Mara Delgado Sánchez at Wednesday Books has acquired For She Is Wrath and a second untitled book by debut author Emily Varga. Pitched as a YA Pakistani Count of Monte Cristo fantasy, it follows Dania, who is counting down the days until she can exact her revenge on the ex-lover that accused her of a crime she didn't commit. But when the person standing in her way is the very man who condemned her, retribution becomes a complicated game of cat and mouse. Publication is set for winter 2024; Paige Terlip and Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Elizabeth Stranahan at Crown has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Ivies author Alexa Donne's next YA thriller, The Bitter End. Eight teens from an exclusive prep school find themselves on a class trip of horrors, stranded in the mountains with a killer—who may be one of their own. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Elana Roth Parker at Laura Dail Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has acquired Wren Martin Ruins It All, an asexual YA rom-com by Amanda DeWitt (Aces Wild: A Heist), pitched as Netflix's Love Is Blind meets Red, White, and Royal Blue. As student council president, Wren Martin's first order of business is to abolish the annual Valentine's Day Dance, but after his rival sabotages his plan by securing a sponsorship from an anonymous dating app, Wren takes matters into his own hands and develops an inconvenient crush on a mysterious app user. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Cate Hart at Harvey Klinger Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for world rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street Kids has bought rights to The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro. Pitched as a queer retelling of The Mysteries of Udolpho, the story follows a young man on the run from his overbearing aunt who gets embroiled in the mystery and intrigue of a wealthy family and caught between the affection of the young lord and the apprentice to the local doctor, complete with roiling fog, secret passages, and literal monsters. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Eva Scalzo at Speilburg Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has acquired, in a preempt, Origins, an upper middle grade nonfiction book by Debbie Levy (I Dissent; This Promise of Change), about the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, and the misinformation and politicization that surrounded this debate over evolution and what public school teachers could and should teach their students. Publication is set for winter 2025; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Ruqayyah Daud at Little, Brown has bought two middle grade books by Alexandria Rogers. In The Beast, the Queen, and the Lost Knight, best friends Ellie and Caedmon must complete three quests to graduate to the next level as Knights of the Round Table, but when an ancient evil arises, saving the realms will require them to overcome a test of loyalty among foes determined to tear them apart; and in Spellbound Solstice, pitched as for fans of Hocus Pocus, a 13-year-old girl, in an effort to bring her parents back together, uncovers a generations-old curse. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023 and 2024; Lauren Spieller at TriadaUS Literary Agency sold world rights.
Maria Barbo at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired in an exclusive submission Keep in Touch and a untitled middle grade novel by Lisa Greenwald (11 Before 12). On the cusp of middle school, city-bred besties about to be separated by a big move discover that the paper fortune-tellers they made in third grade are the magical key to staying connected. Publication for the first book is planned for summer 2024; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Birch Path Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury has bought, at auction, The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans. Pitched as Too Bright to See meets Doll Bones, the middle grade novel follows River, who can see monsters and enter a spirit world called The Otherwoods—but would rather avoid both at all costs. When their crush is kidnapped and taken to the Otherwoods, River must face their fears and find the confidence to believe in themself in order to save her. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Lily Kessinger at Clarion has acquired Noah Frye Gets Crushed by Maggie Horne (Hazel Hill Is Gonna Win This One), a queer coming-of-age story about a tween girl who tries to teach herself how to have a crush on a boy in order to fit in with her friends—only to realize she might be looking in the wrong places, for publication in winter 2024. Claire Friedman at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for U.S. and Canadian rights.
Amy Cloud at HMH has bought The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines by debut author Gabe Netz, in which Jerry and her trusty wheelchair move into a creepy motel at the edge of the woods where nothing is as it seems. When her mother disappears, it's up to Jerry to rescue her from the mysterious creatures lurking there. Publication is set for fall 2023; Mandy Hubbard at Emerald City Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Chris Harbo at Capstone has acquired What's Cooking, Arlo? by Kimberly Gee, an early reader graphic novel series that follows Arlo and his trusty stove, Cooky, as they whip up recipes for their friends that fill their tummies and lift their spirits. In the first book, Happy Pudding, Arlo is excited to invite his neighbors to a little get-together after a long storm. Publication of the four-book series is scheduled for fall 2023; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought world rights to Don't Worry, Wuddles, a picture book by Lita Judge. As a winter storm approaches, an overeager duckling helps all the animals in the barn prepare for the cold and snow by making knitwear for everyone with wool from Wuddles, the sheep. But duckling must come up with a solution when he uses a bit too much wool, leaving Wuddles exposed. Publication is planned for fall 2023; the author-illustrator represented herself.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has acquired world rights to Rain by Cynthia Rylant (l.), a picture book about the many wonders of a rainy day. Lisa Congdon will illustrate; the book is slated for spring 2023. Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle represented the illustrator.
Rosemary Brosnan and Cynthia Leitich Smith at Heartdrum have bought world rights to Stronger Than by Nikki Grimes (l.) and Choctaw Nation member Stacy Wells (c.), illustrated by E.B. Lewis (r.). This picture book follows a Black Choctaw boy who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and struggles with nightmares, but finds strength in the example and history of his ancestors. Publication is set for summer 2025; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown represented Grimes, Savannah Brooks at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented Wells, and Jeff Dwyer at Dwyer & O'Grady represented Lewis.
Karen Smith at Knopf has acquired world rights for Pepita Meets Bebita by Ruth Behar (l.) and her son, Gabriel Frye-Behar (c.). In this picture book, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga (r.), a family pup is introduced to a new baby, and must learn how to welcome the fussy little one into the home. Publication is scheduled for fall 2023; Alyssa Eisner Henkin at Birch Path Literary represented the authors, and Kate Kendrick at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree has bought world rights to I Am Salsa by Jackie Azúa Kramer (l.), illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. This picture book centers on Marisol, who is nervous about Salsa dancing at her family's party, until Papi helps her feel the rhythm by describing the different sounds, instruments, and influences in Salsa music. It's planned for fall 2024; Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Easton Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired world rights to Keep Dreaming, Black Child by Nyasha Williams (l.), illustrated by Sawyer Cloud. This inspirational picture book for BIPOC children is a reminder about the power of big dreams—for their future selves, their communities, and the larger world. Publication is slated for fall 2023; Lary Rosenblatt and Barbara Stewart at 22MediaWorks represented the author, and Amanda Hendon at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Our Class Is a Country by Andria Warmflash Rosenbaum (l.), illustrated by Dream Chen, about a diverse class as they welcome someone new (their substitute teacher) with kindness, acceptance, and cooperation. Publication is set for September 2023; Jennifer Herrington at Harvey Klinger represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has acquired world rights to Geoduck Is Not a Duck by Candy Wellins (l.), illustrated by Ellie Peterson, a nonfiction picture book about the Pacific Northwest marine animal, the geoduck. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Adria Goetz at Martin Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Emily Kleinman at Mudpuppy has bought world rights to Let's Celebrate Juneteenth!, a board book by Tonya Abari (l.) about Juneteenth family and holiday traditions, illustrated by Tabitha Brown. Publication is slated for winter 2023; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Susan Van Metre at Walker Books US and Denise Johnstone-Burt at Walker Books UK have acquired world English rights for the LGBTQ+ YA novel Different for Boys by Patrick Ness (l.), illustrated by Tea Bendix. Ant Stevenson has many questions, like when did he stop being a virgin? Are there degrees of virginity? And is it different for boys? Especially for boys who like boys? Ant tries to figure out the answers to his questions as he balances his relationships with three very different boys. Different for Boys was first published in 2010 in the anthology Losing It and has been revised and updated. Simultaneous global publication is set for March 2023; Michelle Kass at Michelle Kass Associates represented the author, and Tine Nielsen at the Babel-Bridge Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Erika DiPasquale at HarperCollins has bought The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom, a body-positive coming-of-age YA novel pitched as Glee meets Once, and an untitled second YA novel from debut author Allison L. Bitz. When 16-year-old, pansexual, fat, musical theatre ingenue Bridget Bloom is challenged not to sing for an entire year by her Broadway-pipeline boarding school's dean, she must choose: find a new way to shine, or return to the stifling rural hometown where she's never belonged. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Natascha Morris at the Tobias Literary Agency sold world rights.
Emily Daluga at Amulet has acquired Sami Ellis's debut YA horror novel, Dead Girls Walking, about a serial killer's daughter determined to absolve him of her mother's murder. The only things keeping her from searching for clues in the woods where he used to hunt are her counselor duties at the queer all-girls sleepaway camp that's leasing the land—and the copycat killer stalking the girls. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Maeve MacLysaght at Copps Literary Services negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Alison Romig at Underlined has bought world rights to The Wicked Unseen by debut author Gigi Griffis. In 1996, 16-year-old Audre is having trouble fitting into her new town, where everyone seems to believe there's a Satanic cult in the woods. But when the pastor's daughter—Audre's crush—goes missing, she starts to wonder if the town's obsession with evil isn't covering up something far worse. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Veronica Park originated the deal, and the author is now represented by Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street has acquired When Ghosts Call Us Home by Katya de Becerra (What the Woods Keep), pitched as Night Film meets The Haunting of Hill House, in which Sophia Galich goes back to the haunted mansion in which she starred in her older sister's cult horror movie to find out what happened to her sister, who disappeared two years before, only to discover that all the ghosts of her past are real. Publication is set for 2023; Rena Rossner brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
IDW Publishing has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to A Fire Among Clouds, the first title in the Codex Black YA graphic novel series by Camilo Moncada Lozano. When 15-year-old Donají sets out from her home on the trail of her missing father, she finds herself up against thieves, political intrigue, monsters, and the will of the god; with the help of an unexpected friend in winged Mexica warrior Itzcacalotl, can Donají discover the truth? Publication is slated for spring 2023; the author was unagented.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams/Amulet has acquired ila Nguyen-Hayama's debut YA novel, Benten School of Esoterics. In this magical boarding school story set in Japan and drawing on Asian myths and folklore, an ordinary Tokyo girl discovers her powers and her best friend, a Korean fox spirit, battles prejudiced suspicions as they hunt the evil spirit attacking students. Publication is scheduled for 2024; Janine Le, while at Sheldon Fogelman Agency, along with Julia Byers, handled the deal.
Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road has bought world English rights to The School for Invisible Boys, the middle grade debut by Shaun David Hutchinson (Brave Face). When the normally unseen sixth grader Hector Griggs discovers he can turn invisible, he learns that he's not the only invisible boy at his school and there are worse things than bullies lurking the halls. In order to save his classmates and himself, he'll have to face a monster or risk disappearing forever. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maass Literary Agency did the two-book deal.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has acquired in an exclusive submission Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd by Lyla Lee (I'll Be the One; Mindy Kim). The debut middle grade, pitched as The Babysitters Club meets Front Desk, follows the story of a 12-year-old Korean American girl who aspires to escape her boring Texan suburban town and go to a prestigious summer art camp in the Northeast but can't afford it, so she starts her own tutoring business with friends to pay their way. Publication is set for spring 2024; Penny Moore at Aevitas Creative Management negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Erica Finkel at Abrams has bought, at auction, Robin Gow's Dear Mothman, a middle-grade verse novel about a trans boy's fascination turned companionship with the cryptid Mothman, a red-eyed, moth-like monster rumored to be sighted all over the U.S. wilderness, a creature he and his best friend Lewis had shared a love for. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Jordan Hamessley at New Leaf Literary and Media brokered the two-book deal for world English rights.
Patricia Ocampo at Kids Can Press has acquired Dragon vs. Unicorn by P.J. Hoover (Tut: My Immortal Life series), a "choose-your-own path" debut middle grade graphic novel emphasizing social and emotional learning, in which a rule-following dragon and a free-spirited unicorn have a relatable conflict. Readers can choose how the friends handle it and can then turn back and discover different outcomes based on alternate choices. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Jacqui Lipton at Raven Quill Literary Agency sold world rights.
Janine O'Malley at FSG has bought world rights to Lucky Dogs, written and illustrated by Joowon Oh (Our Favorite Day). Ruth can't have a dog now because she and her mother are soon moving, but before they leave they foster three very lucky dogs, including Cody, who is in a doggie wheelchair. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency did the deal for world rights.
Margaret Raymo at Little, Brown has acquired, in a preempt, world rights to The Helping Sweater by Rachel Más Davidson, a picture book about a girl and her amazing sweater that celebrates kindness and the power of small actions. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis negotiated the two-book deal.
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Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has won, at auction, Faith Capalia's debut picture book, Melvina Whitmoore: More or Less a Horror Story. In this spooky tale, an extremely fearful old woman named Melvina moves into a strange old house, only to find that everything is not as it first seemed. Publication is set for fall 2023; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.
Cecily Kaiser at Rise x Penguin Workshop has bought author-illustrator Christie Matheson's Mamas and Babies: True Love Stories from Nature, a collection of love stories about animal mothers and their babies, reflecting the deep connections and relationships animals possess. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Stacey Glick at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world rights.
Jennifer Greene while at Clarion acquired Baker Makers by Boxitects author-illustrator Kim Smith, in an exclusive submission. The STEAM-centered picture book features a boy determined to create the most astonishing and extraordinary cake in Bakers Lab—but when his perfect cake turns into a perfect disaster, he finds a way to embrace the unexpected. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Kelly Sonnack at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold U.S. rights.
Melia Parsloe at Page Street Kids has bought world rights to Walkies: A Dog's Tale by author-illustrator Estrela Lourenço, a wordless story in which an excited dog and its reluctant young owner embark on an outdoor adventure; Kayla Tostevin will edit. Publication is slated for spring 2024; James McGowan at BookEnds Literary brokered the deal.
Denene Millner at Simon & Schuster/Denene Miller Books has acquired world rights to When I See You by Brynne Barnes (l.) (Books Do Not Have Wings), illustrated by Brianna McCarthy. Written in verse, this picture book celebration of the magic and wonder of childhood savors the bond—and dreams—shared between children and their parents, grandparents, and caregivers who love them. Publication is set for fall 2023; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary represented the author, and the artist represented herself.
Katie Cunningham at Candlewick has bought world rights to How to Tantrum Like a Champion by Allan Wolf (l.), illustrated by Keisha Morris. This picture book introduces 10 steps children can take to comfort themselves while coexisting with challenging emotions triggered by sensory issues or everyday irrepressible feelings. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; the author represented himself, and Claire Easton Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world rights for The Gathering Table, the second picture book of a previously announced deal for Antwan Eady (l.) (Nigel and the Moon), illustrated by London Ladd. Inspired by a special table in the author's life, this story follows a family year-round as they celebrate special occasions around a table in their backyard where food and relationships connect and Gullah Geechee culture and traditions are shared. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought world rights to Palabras, a picture book by Melissa Seron Richardson (l.), illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda, about a young Chicana skateboarder trying to master a kick-flip while brainstorming words to describe herself for a homework assignment. Publication is slated for spring 2024; Amy Jameson at A+B Works represented the author, and Tina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree has acquired world rights to Mixed-Up Mooncakes by Christina Matula (l.) and Erica Lyons (c.), illustrated by Tracy Subisak (r.) (Jenny Mei Is Sad). In this biracial holiday story, a girl gets ready for both Sukkot and the Mid-Autumn Festival by baking a unique treat to celebrate her Jewish and Chinese heritage. Publication is set for fall 2024; Carrie Pestritto at the Laura Dail Literary Agency represented Matula, Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented Lyon, and Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency represented Subisak.
