Caitlyn Averett while at Little, Brown preempted world rights to Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley (r.) and Austin Siegemund-Broka, in a two-book deal. In the book, pitched as The Inheritance Games meets Ocean's 11, a teen plots revenge against her father after she's cheated out of her rightful inheritance by staging the perfect heist—in the midst of his latest wedding; Samantha Gentry will edit. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maass Literary Agency represented the authors.
Steve Geck at Sourcebooks Fire has acquired Ravena Guron's bestselling U.K. YA thriller This Book Kills, which follows scholarship student Jess Choudhary who gets caught up in a murder investigation after the killer uses her short story for inspiration. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Alice Sutherland-Hawes at ASH Literary negotiated the two-book, six-figure deal for North American rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has bought Mars Lauderbaugh's debut YA graphic novel, Hollow Magic, in which a 17-year-old witch, searching for ways to understand her magic, meets an intriguing knight full of secrets, and, with their help, must find a way to lift the curse from an ancient castle or lose the chance to learn the truth about her lineage forever. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Karen Chaplin at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired at auction Laura Creedle's (The Love Letters of Abelard & Lily) YA horror novel The Deep Well. Twelve years after being the only survivor of a massacre at the bottom of a borehole, April is being trailed by urban legend cultists who believe that on her 17th birthday, she will open a portal to hell and usher in the apocalypse. As April and her friends search for the truth of what happened on that fateful day, the clock is ticking down toward her birthday and the cultists are not willing to forego a sacrifice. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Kelly Delaney while at Knopf bought Riot Act by Sarah Lariviere (Time Travel for Love and Profit; The Bad Kid), a YA alternate history duology set in 1991, where America is ruled by an authoritarian regime. The first novel is narrated from the afterlife by Maximus Bowl, who was murdered by the police state, and tells the story of his living friends, punk-rock theater kids forced to choose between acting as outlaws to produce meaningful art, or silencing their voices and doing as they're told. Erin Clarke will edit; publication is planned for summer 2024. Susan Hawk at Upstart Crow Literary handled the two-book deal for North American rights.
Chris Cerasi at Oni Press has acquired world rights to the graphic novel Hey, Mary by Andrew Wheeler (l.), illustrated by Rye Hickman. In this YA coming-of-age romance about growing up Catholic and gay, 16-year-old Mark develops a crush on a guy at school and starts to question if he can reconcile his sexuality and his faith. Through conversations with his crush, his priest, and a friendly drag queen, along with imagined encounters with famous figures from history and scripture, Mark comes to a new understanding about his identity. Grace Scheipeter will edit; publication is set for fall 2025. Caitlin DiMotta at CDAS represented the author, and Dara Hyde at Hill Nadell Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristin Gilson at Aladdin has bought Gayle Forman's Not Nothing, pitched as The Princess Bride meets The Book Thief. After doing a "very bad" thing, an angry boy named Alex is forced to spend the summer volunteering at an old folks' home, where he meets 107-year-old Josey, who is waiting to die. When Josey begins to tell Alex his story about falling in love in pre-war Poland with a resentful young woman turned heroine, Alex must come to terms with what he has done and learn what it means to rise to the occasion of one's life. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary sold North American rights.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired Sarah Glenn Marsh's The Beginner's Field Guide to Fairies, a middle grade illustrated compendium of fairies that includes their history and mythology, how and where to discover these magical creatures, and interactive quizzes and crafts. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold world rights.
Michael Green at Marble Press has bought world rights to the first five Penguin & Panda graphic novels for young readers by Brenda Maier (l.) (The Little Red Fort), illustrated by Fanni Mezes. Penguin and Panda are the best of friends, experiencing the world through their contrasting perspectives yet always with humor, generosity of spirit, and even a smidgen of philosophy. Publication of the first two titles is planned for spring 2024; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Elizabeth Lazowski at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Lost Words by Leila Boukarim (l.), illustrated by Sona Avedikian. Inspired by the true story of the author's grandfather-in-law, the picture book follows an Armenian boy as he flees the Armenian Genocide, from the day he sets out on his journey through the desert until he finally finds the courage to share his story. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Hannah VanVels Ausbury at the Belcastro Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Christine Collins at Disney-Hyperion has bought, in a two-book deal, world rights to Sophia Lee Can Fly by Marie Tang (l.), illustrated by Lenny Wen. When Sophia’s family finally agrees to take her trapezing, she has one chance to take the leap and prove that the sky's the limit, as long as you try. Publication is set for spring 2025; Marisa Cleveland at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond Books has acquired world English rights to Fish Friends Forever, a diary-style picture book centering on a child's deep love for, and loss of, her pet fish, by debut author Kerry Ferguson (l.), illustrated by Aliaa Betawi. Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author and illustrator, for publication in summer 2025.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to the picture book My Luck Charm, about a child's discovery of her connection with nature that allows her to navigate her feelings and beliefs, written by Sheri Mabry (l.) and illustrated by Tiffany Chen. Publication is slated for spring 2024; the author represented herself, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to three board books celebrating children's powerful bodies, by Ammi-Joan Paquette (l.), illustrated by Sabrena Khadija, starting with My Hands Can in summer 2024. Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Aubrey Halloran at the Jacky Winter Group represented the illustrator.
Alyssa Miele at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired world English rights to debut author Ambika Vohra's The Sticky Note Manifesto of Aisha Agarwal, a contemporary rom-com pitched as Never Have I Ever meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before. When a college essay asks play-by-the-rules high school senior Aisha to detail what she's done to get out of her comfort zone, she enlists the help of intriguing new friend Quentin to create (and chaotically tackle) a wall of sticky notes containing daring, boundary-pushing to-dos. Publication is set for summer 2024; Lola Bellier and Alex Rice at CAA brokered the two-book deal.
Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low/Tu Books has bought children's literature professor and The Dark Fantastic author Ebony Elizabeth Thomas's debut YA fantasy novel, Shifter and Dreamer. A finalist in Lee & Low's New Visions Award writing contest, this Black American urban fairy tale, inspired by Virginia Hamilton's The People Could Fly, Motown, and hip hop, follows two Detroit teens from different worlds who learn that they are the inheritors of a magical legacy that predates the Middle Passage. Publication is slated for 2025; Tanya McKinnon at McKinnon Literary did the deal for world rights.
Polo Orozco at Putnam has acquired On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino (Give Me a Sign). In this contemporary YA romance, after the deaf institute she attends is shut down, Ellie must start senior year at a new school where she meets and falls for Jackson, who is going through a disability diagnosis of his own. Publication is scheduled for summer 2024; Kari Sutherland at KT Literary negotiated did the deal for world English rights.
Alessandra Balzer at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought, on exclusive submission, world English rights to Camp Sylvania 2: Moon Madness, the sequel to Julie Murphy's (l.) Camp Sylvania, this time featuring a dual POV with co-author Crystal Maldonado. Maggie and Nora's return to the all-new and "vampire-free" Camp Sylvania goes from fun to fearsome when a camper goes missing and a wolf begins stalking the camp at night, pushing the besties' friendship to its limit. Publication is planned for summer 2024; John Cusick at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented Murphy, and Tamar Rydzinski at Context Literary Agency represented Maldonado.
Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster has acquired Just Try It: A Phil & Lil Book, the debut picture book from Netflix star and bestselling author Phil Rosenthal (l.) and his daughter Lily Rosenthal (c.), illustrated by Luke Flowers (r.), featuring a food-loving father who encourages his picky eater daughter to try something new. Publication is set for February 2024; Penny Hunter represented Phil Rosenthal, Janine Kamouh at WME represented Lily Rosenthal, and Luke Flowers represented himself.
Sylvie Frank at Disney Hyperion has bought world rights to Lilibet Makes a Friend by Kersten Hamilton (l.), illustrated by Shanda McCloskey, in which Lilibet sets out to make a friend—as in, literally build one—but when a boy named Peanut decides to help her whether she likes it or not, she learns that friendship can come from where you least expect it. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Sue Tarsky at Albert Whitman has acquired world rights to Purple Up! by Sarah Scheerger (l.), illustrated by Leah Giles, a book inspired by the real-life "Purple Up! Day" held on April 15 in celebration of U.S. military kids around the world. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; Deborah Warren at East West Literary Agency represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to ¡Viva Valenzuela!, a nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso (l.) about Mexican pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela's historic 1981 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the phenomenon that was Fernandomania. Three-time Pura Belpré Honor recipient John Parra will illustrate. Publication is set for spring 2026; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Kelsey Skea at Amazon/Two Lions has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Ninja Sloth by Lindsay Ward, a picture book about a sloth who imagines he's a ninja to help him be brave on his first day of school. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold world rights.
