Calista Brill at First Second has acquired world rights to Unauthorized Bread: A Radicalized Graphic Novel by Cory Doctorow (l.) and adapted and illustrated by J.R. Doyle (c.) and Blue Delliquanti (r.). The YA graphic novel tells the story of Salima, a refugee whose subsidized housing is designed to stripmine the people who live there, from the toasters that only accept "authorized bread" to the refrigerators that only permit authorized groceries. Benjamin Wilgus will also edit; publication is set for 2027. Russell Galen at Scovil Galen Glosh represented Doctorow, George Rohac at Organized Havoc represented Doyle, and Jennifer Linnan at Linnan Literary Management represented Delliquanti.
Whitney Leopard at Ink Pop has bought Ceus by Peterson Ceus (l.) Carlos Moreno (c.), and Wakaiki (r.), autobiographical manga that follows famed rhythmic gymnast Peterson Ceus as he challenges gender norms to compete in the sport he loves. Jordan Blanco will edit; the first volume's publication is slated for fall 2027. Anton Heully at Mediatoon Foreign Rights sold world English rights.
Dana Chidiac while at Dial acquired world rights to Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram (l.) in his graphic novel debut, illustrated by debut illustrator Ria Martinez, a romantic tale of soul-binding love between a half-human, half-merfolk boy and the handsome, all-too-human stranger whose life is accidentally interwoven with his. Ellen Cormier will edit; publication is scheduled for spring 2027. Molly O'Neill represented the author, and the illustrator represented themself.
Bria Ragin at Delacorte Romance has bought, in an exclusive submission, Blur the Lines by Kanitha P., her debut YA Formula 1 romance in which the daughter of a team principal spends a gap year traveling with her father's F1 team and begins to see her childhood best friend—a hot rookie driver—in a whole new light. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Saskia Leach at Kate Nash Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has acquired world rights to novelist and journalist Amir Ahmadi Arian's YA debut, The Season of Wild Poppies. As Iraqi forces infiltrate his hometown of Ahvaz, 15-year-old Yashar makes a shocking discovery—he believes that his parents had a child before him who has never been discussed. Stranger yet, this older sibling could still be alive and the reason that the family hasn't fled the frontlines of a new war. Publication is set for spring 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal.
Tiara Kittrell at Putnam has bought, in an exclusive submission, Paper Ghosts by Samantha Chong (Prodigal Tiger), a Malaysian YA fantasy about a paper effigy maker who buries herself in her mundane work as a soul guide to cope with the aftermath of the ghost realm terrorizing her world a year prior, only to be yanked out of her comfort zone when she is attacked by a vengeful ghost, and must overcome her fear of the art of death rituals to prevent the rise of the undead. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Azantian Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Lydia Gregovic at Delacorte Press has acquired Cold Blood by Aashna Avachat, a whodunit mystery in which an aspiring journalist is recruited to solve the murder of a wealthy patriarch of a reclusive family—before it happens. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Laurel Symonds at KT Literary negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Meriam Metoui at Viking has bought Medusa by Jemely and Jeremy Jayme aka the Jayme Twins, a YA graphic novel retelling of the famous myth, where a blind Medusa must escape the Underworld to find the truth about her past, for fans of Taproot and Circe. Publication is planned for 2027; Claire Draper at Au Literary Management did the deal for world English rights.
Michelle Lee at Dial has acquired world English rights to Words Fail, a middle grade novel by Brittany J. Thurman, told through a series of journal entries, letters, and texts, in which 12-year-old Colton J. Bailey navigates a new hyperlexia diagnosis and uncovers his father's private struggles with literacy. Publication is set for spring 2027; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought Lenna & Caterpillar by Laura Knetzger, a middle grade graphic novel about a young priestess and her cat-insect hybrid companion who travel on a quest. Publication is scheduled for 2028; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Suzy Capozzi at Union Square Kids has acquired world rights to The Alpacas Are Aliens!, the first book in the Freaky Farm middle grade series by Dusti Bowling (l.) (Holding On for Dear Life) and Lindsay Currie (The Mystery of Locked Rooms). In this trilogy pitched for fans of The Last Kids on Earth, a group of quirky animals on an idyllic farm find their world turned upside down when they experience a spooky alien invasion. Publication will begin in 2028; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency brokered the six-figure deal.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick has bought Nina, the Inventor: Helping Chip Fly, the debut graphic novel by Melisa Fernández Nitsche. This young graphic novel with STEM themes features Nina, who's new in town and must use her invention skills to assist an injured bird named Chip and makes some new friends in the process. Publication is slated for 2028; Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency sold world rights.
Katie Carella at Scholastic Branches has acquired world rights to The Strange Stories of Sam Bunch by Jen MacGregor (l.), illustrated by Forrest Burdett, an illustrated early chapter book series about nine-year-old Sam Bunch and his new friend, Maxine, who bravely investigate odder than odd occurrences at their weird and wacky apartment complex. Publication will begin in 2027; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator in the four-book deal.
Maggie Rosenthal at Viking has bought world rights to Alpha and Elijah, a picture book by Alpha Nkuranga (l.) and Jordan Scott (c.), illustrated by Gracey Zhang (r.). Forced to flee their home in Rwanda, Alpha and her younger brother Elijah brave a long and arduous journey to safety, relying on creative distractions—and each other—to keep their spirits up. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Chris Casuccio and Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the authors, respectively, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Sydnee Monday at Kokila has acquired world rights to The Marvelous Magic of Ellen E. Armstrong by B. Sharise Moore (l.), illustrated by Charis Jackson Barrios, a picture book about the first Black woman magician in the world to run her own traveling show. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Laurie Mclean at Fuse Literary represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Jennifer Stokes at Owlkids has bought world rights to In Baba's Tiny Kitchen by Loretta Garbutt (l.), illustrated by Stacey Chomiak, a picture book about Baba's cozy kitchen, where Ukrainian borscht simmers on the stove and pierogies sizzle in butter—but rumbling tummies must wait until Dido comes in from doing farm chores. Publication is set for spring 2027; the author represented herself, and Claire Draper at Au Literary Management represented the illustrator.
Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has acquired The Bear on the Hill, a picture book by Abigail Rajunov, a holiday story in which a standoffish bear lives alone in luxury until a playful mouse makes him question his life choices. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Jody Mosley at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to author-illustrator Violet Tobacco's debut board book series, This Is to That, which invites young readers to make holiday comparisons with modern analogies, for publication in 2027 and 2028. Emily Fernandez at the Bright Agency did the two-book deal.
Lisa Rosinsky at Barefoot Books has acquired Barefoot Books Constellations: Stories in the Stars by Anne Jankeliowitch (l.), illustrated by Sarah Andreacchio, which explores the Greek myths behind 15 of the best-known constellations in this guidebook to stargazing. Erin Lueck will also edit; publication is planned for fall 2026. Alexandra Di Marco at La Martinière sold world English rights.
Rebekah Lovato Piatte at Collective Book Studio has bought One Pizza to Go!, a debut picture book by Lisa Rao (l.), illustrated by Carole Chevalier, which follows a cast of characters on a pizza-fueled adventure that celebrates sharing, community, and the simple magic of a favorite food. Publication is set for February 2027, timed for National Pizza Day on February 9; the author and illustrator were unagented.
Michele McAvoy at The Little Press has acquired world rights to My Dad Invented the Smile: The True Story Behind the Iconic Yellow Smiley Face by Sarah VanDam (l.), illustrated by Joe Romano, a picture book about Harvey Ball, the Massachusetts graphic designer who, in 1963, created the bright yellow smile that would eventually circle the globe. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
