Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Everything Is Poison by National Book Award longlisted author Joy McCullough (Blood Water Paint), in which Carmela Tofana uncovers the secrets of her mother's 17th-century Italian apothecary, which dispenses remedies for aches and pains, unwanted pregnancies, and, if the rumors are to be believed, abusive husbands. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Sarah Grill at Wednesday Books has bought What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould (The Dead and the Dark). Pitched as Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted, this YA novel follows a group of five troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program who find themselves stranded in a forest full of uncanny monsters eager to take their place. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Claire Friedman and Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management handled the deal for North American rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Young Readers has acquired two middle grade novels by Jessie Janowitz (The Doughnut Fix). In the first, All the Ways to Go, 12-year-old chess prodigy Milo Bloom struggles to admit he doesn't want to play anymore, ultimately finding the strength to be honest through his friendship with a girl incapable of telling lies and their shared discovery of a board game called Go. Publication is slated for fall 2024, and a second untitled book is planned for 2025; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown Ltd. brokered the deal for world English rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has won, at auction, author-illustrator Jayme Brodie's debut middle grade graphic novel, Stick Together. Twelve-year-old Izzy is excited to become fast friends with her new neighbor Brie and join her school's field hockey team. But her burgeoning friendship with (and crush on) Amira threatens to come between them; can Izzy reconcile their differences, and her feelings for Amira, before they tear the team and each other apart? Publication is set for spring 2026; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary did the deal for world rights.
Samia Fakih at First Second has bought Paco and Tiny, a middle grade graphic novel by Julio Anta (l.) and Jacoby Salcedo, about Paco, a young Cuban immigrant who just moved to the big city, and his overly large dog, Tiny. Publication is scheduled for 2026; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Leslie Tran at Simon & Schuster has bought world rights to Zoom! Zoom! by Lola Schaefer (l.), illustrated by Kirk Parrish, part of the Ready-to-Go! Ready-to-Read early readers. Blue is a car that wants to race, but he soon finds out that going fast, fast, fast and being first aren't the only things that are important. It's slated for summer 2024; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author, and Simon Bollinger at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to A City Full of Santas by Joanna Ho (l.) (Eyes That Kiss in the Corners), illustrated by Thai Phuong. An Asian girl and her mother go to the city to meet Santa, and at first she is thrilled to find Santas all over the city... but none of them seems to be quite right. How will she find the real Santa? Publication is set for fall 2024; Caryn Wiseman represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Winter Magic, a picture book that rejoices in the beauty of winter and all the activities associated with the season, by Robert Burleigh (l.), illustrated by Wendell Minor. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content negotiated the deal for the author and the illustrator.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Her Crown Shines, the debut picture book by Jessica Care Moore (l.), founder of Black Women Rock and award-winning poet. A bold, celebratory tribute to Black women who make historic leaps, like Ketanji Brown Jackson, this homage aims to inspire children to dream big and to always let their crowns shine. Dare Coulter (An American Story) will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2024. Regina Brooks at Serendipity Literary Agency represented the author, and Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the artist.
Grace Kendall at FSG has bought world rights to Stay Angry, Little Girl, illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan, with text inspired by the famous quote from Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time: " 'Stay angry, little Meg,' Mrs. Whatsit whispered. 'You will need all your anger now,' " which aims to empower girls to embrace their less popular but just as valid emotions. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Lisa Erbach Vance at Aaron Priest Literary Agency represented L'Engle's estate, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to When You Go to Dragon School by Chelsea M. Campbell (l.), illustrated by Charlene Chua. The human school may be full, but never fear—there's a spot open at the local dragon school. Classes in fire breathing, flying, and scale polishing await the reader (except, what do you mean humans can't fly?). Publication is slated for spring/summer 2025; Holly Root at Root Literary represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Shana Corey at Random House has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to We Are Joy by Chrystal D. Giles (l.) (Not an Easy Win), illustrated by Kitt Thomas (Stacey's Extraordinary Words), a picture book celebration of and a love letter to the strength and power of Black families, Black communities, and Black joy. Publication is set for spring 2026; Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the artist.
Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has acquired world rights to Pedal Pusher by Mary Boone (l.), illustrated by Lisa Anchin. This picture book tells the story of Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, also known as Annie Londonderry, a Latvian immigrant to the U.S. who became the first woman to bicycle around the world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Stacey Kondla at the Rights Factory represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Leonard Marcus while at Astra Books for Young Readers has bought world rights to Orson by Laura Gehl (l.) (Donut), illustrated by Stephanie Roth Sisson (Star Stuff); Suzy Krogulski will edit. It's a picture book love letter to libraries about a boy named Orson who takes matters into his own hands when the library gets too noisy and discovers the value of letting a little noise into our lives. A spring 2025 publication is planned; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary Studio represented the author, and Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Jill Davis at Hippo Park has acquired at auction I Think I Am… Meep Meep by Angel Tate, a debut picture book that introduces Milla Meeply, a girl who loves science and who is sure she can prove that she is a robot. It is part of a three-book fiction series, with initial publication slated for spring 2024, and two additional books in spring 2025 and 2026; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary sold world rights
Suzy Krogulski at Astra Books for Young Readers has bought world rights to DK Ryland's The Dangerous Alphabet Book. This fourth-wall breaking picture book features an anxious avocado trying to keep an alphabet of fruit from becoming an alphabet of dangerous, scary creatures, despite the author's best intentions. Publication is set for fall 2025; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Unique Like You, a debut picture book by Allison Rozo (l.) and Rafael Rozo (c.), illustrated by Angie Alape Pérez (r.). In Bogotá, Colombia, Lina helps her mamá collect recyclable treasure; a wall of graffiti with the words Único Como Tú sends her on a quest to discover treasure in everyone. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Elisa Houot at the Seymour Agency represented the authors, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Melissa Kantor's contemporary YA novel, Biology Lessons. Grace, a high school senior in Kaplan, Texas, dreams of college in New York City. When she accidentally gets pregnant, she and her best friend discover what it means to need an abortion in a post-Dobbs world, in this love letter to complicated hometowns, female friendship, and the right to choose. Publication is planned for winter 2025; Rebecca Friedman at Rebecca Friedman Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Elizabeth Agyemang at HarperTeen has won, at auction, Sarah Raughley's YA historical thriller The Queen's Spade, in a two-book deal. Inspired by the true story of Queen Victoria's African goddaughter Sara Bonetta Forbes, the novel follows Sara, once a princess of the Egbado Clan, in her quest to achieve one thing above all else: revenge against the British Crown for stealing her dignity and transforming her into royal property, pitched as a mix of Bridgerton and The Count of Monte Cristo. Publication is slated for winter 2025; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency sold world rights excluding U.K.
Ruta Rimas at Razorbill has bought Elizabeth Agyemang's How to Be a Heroine, a middle-grade graphic novel pitched as Jumanji with a Dungeons and Dragons twist. Twelve-year-old Galexie "Lexie" and her friends have to try to survive the worst of middle school using a guide from their favorite role-playing game—only for the game to come alive and wreak havoc on them and their school. Publication is scheduled for spring 2025; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media handled the deal for world English rights.
David Linker at HarperCollins has acquired Weirdly Walter, a middle-grade novel by Julia Walton (Words on Bathroom Walls; On the Subject of Unmentionable Things). Walter Ellis is a fifth grader and a veritable whiz-kid for imitating voices, but when he is sent to live with his grandfather while his father is in rehab, he has to come to terms with the fact that sometimes our heroes aren't perfect. Publication is set for fall 2024; Jodi Reamer at Writers House brokered the deal for North American rights.
Susan Van Metre at Walker Books US has bought, at auction, world English rights to The Library Is Open by drag superstar and RuPaul's Drag Race alum Kim Chi (l.) and Stephan Lee (K-Pop Confidential). The middle-grade novel tells the story of a queer Korean American's plight to save his beloved local library after learning it is set to be demolished to make room for a swanky new mall. David Purse at Inked Entertainment did the six-figure, two-book deal, with publication planned for 2025; Voss Management represented Kim Chi, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented Lee.
Kira Lynn at Kane Miller has acquired four books in a new full-color illustrated middle grade series called Adventuremice by Philip Reeve (l.), illus. by Sarah McIntyre. Pedro is a tiny mouse looking for a big adventure, so he sets off in search of excitement, and becomes swept up in the escapades of the Adventuremice. The first two books will be published in January 2024, followed by two more in June 2024; Bronwen Bennie at David Fickling Books sold North American rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought world rights to Curveball, Pablo Cartaya's (l.) (The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora) graphic novel debut, illustrated by Miguel Díaz Rivas (FGTeeV Presents). The middle grade contemporary stars 12-year-old Elena Rueda, whose whole identity is baseball—until she embarks on a summer without it. Through a season without scoreboards Elena finds not just herself but also a new sense of belonging in friendship and family—and learns what it really means to play. Publication is slated for May 2024; Jessica Regel at Helm Literary represented the author, and Atlanta Japp at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired North American rights to Keeping Pace, a new middle grade novel by Laurie Morrison (Up for Air). Achievement-obsessed Grace agrees to run a half-marathon with her childhood friend-turned-academic-nemesis, Jonah, during the summer after eighth grade so that she can beat him once and for all on race day. But as their training progresses, Grace has to rethink what it really means to win and what she and Jonah really mean to each other. Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary did the one-book deal while at Pippin Properties, for publication in April 2024.
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has bought Adam Borba's third middle grade novel, This Again?, about a kid trying to avoid the worst day ever with help from his future self, all while navigating the hazards of both time travel and middle school. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Janine Kamouh at William Morris Endeavor brokered the deal for North American rights.
Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Young Readers has acquired The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie (It Found Us). In this middle grade escape room adventure, a 12-year-old mathematician and her best friends team up to find a hidden treasure in an abandoned 1950s funhouse before her family loses their home. Publication is set for spring 2024; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kate Prosswimmer at McElderry Books has bought world rights for Grown with Love, a picture book by author-illustrator Valeria Wicker (The Ugly Doodles), in which a boy who grafts magical plants must find a botanical solution to help his lonely elderly neighbor who can't seem to grow anything. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Adria Goetz did the deal while at P.S. Literary Agency.
Farrin Jacobs while at Little, Brown acquired world rights to My Brown Boy, a picture book by poet Leslé Honoré (l.), illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo (I Am Enough), celebrating the creativity, brilliance, courage, and power of brown boys to achieve their dreams; Deirdre Jones will edit. Publication is tentatively slated for fall 2025; Johanna V. Castillo at Writers House represented the author, and Patricia Bobo represented the artist.
Sara Sargent at Random House has bought world rights to Raashi's Rakhis by Sheetal Sheth (l.) (the Always Anjali series), illustrated by Lucia Soto. The story sheds a contemporary light on the long-held traditions of South Asian festival Raksha Bandhan, as seen through the eyes of Raashi, a girl who questions the fairness of the traditions and inspires a new way of celebrating. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Jane Startz at Jane Startz Productions represented Sheth, and Soto represented herself.
Andrea Welch at Beach Lane has acquired world rights to Alpacas Here, Alpacas There by Carrie Tillotson (l.), illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. This nonfiction picture book spotlights alpacas living in North and South America and how, as different as their upbringings and surroundings may be, the result is the same—beautiful silky fleece that keeps people cozy and warm around the world. Publication is set for spring 2025; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds represented the author, and Claire Easton Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Karen Li at Groundwood Books has bought the picture book Loop de Loop by Andrea Curtis (l.), illustrated by Roozeboos; Samantha Dewaele will edit. The book encourages readers to imagine a new, nature-inspired circular approach to resources and the world around us. Publication is planned for fall 2024; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Davis at Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to Mary Oliver, Holding On to Wonder by Erin Frankel (A Plate of Hope), illustrated by Jasu Hu (All You Need). This nonfiction picture book about poet Mary Oliver celebrates her creative process, exploring how her sense of wonder about nature influenced her life and art. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Susan Cohen at Writers House represented the author, and the Marlena Agency represented the illustrator.
Maria Dismondy at Cardinal Rule Press has bought North American rights to The Heavy Bag by Sarah Surgey (l.), illustrated by Larisa Ivankovic. After her grandfather dies, a girl learns to grieve by letting others relieve her of her emotional freight. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has acquired world English rights to Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers by Steena Hernandez (l.), illustrated by Melissa Castillo. Lupita is a dedicated ballerina who wants to shine in her big recital, but her peachy pink ballet slippers don't match her brown skin tone. After discovering that the right pair doesn't exist, she takes messy measures to have her slippers ready for her performance. Publication is set for fall 2024; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art Agency represented the illustrator.
