Ben Rosenthal at Stonefruit Studio has acquired world rights to Alexandra Kyllingstad's American Nightmare, a debut YA horror novel pitched as The Breakfast Club meets Black Mirror, about a group of students who hack their school's new AI security system for a midnight prank—only to find themselves trapped inside by a killer who uses the technology against them, pitched for fans of Karen M. McManus and Grady Hendrix. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Melanie Figueroa at Root Literary negotiated the deal.
Mekisha Telfer at Roaring Brook has bought the originally self-published debut Her Name in the Sky by Kelly Quindlen (She Drives Me Crazy). When 17-year-old Hannah falls in love with her best friend, Baker, the two girls must decide if they will risk it all to be together—despite the ramifications from their small Louisiana community. Publication is set for winter 2026; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency did the deal for North American rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has acquired We're All Going to Die Tonight by Veronica Bane (Difficult Girls), a twisty mystery about seven teens who are forced to spend a stormy—and deadly—night together in a remote mansion. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab has bought Project Juni, a YA novel-in-verse by debut author Kaitlyn San Miguel. When the latest explosive fight with her boyfriend leaves Junilyn Legaspi shaken, she embarks on a dangerous solo rock climb to unpack her toxic relationship, her strained sisterhood, and the long-term impact of the Covid pandemic on her life. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Eric Smith at Neighborhood Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Calista Brill at First Second Books has acquired a revised, expanded, and colored edition of Tomboy, a YA graphic memoir by Liz Prince, and a sequel, Punk Rock Girl, in which Liz brings her signature art style and humor to explore gender identity, friendship values, and building self-esteem as a girl in the misogynist '90s underground punk scene. Ivan Taurisano will edit, and Alec Longstreth will color. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Gordon Warnock at Fuse Literary handled the deal for world rights.
Whitney Leopard at Random House Graphic has bought Brass & Sass by antlerella, a YA band-geek romance webtoon, for print as a graphic novel series. It may have been the music that attracted Camilla to her high school's band class, but it was love that made her stay, even if she doesn't have any musical talent. But what she lacks in ability, she makes up for in passion—especially when it comes to Victor, the handsome musician who's caught her eye. Jordan Blanco will also edit; the first volume is set for publication in spring 2027. Tina McIntyre at Webtoon Entertainment sold world rights.
Jennifer Klonsky and Simone Roberts-Payne have acquired, in an exclusive submission, 13 Little Love Stories, a YA anthology inspired by Taylor Swift songs, featuring tales of self-discovery, friendship, and true love from Elise Bryant, Jennifer Dugan, J. Elle, Jessica Goodman, Sloan Harlow, Crystal Maldonado, Krystal Marquis, Katharine McGee, Julie Murphy, Lynn Painter, Laura Sebastian, Sara Shepard, and Jesse Q. Sutanto. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Lanie Davis and Romy Golan at Alloy Entertainment did the deal for world rights.
Kelsey Murphy at Viking has bought Unicorn House and an untitled second book by Kelly Link (The Book of Love). Unicorn House is a middle grade fantasy about a girl who moves with her Hollywood family to a mysterious animal sanctuary in rural Massachusetts. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027 and summer 2028; Renée Zuckerbrot at Massie McQuilkin & Altman sold North American rights.
Erica Finkel at Amulet has acquired Lambda Literary Award winner Robin Gow's Bird Mouth, a middle grade novel-in-verse following Vesper, a non-binary middle schooler who has discovered that when they sing, birds fly out of their mouth. Navigating middle school and a choir trip to New York bring about a lot of changes for Vesper as they learn to accept themself and discover who their true friends are. Publication is tentatively slated for spring 2027; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has bought Antonio's Perfect Sunset by author-illustrator Dan Yaccarino. Antonio is a young artist struggling to paint the perfect sunset—but how can he, when it looks different every day? After many abandoned canvases, Antonio and his doggy sidekick pivot from perfectionism and embrace the beauty of the natural world. Publication is set for summer 2027; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has acquired, at auction. Medusa's Pet Rock and a second untitled mythology-based picture book by Steph Lau (The Abominable Snow Dancer). When it's Medusa's turn to take the class pet home, she tries to be careful, but inevitably, ZAP. Medusa's teacher won't give up, though, and she's sure that this time, she's found a class pet that even Medusa can enjoy. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Alexandra Levick at Writers House sold world rights.
Claire Tattersfield at Viking has bought, in an exclusive submission, Dave Szalay's debut author-illustrated picture book, Take Back My Yak, a Seussian tale about a boy who regrets buying his pet yak. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alessandra Balzer while at HarperCollins acquired world rights to The People Will Rise by Ibi Zoboi (l.) (The People Remember), illustrated by Haitian artist Chevelin Djasmy Pierre. This picture book chronicles the epic story of how Haiti heroically claimed its independence and became the first free Black republic. Luana Kay Horry will edit; Versify will publish in fall 2027. Tina Dubois while at ICM Partners represented the author, who is now represented by Georgia Bodnar at Noyan Literary, and the artist represented himself.
Sylvie Frank at Flamingo Books has bought Sam & Jakey by debut author Alice Bradley (l.), illustrated by Samantha Cotterill. When a cartwheel attempt goes wrong, chick brothers Sam and Jakey have to decide if they lie or come clean about their accident in this picture book about brotherly love. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the creators for world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world rights to Chrysanthemum's Glow by Livia Blackburne (l.), illustrated by Julia Kuo, the second picture book in a previously announced deal, a tall tale about the chrysanthemum's journey from China to America, and a mother and daughter's ode to hope in dark times. Publication is set for fall 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret represented the author, and Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to From Forest to Sea: A Dead Tree's Legacy by Maria Gianferrari (l.), illustrated by Jamie Green. This nonfiction picture book follows a tree's journey after death from forest floor to ocean floor, illuminating the ways it changes and helps its environment flourish all along the way. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Ammi-Joan Paquette while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Alice Jonaitis at Random House has acquired world rights to Two Chilly Mice by Lori Haskins Houran (l.) (Welcome to the Woofmore), illustrated by Stephanie Laberis, in which two mice escape the cold by hitching a ride with an unsuspecting traveler and spend a vacation in paradise, in a two-book deal. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Bria Ragin at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Duchess and the Blueberry Tea Cakes by married team Deya Muniz (l.) (The Princess & the Grilled Cheese Sandwich; Blades of Furry) and Emily Erdos (Blades of Furry). In this YA fairy tale romance graphic novel, Lady Brassica is ready for a marriage of convenience not only to unite the kingdoms of Fondue and Crucifer but to be free from her overbearing father—until she meets Lady Bleu and finds herself torn between the freedom she's always wanted and the adventurous girl she can't stop thinking about. Publication is set for summer 2028; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world English rights.
Michelle Frey at Knopf has bought, at auction, North American rights to Kathryn Purdie's YA romantasy duology, The Lovely Invisible, pitched as The Bachelorette meets ancient Greece, as well as a reimagining of the Greek myth Cupid & Psyche. The story follows a bold young woman forced to marry one of three celebrated suitors to be granted power to rule her kingdom, but begins falling for someone mysterious and invisible. Publication will begin in spring 2027; Josh Adams at Adams Literary handled the two-book deal.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Press has acquired Marina Versus the Mermaids by Anna Meriano (Love Sugar Magic), in which a Texas middle schooler who has always hated the water learns on her 13th birthday that her family is part of a secret community of merfolk, and sets out to fight against their expectations that she transform into something that feels all wrong; plus a second standalone middle grade novel. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027 and spring 2028; Patricia Nelson at Looking Glass Literary & Media sold world English rights while at Marsal Lyon Literary.
Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has bought, in a preempt, Strangeblood, a debut horror YA novel by alex terrell for fans of The Craft and Practical Magic. Set in a small town plagued with lore about the rumored witches who have lived there for centuries, Strangeblood follows a family of young Black women, imbued with powers, who will stop at nothing to find out what happened to their mother, who died under mysterious (and mystical) circumstances, even as they fight a mounting threat on their land. Publication is planned for 2027; Marin Takikawa at the Friedrich Agency sold North American rights.
Lydia Gregovic at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Lavender & Hemlock by Lili Wilkinson, a YA cozy portal fantasy in which a housemaid's seemingly simple life tending to an isolated seaside cottage is turned on its head when the arrival of a mysterious, wounded knight forces her to question the nature of her home—and how she got there—featuring a queer grumpy-sunshine romance and a darkly whimsical magical world. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for North American, open market rights.
Tamara Grasty at Page Street has bought All the Queens' Curses by Alyssa Hollingsworth, a YA fairy tale retelling in which a girl with a mysterious chronic illness is cursed to swap bodies with her royal stepsister. Together they travel to a neighboring kingdom to try to reverse the spell, and along the way meet a selfless prince under his own fairy curse. Publication is set for August 2026; Alexandra Devlin at Rights People on behalf of Amber Caraveo at Skylark Literary sold North American rights.
Kelsey Horton at Delacorte Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Capsized by Charlotte Lillie Balogh, about an elite all-girls rowing club as they navigate first loves, first heartbreaks, and the secrets lurking just beneath the surface. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Liesa Abrams and Emily Shapiro at Labyrinth Road have bought two titles in Nik Korpon (l.) and Jorge Enrique Paz's The Cat Prophecies series, their middle grade debut, in which Tito Rodríguez, a dorky, comic book-loving ñoño with Tourette's in Cali, Colombia, discovers that when cats are sleeping in our world, they're really training as warriors in a parallel dimension, and now the cats need his help to save both worlds from an army of specters that feed on negative emotions. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Stacia Decker at Dunow, Carlson & Lerner did the deal for world rights.
Alexa Pastor at Simon & Schuster has acquired Rachael Lippincott's The Half-Witch of Wildflower Lane, a cozy, witch-y story following the Hawthorne witches of Wildflower Lane. Youngest June has yet to discover her witchy abilities, but she's determined to find the right magic to cure her sick grandmother. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Bethany Vinhateiro at Clarion has bought world rights to Bump in the Night: Count Down to Halloween by Diane Landolf (l.), illustrated by Denis Zilber, a collection of 13 not-too-scary short stories including "Wrinkles," "Scare the Crow," and "The Vampire's Undoing." Each story is sealed with a sticker, to be opened one-per-day leading up to Halloween. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Jumble by New Yorker cartoonist Avi Steinberg (A Story No One Has Ever Heard Before). This humorous picture book, pitched as Blueberries for Sal in the city, is about what happens when a dogwalker leading a pack of frisky pups bumps into a teacher leading a group of energetic students, and a child and a dog accidentally swap places. Publication is set for fall 2026; Danielle Svetcov at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought Forrest Burdett's author-illustrator picture book debut Sherman's Magic Pants, about an oblivious frog named Sherman who experiences a series of seemingly fortunate events and decides it must be because his new pants are magic. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Alessandra Balzer at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has acquired the first two books in a new picture book series from the bestselling duo of author Jonathan Stutzman (l.) and illustrator Heather Fox. Mr. Stinky is an ordinary, lazy, little Frenchie who leads a secret double (or triple, or quadruple) life as your fairy dogmother, an Unidentified Farting Object, and other smelly alter-egos when his hoo-mins aren't at home. Book one is slated to publish in fall 2027; Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary & Media brokered the deal for world English rights.
Sylvie Frank at Flamingo Books has bought Eddie the Yeti, a picture book by Alice Bradley (l.), illustrated by Jay Fleck. When Sam's new pet keeps growing bigger and bigger, he begins to suspect he may not be a dog—but will anyone else believe him? Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the creators for world rights.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world rights to Rosie Floribunda and Best-Loved-Won't-Stop-Chicken-Gizzard Plant by Ruth Horowitz (l.), illustrated by Sarthak Sinha, a quirky picture book about a girl who learns about propagation from her neighbor and must figure out what to do when her collection of plants multiplies out of control. Publication is set for spring 2028; Linda Epstein at Emerald City Literary Agency represented the author, and Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins/Versify has bought world English rights to Sky Touchin', a picture book about a Black boy with soaring ambitions to become a pilot, by Van G. Garrett (l.) (Kicks), illustrated by Lorraine Nam (I'm So Glad You're Here). Publication is planned for winter 2028; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired world rights to Jodie Doesn't Love Dogs by Stephanie Seales (l.) (My Daddy Is a Cowboy), illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, a picture book about a girl who doesn't love dogs but may have a change of heart with the help of her dog-loving best friend's pup. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Reiko Davis at DeFiore and Company represented the author, and Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Rebecca Glaser at Amicus Ink has bought world rights to A River of Wind, a journey across the sky with geese, spiderlings, dandelion fluff, butterflies and other travelers that ride the river of wind to new places, by Ginny Neil (The Glorious Forest That Fire Built). Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Lisa Amstutz at Storm Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
