Ann Marie Wong and Mark Podesta at Henry Holt have acquired, in an exclusive submission, Trish Lundy's (The One That Got Away with Murder) next YA thriller, Premeditated. The novel follows Rose Cleary, a teen goth living in the Rust Belt, whose best friend is murdered on graduation night, a fate Rose herself only narrowly escapes. After the police and hospital begin to treat Rose as a suspect, she teams up with the boy who found her bleeding on the side of the road to solve the mystery of her friend's death, before the killer can silence her for good. Publication is set for fall 2026; Stephen Barbara and Kristin van Ogtrop at InkWell Management negotiated the six-figure deal for North American rights.
Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has bought the YA fantasy Immortal Game by Allison Saft, a modern, sapphic retelling of Irish mythology. Five years after 19-year-old chess grandmaster Shea Fury's sister was taken by the King of the Otherworld, she crosses into the Faerie world to bring her sister back by winning a once-in-a-century chess tournament, but she doesn't expect to fall for the Fae princess competing at the same time. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Jessica Mileo and Claire Friedman at InkWell Management sold North American rights in a two-book deal.
Jerome Pohlen at Interlude/Duet Books at Chicago Review Press has acquired A Different Kind of Enemy by Lee Wind, a YA novel that follows newlywed gay teens (and new spies) Nico and Sam, who have only six days before a possible alien invasion. Together they're going to have to save the world—and their marriage. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte has bought What Happened in the Woods, the sophomore novel by Lily Braun-Arnold (The Last Bookstore on Earth). When an illicit party in the woods takes a deadly turn, high school senior Egan finds herself fighting for survival amid a mysterious, sinister outbreak at the historically women's college campus where she was visiting her estranged best friend. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Lily Dolin at Sterling Lord Literistic brokered the deal for North American rights.
David Levithan at Scholastic has acquired Outside, a middle grade novel from three-time Newbery Honor author Jennifer L. Holm (Turtle in Paradise; Sunny Side Up). Twelve-year-old Razzi has always been told that Outside isn't safe and that the walls of the Refuge will protect her, but guided by a dog she has a strangely close connection with, she begins to wonder what she will find beyond those walls if she steps away from everything she's ever known. Publication is planned for fall 2025; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for North American rights.
Ben Rosenthal at Sourcebooks/Stonefruit Studio has bought, at auction, world English rights to picture book creator T.L. McBeth's graphic novel debut, Martian Academy. The comedic middle grade series follows Sadie Robbins, a perfect student who's been dreaming of attending the prestigious Martin Academy, until she accidentally adds an extra "a" in her application and gets accepted to a janky school on Mars instead. Publication of the first title is set for spring 2027; Stephen Barr at Writers House negotiated the three-book deal.
Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has acquired world rights to Chasing Eruptions: How Volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft Helped Save 60,000 Lives—But Lost Their Own by Curtis Manley (l.), illustrated by Sibert Honor artist Katherine Roy, a middle grade biography in verse of the iconic and iconoclastic duo, and their impact on the field of volcanology. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; Ammi-Joan Paquette represented the author while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has bought world rights to literacy ambassador Mychal Threets's (l.) Library Kids series of three Ready-to-Read early readers, illustrated by Neil Malcolm McKnight. The books are titled Grey and the Library Van, The Library Spider, and The Library Afro Revolution; each features a different library adventure inspired by the real library kids Mychal met in his time as a librarian. Publication for the first book is slated for January 2027; Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Cecily Kaiser at RISE x Penguin Workshop has acquired A Night for the Rice Carriers, a picture book by Carmen Rubin (l.) (The Gifted Guitar), illustrated by debut artist Matt Williams, along with an untitled second book. A girl prepares to step into the spotlight and share the story of her ancestors, the Maroons, real-life women who escaped slavery in the tropical Americas and surrounding islands, and the incredible secret that helped them survive. Publication is set for spring 2026, with the second book to follow in summer 2027; Sian-Ashleigh Edwards at William Morris Endeavor represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Esther Cajahuaringa at Knopf has bought world rights to AlaCATzam!, about a girl who solves problems by turning kids into cats, by Jessica Lynch-Jonely (l.), illustrated by Marissa Valdez. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Jennifer Rofé and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator, respectively.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press has acquired, at auction, world rights to My Buffalo Dream, the debut picture book from Métis-Cree poet, actor and theater creator PJ Prudat (l.), illustrated by Aly McKnight, in which a child's nighttime imaginings lead to a joyful road trip with a buffalo-speaking grandpa at the wheel and an ice-cream loving buffalo in the back, celebrating imagination and wonder and families of all kinds. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
John Mendelson at Nosy Crow has bought world rights to Armadillo Hello, a picture book by Zewlan Moor (l.), illustrated by Karen Obuhanych, which encourages children to explore and emulate animal greetings from around the world, empowering young readers to discover their own unique way of saying "hello!"—and to define personal boundaries. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Stacey Barney at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to We're Off to Carnaval by Pura Belpré Honor author Jasminne Mendez (l.), illustrated by Coretta Scott King Honor artist Raissa Figueroa. In this picture book, a girl and her parents enjoy the colorful characters, sights, and sounds of Carnaval in the Dominican Republic. Publication is set for spring 2027; Stefanie Sanchez von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the author, and Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Mary Colgan at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to If You Listen by Nancy Nevinskas (l.), illustrated by Jax Chow, a poetic picture book that invites readers to pay closer attention to the natural world, and to share their own voice in return. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Janine O'Malley at FSG has acquired world rights to On Thanksgiving Day by Maggie Rudd (l.), illustrated by Pura Belpré Honor artist Elisa Chavarri. The picture book is about a shift in plan for how to make the day festive when a power outage shuts down the oven and a yard party brings neighbors, surprises, and gratitude. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Carolrhoda has bought world rights to Take It Apart by the late Katey Howes (l.), illustrated by Elizabet Vuković. The rhyming picture book explores the many benefits that can come from breaking big things (or ideas) into smaller pieces—from finding out how an object works to learning to read to composting food scraps. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Essie White at Storm Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Patricia Ocampo at Kids Can Press has acquired the board book Cat Shapes, written and illustrated by Aidan Cassie, in which a series of very fluid cats explore the many shapes they can become in a child's home. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Wendi Gu, while at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, now at HG Literary, sold world rights.
Caitlin Tutterow at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired A Guide for the Afflicted by Tess Monet Brown, a darkly comedic contemporary YA fantasy pitched as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Wednesday, in which a demon-plagued teenager finds solace in an online community of similarly afflicted, only to have all the rules of her world upended when a smooth-talking and mischievous demon binds himself to her soul. Publication is set for spring 2027; Samantha Wekstein at Thompson Literary sold world rights.
Janine O'Malley at FSG has bought North American rights to Hafsah Faizal's Blade of Honey, first in a romantasy duology pitched as a twisted, cat-and-mouse The Bachelor with a dash of "Cinderella," in a seven-figure deal. The books follow a girl who cons her way into a coveted invitation to compete for the king's hand in marriage—but she doesn't want to be queen, she wants to drive a dagger through his heart. Josh Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the three-book deal, which includes a standalone novel, for publication beginning in winter 2027.
Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has acquired, at auction, Angelica Cheng’s debut The Fast Track, a YA rivals-to-lovers romance pitched as Check & Mate meets Drive to Survive, in which a 17-year-old rookie pursues her dream of becoming the first female F1 champion, and must face off paparazzi, prejudice, and an attraction to her annoyingly handsome teammate—who is her competitor on and off the track. Claire Friedman at InkWell Management did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Carolina Mancheno Ortiz at HarperCollins has bought The Great Disillusionment of Nick and Jay by Ryan Douglass (The Taking of Jake Livingston), a reimagining of The Great Gatsby. Set in 1920s Harlem Renaissance, Nick Carrington and Jay Gatsby's paths intertwine in both their passion for each other and anger at a society that is set to destroy them as they set out to execute a heist to rid Tom Buchanan of his ill-gotten wealth. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Blood Lick by Olivia A. Cole (Ariel Crashes a Train). Pitched for fans of Courtney Summers, this YA novel-in-verse centers on a lonely outcast in a small town following the trail of a girl who left her home near Blood Lick mountain and never came back. Publication is tentatively slated for fall 2026; Patrice Caldwell while at New Leaf Literary & Media and Trinica Sampson-Vera brokered the deal for North American rights; the author is now represented by Joanna Volpe and Trinica Sampson-Vera at New Leaf.
Jessi Smith at Aladdin has bought, in a two book-deal, The Beckett Effect by Nashae Jones, a YA romcom in which teenage filmmaker Wren plans a takedown of her school's notorious playboy Beckett Lane after he embarrasses her sister at a party, but ends up realizing the line between love and hate isn't as obvious as she thought. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn did the deal for North American rights.
Alex Wolfe at Penguin Workshop, and Gabriela Taboas Zayas while at Penguin Workshop, have acquired three books in the Queens of the Crypt series by Dom & Ink. In this YA horror graphic novel series, non-binary teen Barnaby Jones must team up with the fabulous undead Queens of the Crypt to embrace their role as a Crypt Keeper and protect the town of Widow's Creek from unspeakable horror. Book one is set for summer 2026, with books two and three to follow starting in spring 2028; Lauren Gardener and Callen Martin at Bell Lomax Moreton Agency sold world rights.
Brian Geffen at Henry Holt has bought Paige Hender's YA graphic novel Date Knight, featuring Myrtle, a teen girl who accidentally wishes her video game crush to life after finding out her ex cheated on her with her ex-BFF. Myrtle had enough on her plate already after landing in the same fencing class as both her ex and her ex-BFF, but babysitting a handsome knight from another world might just be the straw that brings the drama to a whole new level. Publication is scheduled for 2028; Linda Camacho at Gallt and Zacker Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Justin Krasner at Sourcebooks eXplore has acquired, in a two-book deal, paper engineer Matthew Reinhart's (l.) Lawson Hiztre, Stumbling Through Time, in collaboration with novelist Adam Rosenbaum, a highly illustrated middle grade nonfiction-inspired series starring Lawson Histree, a 12-year-old time traveler, who helps to unlock ancient history for young readers as he stumbles through the eras. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Emily van Beek and Estelle Laure at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Talia Benamy at Philomel has bought world rights to Emery Ever After and an untitled sequel by star of A Quiet Place and Deaf activist Millicent Simmonds, about an outgoing Deaf girl who tries out for her school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, finding empowerment and a sweet first love along the way. Publication is set for summer 2027 and summer 2028, respectively; Katherine Latshaw at Folio Literary Management represented the author.
Kristie Choi at Atheneum has acquired Remember Me, Daphne, an illustrated novel by Celia Krampien (The Bellwoods Game). When new neighbors Mac and her family move into the creepy house across the street, Flora finds her wish for a best-best friend has come true. But Flora soon discovers that Mac has secrets, and when a ghostly presence threatens to tear the girls apart, Flora must learn to be true to herself or lose Mac—and maybe even her own life. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House handled the deal for world English rights.
Bobbie Bensur at Paw Prints has bought world rights, in an exclusive submission, to The Big Five Save the Lions, the debut children's book by David Issacman (l.) from Emmy Award-winning docuseries Love on the Spectrum, illustrated by Bats Langley. This chapter book follows a group of neurodiverse 10-year-old friends as they find a magical backpack at the San Diego Zoo that transforms them into superheroes and propels them on an adventure to Africa, where they must thwart an evil villain before he rids the world of its animal population, including the protagonist—David's—beloved lions. Publication is slated for summer 2026; the author and illustrator were unagented.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has acquired two early readers by two-time Geisel Honor winner Jonathan Fenske, Brick or Stick and Sock Is Sick. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027 and fall 2027; Carrie Hannigan at HG Literary sold world rights.
Matt Phipps at Putnam has bought Geyser by Drew Beckmeyer (The First Week of School), a picture book about a geyser who feels shame about what makes him different from the landscape features around him, until he learns to embrace the parts of himself that give him purpose and make him unique. Publication is set for fall 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury has acquired Quiet, a picture book written and illustrated by Isabel Mendoza, about a child who longs for a quiet refuge from the everyday world's overwhelming sensory barrage, in a two-book deal. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary sold world rights.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has bought world rights to Plan Z by Ashley Franklin (l.), illustrated by X. Lan, a picture book about a girl who lives to plan, until her perfectly planned playdate falls to pieces and she discovers the true meaning of having fun. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Kathleen Rushall at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee Books has acquired world rights to The Legend of Ban-Dal by Jessica Yoon (l.), illustrated by Seo Kim, a modern Korean folktale about our connection to nature, and how one brave girl helped the Asian moon bear get its characteristic patch. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Andy Lopez Soberano at Scholastic has bought world rights to ¡Vroom, Vroom, Vamanos! From School Bus to Chicken Bus by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez (l.), illustrated by Teresa Martinez, a picture book about a retired American school bus that goes on a journey to finds new purpose—and a new community—in the Guatemalan mountains. Publications is set for spring 2027; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Carter Hasegawa while at Candlewick Press acquired world rights to Christal Presley's (l.) debut nonfiction picture book Hidden Women: How Louise Larned and Rose Stokes Became America's First Women Camouflage Artists, illustrated by Ashley Yazdani. This WWI story follows two of the first women who trained in military camouflage tactics and their extraordinary friendship. Hilary Van Dusen will edit; publication is planned for fall 2027. Katie Bircher at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and Jessica Saint Jean at Root Literary represented the illustrator.
Yael Berstein at Tapioca Stories has bought world rights to the picture book The Lighthouse Keeper by Eugenio Fernández Vázquez (l.), illustrated by Mariana Villanueva Segovia. A dedicated lighthouse keeper rescues the lost and shipwrecked from his tower in the middle of the sea, guided by a secret friend who appears in times of need. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; the author and illustrator were unagented.
