Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has won, at auction, North American rights to Ramin Abbas Has Major Questions by Ahmad Saber, a debut YA novel about a devout Muslim teen forced to join the school soccer team for PE credits to graduate, while struggling with a secret crush on the team's handsome captain in the world of a deeply religious school, facing the choice to speak his truth or lose himself. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Daniel Lazar at Writers House brokered the two-book deal.
Samia Garcia-Fakih at First Second has acquired, at auction, world rights, excluding Canadian English and French, to Kim Smith's debut author-illustrated middle grade graphic novel Along the Coast. Pitched as a cross between Guts and Be Prepared, the graphic novel follows Eddie, a girl with anxiety and emetophobia, as she braves the wilderness, faces her fears, and makes new friends on a 10-day, 57-mile school backpacking trip. Publication is set for spring 2027; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal.
Megan Peace at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in a two-book deal, Undercover Pup by Maria Scrivan, a punny, dog-filled middle-grade graphic novel about secret agent Up and her sidekick-in-training. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Emily van Beek and Estelle Laure at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management sold world rights.
Gianna Lakenauth at Knopf has acquired Braid by Braid by Shilpa Kamat, a middle grade novel-in-verse about an Indian American girl with selective mutism whose braiding fixation helps her cope with bullying and explore her repressed feelings about her ex-best friend. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Connor Eck at the Eck Agency sold world English rights.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has bought Here Lies a Ghost by Shakirah Bourne, a middle grade novel in which two ex-best friends—new students at a prestigious school in Barbados—become trapped in a graveyard with a group of bullies and an angry ghost. To escape, they must put aside their differences and solve a 200-year-old mystery surrounding the crypt of a colonial slave owner. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Deirdre Jones and Jessica Levine at Little, Brown have acquired, in an exclusive submission, I Am Human by Laura G. Lee (Soy Sauce), a picture book about a boy who tries to explain to his new AI bot what makes a person a person, and what unites us all as humans. Publication is set for fall 2026; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Melissa Manlove at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has bought world rights to Blanket's Lewis by Geisel Medalist and National Book Award nominee Laurel Snyder (l.), illustrated by Caldecott Honoree and Eisner winner Vera Brosgol. A twist on stories about security objects, this picture book follows a blanket who is experiencing separation anxiety while his boy is away. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the author, and Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary represented the artist.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has acquired world rights to Picking Limu with Tūtū by Hawaiian Samoan author Kealani Netane (l.), illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats Award winner Sarah Gonzales, a story inspired by the author's grandmother and her memories picking seaweed on O‘ahu, and the tradition of conscious give and take with the ocean with the message that as we care for our environment it will continue to care for us. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Ellen Goff at HG Literary represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Jessica Echeverria at Lee & Low Books has bought world rights to The Things We Hold by New Voices winner Vanessa Lewis-Porter (l.), illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright, a picture book that addresses homelessness in the U.S. through the story of a girl whose resourcefulness and confidence help her meet everyday challenges. Publication is slated for fall 2026; the author was unagented, and Marietta B. Zacker and Sandra Proudman at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Andrea Posner-Sanchez at Golden Books has acquired world rights to I'm a Drone by Danna Smith (l.), illustrated by Brian Biggs, a look at ways drones are used to plant seeds, make maps, drop vital supplies, and create beautiful displays in the sky. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Ready to Ride by Diane Mittler (l.), illustrated by Andrea Altamirano, where an adventure-loving child with a mobility impairment feels stuck when she can't access all the places she wants to go. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has acquired The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls by Jessica Spotswood, a gothic YA mystery rooted in the violence done to young, unmarried, pregnant women in the early 20th century. When a wealthy hotelier buys out a property that used to house young unwed mothers, his eldest daughter and the daughter of the home's caretaker find themselves battling the lingering spirit of a teenager who didn't make it out alive. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
Clare Vaughn at HarperCollins has bought The Frost and the Crown by Catherine Bakewell (Flowerheart), a YA romantic fantasy in which the young firewitch Fiamma and the cursed prince Joseph embark on a dangerous journey to lift the deadly enchantment turning their kingdom to ice. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Mars Lauderbaugh's Brighter Stars, a YA graphic novel in which a rule-breaking flight academy cadet discovers the alien alliance they were raised to hate might not be the ones behind the terrorist attacks threatening their home planet—and anyone could be the true enemy, even their closest friend. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, Finding Myself with You by Victoria Grace Elliott (Please Be My Star). The YA graphic novel rom-com follows queer high school junior Alex down the rabbit hole as she exacts revenge against the boy who broke her heart and asks the question: did she really love him or did she want to be him? Publication is set for spring 2027; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams Fanfare has acquired Too Hot to Tango by E.E. Salo (l.) and Megan Kearney. Pitched as "Dirty Dancing but gay," the YA graphic novel follows Honey, sports camp counselor and soccer star, as she gets roped into being arts camp rival Teddi's competitive dance partner. The only problem is Honey can't dance, and she just may be falling head over heels for Teddi. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Susan Graham while at Einstein Literary Management handled the deal for world rights.
Ella Russell at OwlKids has bought world rights to the Weevil Geniuses graphic novel series by Deanna Kent (l.) and Neil Hooson, a STEAM-focused series for kids following the Weevil Geniuses, their snail pal Blaze, and a few nefarious enemies. With their wild imaginations, plus lots of wacky gadgets and gizmos, the Weevil Geniuses use the amazing powers of nature to get out of—and into—mischief. The first book, Crime Flies When You're Having Fun, is scheduled for spring 2028; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency did the three-book deal.
Brian Geffen at Henry Holt has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Shook, a contemporary novel-in-verse by Julian Randall, author of the Pilar Ramirez duology, for fans of The Crossover. Twelve-year-old Chicago prep basketball star Malik "Shake" Page dreams of making the varsity basketball team, but his plans are derailed when he fractures his ankle. As his world starts to fall apart, Shake strives to find a way back to feeling like himself and returning to the court. Publication is set for spring 2026; Patrice Caldwell at the Caldwell Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights while at New Leaf Literary & Media.
Alyson Heller at Aladdin has bought Nancy Tandon's next middle-grade novel, The Haunting of Walker Pond. Thirteen-year-old leader-in-training Frankie must figure out a decades-old mystery so that a restless spirit will find peace and stop haunting the summer camp where Frankie and best friend Parker work. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Karen Nagel at Simon Spotlight has acquired world rights to The Haunted Goldfish by Joe McGee, illustrated by Teo Skaffa, in which a boy discovers that his pet goldfish has come back from her watery grave, and two more Ready-to Read books, in a new series based on the Night Frights chapter books. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Millie von Platen at Astra Books for Young Readers has bought world rights to author-illustrator DK Ryland's Splish. Splish is a ready-for-whatever-the-day-brings kind of fish, but when the day brings one disaster after another, Splish shows what she's really made of. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Caitlin Tutterow at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to A Grand Day Out by author-illustrator Molly Ruttan, about a family making a day spent indoors with Grandma as exciting and full of adventure as a big day out in the world. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency did the deal for world rights.
Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has bought the picture book The House That Feels Like Me by trans TikTok star and The Voice contestant Sasha Allen (l.), based on his viral video, illustrated by trans artist Julian Plum, about a house that's dull and gray on the outside, but bright and colorful on the inside, and the neighborhood boy who helps the house's exterior match who it is inside. Publication is set for fall 2026; Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author and the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to the picture book Maya Breaks It Down by Carren Jao (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Aphelandra. At Maya's house, every weekend is a dance party, but learning her brother's six-step is tripping her up. Can Maya break down a big problem into smaller parts to finally get down on the dance floor? Publication is slated for summer 2027 as part of Steamworks; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has bought world rights to Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic by Rasha Hamid (l.), illustrated by Rachael Corcutt (c.) and Phillippa Corcutt (r.), a picture book that celebrates the joys and beauty of being autistic, while also exploring challenges and frustrations autistic children face when others do not understand them; Alison Behnke will edit. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; the author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrators.
