Alexandra Cooper at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired Clues to the Universe author Christina Li's debut YA novel, True Love and Other Impossible Odds. Pitched as Nina LaCour meets The Half of It, the story follows a first-year college student Grace Tang who invents a class algorithm that pairs people with their perfect romantic campus match, only to have everything thrown into question as she explores questions of love, identity, and her past. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Jess Regel at Helm Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Sarah Grill at Wednesday Books has bought People to Follow by Olivia Worley in an exclusive submission, for six figures. Pitched as And Then There Were None meets Hype House, this twisty YA debut is about 10 teen influencers, brought to a remote Caribbean island for what they think is a new reality show about detaching from their phones and living IRL. But when one of them winds up dead, they realize someone has discovered the secrets they've been hiding—and the price of being "canceled" will be their lives. Publication is set for fall 2023; Claire Friedman at Inkwell Management did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has acquired through exclusive submission Trung Le Nguyen's (The Magic Fish) contemporary YA graphic novel Angelica and the Bear Prince. Angelica is a 17-year-old overachieving high school student learning to rebalance herself after burning out. When she commits herself to a theater internship, she struggles to balance her passion, her friendships, and her crush on the mysterious boy in the bear costume without crashing all over again. Publication is planned for 2025; Kate McKean at Morhaim Literary sold world rights.
Cassidy Leyendecker at Disney/Hyperion has bought Jessie Weaver's debut YA novel Live Your Best Lie, a thriller in which toxic influencer culture gets a killer twist when a group of teens find out that sometimes the prettiest Instagram feeds mask the darkest and bloodiest secrets, as a part of Disney's imprint with Melissa de la Cruz's MDLC Studio. Publication for the first book is scheduled for January 2023 and book two for January 2024; Richard Abate at 3 Arts Entertainment sold world rights in a two-book deal.
Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Lynne Missen at Penguin Canada have acquired Of Light and Shadow, another YA fantasy novel by Tanaz Bhathena set in the same universe as her Wrath of Ambar duology. The novel is about a dangerous romance between a bandit and a rakish prince who fight for change in a corrupt world inspired by the badlands of 17th-century India and Zoroastrian mythology. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Eleanor Jackson at Dunow, Carlson & Lerner sold world rights, excluding Canada.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperTeen has bought, in an exclusive submission, Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball by Jason June (Jay's Gay Agenda) and a standalone second book. In this contemporary YA novel, gay, femme 16-year-old Riley hopes to enter the Gaybutante Society, a world-renowned organization full of queer tastemakers. When he's told by a gay cis classmate that gay guys aren't attracted to femme gays, Riley bets he'll find a boyfriend in time for the Gaybutante Ball. Publication is set for summer 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has acquired A Warning About Swans by R.M. Romero (The Ghosts of Rose Hill), a YA fairy tale in verse, set at the court of King Ludwig II, in which swan maiden Hilde, feeling imprisoned by the responsibility her father Odin created her for, gives up her magical wings to forge her own fate in the human world. But after making a pact with an upstart baron, she finds herself trapped in a different prison, one that only Jewish artist Franz, who has the power to paint souls, can help free her from. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has bought world rights to the middle-grade graphic novel Earth to Chris Cleevy! by Christof Bogacs (l.), illustrated by Hannah Krieger, about the life of 11-year-old Chris as he navigates the emergence of his OCD alongside meeting his mother's new boyfriend, Phil—who Chris is convinced is an alien in disguise. It's scheduled for winter 2024; Jessica Mileo at InkWell represented the author, and Charlie Olsen at InkWell represented the illustrator.
IDW has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to the first in the graphic novel series, called Cooking with Monsters: The Beginner's Guide to Culinary Combat, by Jordan Alsaqa (l.) and Vivian Truong. Hana Ozawa is the newest face at the Gourmand Academy of Culinary Combat, a school that will teach her how to fight monsters and how to turn them into delicious meals, but as the school year begins, Hana struggles to keep up. Publication is slated for fall 2023; the authors represented themselves.
Rebecca Taylor at Wonderbound has bought, in a preempt, Melissa Pagluica's debut middle grade graphic novel Above the Clouds, based on the webcomic, which intertwines two stories, one about a hero who must save a dying world, and another about a young heroine who must convince an author to finish the story he's started. Publication is set for 2023; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world English rights.
Tracy Gates at Viking has acquired three picture books by author-illustrator Gianna Marino (Night Animals Need Sleep Too), marking their ninth collaboration. The first book, The Outside, tells the story of a prairie dog named Earl, who overcomes his fear of the outdoors with the help of friends. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has bought author-illustrator Skylaar Amann's new picture book, Everybody Needs a Hole in the Ground, where a girl retreats to a hole in the ground in her backyard when she needs a break from the world, while her friend tries to balance giving her alone time with helping her stay connected to life outside as she decompresses. Publication is planned for 2024; Jessica Watterson at Sandra Dijkstra Literary did the deal for North American rights.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to Jam Dong's debut author-illustrated picture book, The Story Factory, about a factory that produces books using only the same tried and true formulas. When the system malfunctions, the workers try to find the source of the problem but the issue persists, leading to a disaster with surprising results. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Shadra Strickland at Painted Words brokered the deal for world rights.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to author-illustrator Katy Hudson's Waiting on Mr. Sloth, a picture book that showcases the unlikely duo of an energetic, impatient girl and her best friend, Mr. Sloth. Sasha does not like to wait, and Mr. Sloth is never in a hurry—which causes problems and interesting solutions in their friendship. Publication is set for spring 2023; Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency negotiated the deal.
Maria Russo at Astra/mineditionUS has acquired world rights to The Book from Far Away by Bruce Handy (l.) (The Happiness of a Dog with a Ball in Its Mouth), illustrated by Julie Benbassat. In this wordless picture book, a human child and an alien child have a chance meeting, and an exchange of books opens up both their perspectives. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Jennifer Joel at ICM Literary represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought, at auction, world rights to How to Eat in Space by Helen Taylor (l.), illustrated by Stevie Lewis, a picture book about the complicated, sometimes humorous task of eating while away from Earth. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Amy Tompkins at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Edward Maxwell at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the artist.
Rosie Ahmed at Dial has acquired world rights to The House Before Falling into the Sea, a debut historical fiction picture book from Ann Suk Wang (l.), illustrated by Hanna Cha. Set in Korea during the Korean War, the story is about a child whose family shelters refugees with nowhere else to go. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Louise Fury at the Bent Agency represented the author, and Wendi Gu at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the illustrator.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick Press has bought world rights to Jayden Noticed by Carolyn Crimi (l.), illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice, a picture book in which a boy and his family move to a new home where he notices a perfect wishing rock that he hopes will grant him a little courage and help him make a new friend. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Kait Feldmann at Clarion has acquired world rights to Down the Hole, a debut picture book for both author Scott Slater (l.) and illustrator Adam Ming. The tale follows a suspiciously polite fox who tries to coax his next meal out of the burrow—but is met with a clever rabbit who has been plotting with his warren to arrange a different meal than the fox expects. Publication is set for fall 2023; Shannon Gallagher at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author, and Lydia Silver at Darley Anderson Illustration Agency represented the artist.
Della Farrell at Holiday House has bought world rights to Amazing Abe: Abraham Cahan and His Newspaper by Norman H. Finkelstein (l.), illustrated by Sydney Taylor Book Award winner Vesper Stamper, a picture book biography of the founder and editor of the Yiddish newspaper The Jewish Daily Forward. Publication is planned for spring 2024; the author represented himself, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Sami's Special Gift: An Eid al-Adha Story by M.O. Yuksel (l.), illustrated by Hüseyin Sönmezay, a picture book about how a surprise package sparks one boy's journey of discovering the true meaning of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday honoring sacrifice and charity. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Jenna Pocius at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Brett Duquette at Little Bee Books has bought world rights to Blinker, Blinker Little Car by Susan B. Katz (l.), illustrated by Jen Taylor, a vehicle-themed twist on "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" about a bright red car racing through the playground, down the track, all the way to bedtime. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Karen Kilpatrick at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Emmajane Turner at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Dena Neusner at Apples & Honey Press has acquired world rights to The Unexpected Adventures of C.A.T. by Johanna Hurwitz (l.), illustrated by Sam Loman. One night Chaia Ann Tober turns into a real cat, or was it a dream? In C.A.T. and her brother's nighttime adventures, they prowl their neighborhood, prevent a tragic cat-astrophe, and see each other in a whole new light. Publication is set for April 2023; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Taylor Norman at Chronicle has bought world rights to Homesick, a picture book cowritten by Liz Garton Scanlon (l.) and Audrey Vernick (c.), illustrated by Daniel Miyares (r.). The story explores the idea of homesickness through the experience of one little girl—and one little home. Publication is planned for fall 2025. Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the authors, and Studio Goodwin Sturges represented the illustrator.
Sarah Fell at Magination Press has acquired world rights to Something Is Happening to Our Planet, a picture book written by Marianne Celano (l.) and Marietta Collins (c.), illustrated by Bhagya Madanasinghe (r.). The story describes the narrator's efforts advocating for re-usable lunch trays at her school, and the book is intended to support challenging conversations with children about saving the planet. A spring 2023 publication is slated; the authors represented themselves, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has acquired, in an exclusive submission, two YA thrillers by April Henry. In Stay Dead, 16-year-old Milan is determined to uncover the truth after her senator parents are murdered. In When We Were Missing, Willow finds a camera card filled with photos of teen girls—all with fear on their faces. Publication is set for winter 2024 and winter 2025; Wendy Schmalz at the Wendy Schmalz Agency sold world rights.
Connolly Bottum at Inkyard Press has bought This Is Why We Lie author Gabriella Lepore's newest YA mystery, Bad Like Us, following two teens as their classmate is found dead in a coastal cave on spring break, and the only clues are a lost phone and the victim's final words. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Whitney Ross at Irene Goodman Agency negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights.
Meg Gaertner at Flux has acquired Claire Winn's City of Vicious Night, a queer, female-led cyberpunk adventure, in which heiress-turned-smuggler Asa and gunslinger Riven are forced to vie for leadership of an underworld faction after a hacker turns the city against them; meanwhile, a captured crew member must ally with an old enemy to find his way home. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Cortney Radocaj at Belcastro Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Dana Leydig at Viking has bought North American rights to Luminous Beings by David Arnold (l.) (Mosquitoland) and illustrated by Jose Pimienta (Suncatcher). It's a YA graphic novel about a group of teens who decide to film a documentary about humanity's recent brush with extinction (via undead squirrels), which leads them on a series of misadventures throughout the night. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Daniel Lazar at Writers House represented the author, and Elizabeth Bennett at the Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has acquired North American rights to Mary Pearson (l.)'s Morrighan, illustrated by Kate O'Hara, based on the world of Pearson's Remnant Chronicles trilogy and Dance of Thieves duology, offering a deeper glimpse into Morrighan and Jafir's harrowing journey and their love story, and insights into the origins of these fictional universes. It's scheduled for fall 2022; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Rosemary Brosnan at Quill Tree has bought, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen (Garlic and the Vampire), a middle grade graphic novel about a girl whose older sister hesitantly allows her to take an apprenticeship with a duo of magicians to help her control her own magic, until rumors of a dangerous lich begin to run through the town. The second book, Dracula, is a YA retelling from the perspective of Mina Murray, Bram Stoker's oft-overlooked heroine. Publication of the first book is set for 2024; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management did the deal for world rights.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has acquired, in a two-book deal, The Many Assassinations of Samir, Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares. The middle grade novel, set in the 11th century, follows a portly huckster named Samir and his young Zoroastrian monk-turned-servant as they travel along the Silk Road, trying to evade the deadly killer known as "Cid." Publication is slated for spring 2023; Jo Volpe at New Leaf Literary sold world English and Dutch rights.
Catherine Frank at Peachtree has bought world rights to contemporary middle-grade novel Anatomy of Lost Things plus an untitled second book by Shawn K. Stout (The Impossible Destiny of Cutie Grackle). Afraid her mother might disappear again, 11-year-old Tilly Gubbers decides to track down the amber necklace Mama gave her after it is accidentally sold at her father's auction house. A hunt through a small town of eccentrics unfolds and is soon complicated by the arrival of a mysterious new girl. Publication is planned for summer 2024 and fall 2025, respectively; Kristin Ostby at Greenhouse Literary represented the author.
Megan Brown at IDW has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Faraway: The Moon Festival, the first book of a debut middle grade graphic novel series by Jeremy Melloul (l.), illustrated by Renan Nuche. In this book about grief and living with loss, Corin, a young explorer hoping to discover a way into the Spirit World to find her lost brother, arrives in the town of Cascadia two days before its once-in-a-generation Moon Festival, during which a portal to the Spirit World will open. Publication is set for summer 2024; the authors were unagented.
Rebecca Taylor at Wonderbound has bought world English rights to middle grade graphic novel The Good Boye Guild by author-illustrator Megan McKay. This D&D-inspired dogs vs. cats fantasy adventure tells the origin story of the Guild, a band of pups on a quest to find the collar of the Rabid King from a figure known as the Regent, while an "evil" opponent—a kindle of cats—is also after the collar. But things are not all they seem. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary represented the author.
Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired Daisy the Daydreamer by author-illustrator Jennifer P. Goldfinger, a picture book about a girl with her head in the (literal) clouds who learns to focus her talents in an entirely new direction. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Liza Kaplan at Viking has bought Unstoppable John, a new picture book by Pat Zietlow Miller (l.), illustrated by Jerry Jordan, which tells the true story of how Congressman John Lewis's quest for books and his belief that libraries should be for everyone launched his lifetime work as an advocate for civil rights, and solidified his lifelong love affair with reading. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Rachel Matson and Celia Lee, while at Scholastic, have acquired world rights to Awake, Asleep, a rhythmic read-aloud exploring the extraordinary in a baby's everyday world, written by National Book Award finalist Kyle Lukoff (l.) (When Aidan Became a Brother), illustrated by Nadia Alam. Publication is set for summer 2023; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Kendra Levin at Simon & Schuster has bought world rights to Too Much by Laurel Goodluck (l.), illustrated by Bridget George. Russell's big, loving Native family is just too noisy, too many, too much… and just enough. Publication is scheduled for 2024; Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary represented the author and the illustrator.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired Love Like Chocolate, a debut picture book by Tracy Banghart (l.) (A Season of Sinister Dreams), illustrated by Alina Chau (In the Spirit of a Dream). Inspired by the adoption of her daughter, the story follows an older child teaching a newly adopted sibling about how their family shows love through traditions (and chocolate). Publication is slated for fall 2023; Pam Gruber at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker represented the artist in the deal for world rights.
Janine O'Malley at FSG has bought world rights to Pamela Courtney's (l.) debut picture book Fish Fry Friday: A Cane River Tale, illustrated by Toni D. Chambers. This story follows a girl in preparation for her first time fishing with her Pa père, her beloved grandpa, where she discovers that the true magic of a Louisianan Fish Fry Friday is not the big catch. Publication is planned for winter 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Alison Deering at Capstone has acquired world rights to The Ashe Brothers: How Arthur and Johnnie Changed Tennis Forever, a picture book from debut author Judy Allen Dodson (l.), illustrated by David Wilkerson, the true story of Arthur Ashe and his younger brother, Johnnie. Though little known, their teamwork and close relationship were key to Arthur becoming the first Black man to break the color barrier in men's tennis and win a Grand Slam title in 1968. Publication is set for spring 2023; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Emmajane Turner at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought Small Shoes by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (l.), a nonfiction picture book that tells the story of three first-grade girls who integrated McDonogh 19 School in New Orleans on the same day Ruby Bridges integrated Franz Elementary—November 14, 1960. Fine artist Alex Bostic will illustrate. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself in the deal for world rights.
Sarah Fell at Magination Press acquired world rights to Gretchen Gets a GRIP by Jaime Roche (l.), illustrated by Doruntina Beqiraj. The story follows Gretchen as she navigates her way through her fear of vomiting after a stomach bug causes an embarrassing scene in the cafeteria. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; the author represented herself, and Lillian Mazeika at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Cameron Kids has bought world rights to The Churro Stand by Karina González (l.), illustrated by Krystal Quiles, a picture book about a girl who helps her mother sell churros made with love on a warm, rainy day in New York City. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Charlotte Sheedy at the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency represented the author and artist.
Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Our Wish for You: A Story About Open Adoption by Dano Moreno (l.) and illustrated by Ryan O’Rourke. Inspired by the author and his husband's adoption of their son, the picture book follows a couple who adopts a baby, stays connected to the birth mother, and wishes only the best for their child. Publication is set for summer 2023; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rubio at WaterBrook/Multnomah has bought world rights to Since the Baby Came by Kathleen Long Bostrom (l.), illustrated by Janet Samuel. The picture book covers the full range of emotions a child experiences when welcoming a new sibling into the family. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Rachel Kent at Books & Such Literary represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Celia Lee while at Scholastic/Cartwheel acquired world rights to the board book You Are Getting Sleepy by Lori Alexander (l.), illustrated by Monica Mikai, with Rachel Matson editing. This look at bedtime explores how baby gets sleepy (and sometimes not). Publication is planned for fall 2022; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Feather Flores at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Little Dumplings, a multicultural board book celebration of dumplings around the world, from debut authors (clockwise from l.) Jekka Kuhlmann, Krissy Kuhlmann, and Haley Hazell, illustrated by Manita Boonyong. Publication is slated for spring 2023; the authors and the artist represented themselves.
