrea Morrison at Writers House did the deal.
Jill Davis at Astra/Hippo Park has acquired rights to Addie and the Amazing Acrobats by debut author-illustrator Shauna Cagan. Addie and her best buddies are sweet bat pups by day and daring acrobats by night—but Addie has stars in her eyes and sets out on her own to find fame and fortune. What's more important, fame or friends? Publication is set for fall 2023; Mona Kanin at Great Dog Literary sold world rights.
Kelly Barrales-Saylor at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to The Glow Show by Susi Schaefer (Cat Ladies). The picture book follows a bioluminescent squid named Glow who loves the spotlight but soon learns that when he ditches his true friends in search of more fans, he literally (and figuratively) loses his glow. Publication is slated for May 2023; Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan negotiated the deal.
Hilary Van Dusen at MIT Kids/Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to Cosmic Collisions, a picture book series by astrophysicist Marc Kuchner (l.), illustrated by Matt Schu, in a two-book deal; Kristin Zelazko will edit. This series, which is planned for spring 2024 and spring 2025, pits cosmic objects against each other. Lisa Amstutz at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to The Last Slice: A Three Kings Day Treat by Melissa Seron Richardson (l.), illustrated by Monica Arnaldo, a picture book about a girl's humorous journey to overcome her fear of the special dessert she loves so much: the Rosca de Reyes— a sweet bread with a baby Jesus figurine baked into it eaten on Three Kings Day. Publication is set for fall 2023; Amy Jameson at A+B Works represented Richardson, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented Arnaldo.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to The Moon Club by David A. Kelly (l.) (the Ballpark Mysteries series), illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham, a nonfiction picture book about astronaut Alan Shepard playing golf on the moon in 1972. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Bábo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day by Astrid (Astghik) Kamalyan (l.), illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan. This intergenerational picture book follows Tatevik, her siblings, and their friend on Armenian rug-washing day with Bábo (grandmother). Publication is slated for fall 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christy T. Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Jiahui Zhu at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to My Grandpa, My Tree and Me by Roxanne Troup (l.), illustrated by Kendra Binney, which follows a child's relationship with her grandfather through the seasons of caring for and harvesting pecans before finally tasting the reward of their labor. Publication is planned for spring 2023 in the U.S. and mainland China; the author represented herself, and Lilla Rogers Studio represented the illustrator.
