Susan Rich at Little, Brown has acquired, at auction, Ghost Guild, a supernatural middle grade series by Annie Barrows. The first book, The Lost Three, offers an account of the Maconochie siblings, whose transition into the afterlife has been badly mishandled by the Ghost Guild, and who now must find their own way in the world as ghosts. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Liza Dawson at Liza Dawson Associates negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Andrea Tompa at Candlewick has bought, in an exclusive submission, Take to the Sky by three-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat. Set in the world of A Wish in the Dark, the middle grade novel tells the story of three unlikely friends—a bird, a boy who used to be a bird, and a boy who may or may not be a prince—who traverse the mountains of northern Thailand to fulfill their destinies. Publication is set for spring 2027; Jodi Reamer at Writers House sold world English rights.
Cianna Sanford at Scholastic has acquired world rights to The Dragoneer by Sarah J. Mendonca. Pitched as How to Train Your Dragon meets Impossible Creatures, this illustrated middle grade novel is about 12-year-old dragon-phobe Lucas Firebrand who, after saving a young dragon from a poacher's trap, must embark on an epic journey in order to break their bond, all while being pursued by a group of dangerous dragon poachers. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary sold world rights.
Heidi Kilgras at Random House has bought world rights to Too Many Chickens by Lori Haskins Houran (l.) (Welcome to the Woofmore), illustrated by Alexandra Columbo, a Step into Reading book about chickens wreaking havoc in a children's fort. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Lotz at W.W. Norton has acquired world rights to an untitled debut picture book by Jason Carter, chairman of the Carter Center in Atlanta, and grandson of Jimmy Carter, the only centenarian U.S. president. Drawing upon decades of wisdom and humor exchanged in their close relationship, the book explores the lessons and wonders to be discovered in the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Rick Richter at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author.
Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA has bought the picture book And Then We Saw the Bag…, written and illustrated by Emma AdBåge (l.). In this humorous story about play, power dynamics, and relationships, two sisters come home to find that their parents have cleaned the house while they were away, including the girls' room, and have thrown away their treasured belongings. The book will be translated from the Swedish by Melissa Bowers; publication is set for fall 2026. Maria Åhlin at Rabén & Sjögren Agency did the deal for U.S. English rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Rooted in Hope: A True Story of Farming, Freedom, and Finding Home by Scott Riley (l.) (The Floating Field) with Muhidin Libah (c.), illustrated by Oboh Moses (r.) (Freedom Braids). This nonfiction picture book chronicles the true story of how Somali Bantu farmers rebuilt their lives after being uprooted by civil war and eventually founded a community farm in Maine. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the authors, and Sylvie Hamel at Anna Goodson Illustration Agency represented the illustrator.
Lisa Rosinsky at Barefoot Books has bought world rights to Alex and the Squid by Meghan Wilson Duff (l.) (How Are You, Verity?), illustrated by Nathalie Dieterlé (Jojo and the Food Fight!). With no money for the book fair, Alex sneaks a book about his favorite animals—cephalopods!—into his backpack, but then a giant squid visits his dreams to show him that he needs to make it right. Publication is planned for fall 2026; the author was unagented, and Ella Lupo at Purple Rain Illustrators represented the illustrator.
