David Levithan at Scholastic has acquired Radio Free Texas by Libba Bray, in an exclusive submission. The story follows a teen boy falling for his dream girl as they work at (and ultimately take over) an indie radio station. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media sold North American rights in a six-figure deal.
Kelsey Horton at Delacorte Press has bought, in a preempt, Girl with Wings by Julie Restivo, about a girl who sets out to solve a mysterious death of a classmate with the help of an enigmatic boy from school, only to discover a supernatural power inside her, and a connection to a dark world of winged horrors that may reveal the secret to her classmate's death. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Pete Harris and Hannah Fergesen at Temple Hill Publishing sold world rights.
Sara Schonfeld at HarperTeen has acquired Audrey Goldberg's debut YA novel, Personal Space Issues, a rom-com pitched as Roswell meets The Hating Game, with a nod to the keen reporting of Lois Lane, following a teen journalist who finds herself investigating her frustratingly hot academic rival and the secret he's hiding: that he's part extraterrestrial. Publication is set for winter 2027; Jessica Mileo at InkWell Management sold world English rights.
Alex Wolfe at Penguin Workshop has bought Hexes and Harvests by S. Isabelle, a cozy autumnal YA romance. When a big-city teen witch almost exposes her magic, she's forced to go live on her cousins' small town flower farm, where she must swallow her pride and accept help from her cute but infuriating rival to stay safe from witch hunters. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab has acquired Little Shop of Hoarders, a YA novel by Piet Marino, in which a teen embarks on a school project to film his family's misadventures in cleaning their house of hoarded junk, resulting in unintended (and often hilarious) consequences. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Michelle Witte at Mansion Street Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Ganna Lakenauth at Knopf has bought Lola and the Boy Everybody Loves by Stephany Leonardo. Fake Dates and Mooncakes meets Jane the Virgin in this cozy YA rom-com about a magic-less girl who feels invisible in her wind-hearing family, until the wind finally calls to her and pushes her into a fake dating relationship with the school's golden boy, forcing her to step into the spotlight and become the protagonist of her own story. Publication is set for fall 2027; Amy Bishop-Wycisk at Trellis Literary Management sold world rights.
Renee Kelly at Penguin Workshop has acquired, at auction, Harvard MFA graduate Avery Hart's debut Monster Claw Ranch, the first in a middle grade fantasy series, along with two subsequent books in the series. Mateo lives with his family on a remote Montana ranch where they rescue and rehabilitate monsters that have fallen from their dimensions to ours. After a shadow monster that brings terrifying visions to life escapes, Mateo must reveal his monstrous family secret to the girl next door to track it down before anyone in town gets hurt, or worse, before his parents ground him for life. Publication will begin in summer 2027; Faye Bender at the Book Group sold North American rights.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has bought, at auction, The Imagitorium, a middle-grade fantasy by Sarah Beth Durst (The Spellshop), about a girl and her imaginary friend who must save the marvelous Imagitorium, the world's only create-your-own-imaginary-friend factory. Publication is slated for March 2027; Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Michelle Lee at Dial has acquired Friends Anywhere by Emma Otheguy (Cousins in the Time of Magic), a middle grade contemporary novel about three friends in Queens, N.Y., who learn to navigate their friendship when one of them moves to the suburbs. They always said they would be friends forever, but can they be friends anywhere? Publication is planned for summer 2027; Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal for world rights.
Elizabeth Lee and Celina Sun at Penguin Workshop have bought The Carlton Girls: Casey and the Cruel Thief, first in a four-book cozy middle grade mystery series by Julie Abe, which follows four girls who solve mysteries from their New York City high-rise. In book 1, Casey and her ex-best friends must find a thief and kidnapper who is terrorizing their Upper West Side apartment building. Publication for books 1 and 2 are set for spring 2027; book 3 will follow in summer 2027, and book 4 in spring 2028. Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic handled the deal for world rights.
Chris Staros at Top Shelf has acquired Paper Box Dinos by Amanda Shae, known online as @StraBeriWaffle, a debut early middle graphic novel about five lovable dinosaur siblings who are determined to complete a successful mission through "outer space." A publication date has not been scheduled; Abigail Frank at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates/GreenburgerKids negotiated the deal for world rights.
Katie Carella at Scholastic Acorn has bought world rights to Pine School Pals by Laine Falk (l.), illustrated by Shannon Wright, a three-book graphic early reader series expanded from the popular comic series in Scholastic's Storyworks 2 Magazine, which follows a lively class of second graders who find themselves in the middle of common classroom dramas, but always find a way to work things out. Publication will begin in fall 2026; Emma Patterson at Brandt & Hochman represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
David Levithan at Scholastic Press has acquired Robot Finds His Maker by the late James Proimos (l.), illustrated by Andy Snair, in which Robot takes a journey to the place where he was made, along the way making three friends and discovering his purpose. It's slated for summer 2027; Rosemary Stimola and Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio represented the author and illustrator for USCOM open market rights.
Alexandra Cooper at Quill Tree has bought, in an exclusive submission, We Are the Light: A Story of Diwali by Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca (l.), illustrated by Sayan Mukherjee. The book, a tribute to Diwali, takes readers through the preparations for the festival of lights and celebrates the holiday's meaning. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Paula Wiseman, while at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books, acquired world rights to Growing Peace by Shelley Moore Thomas (l.), illustrated by Raul Colón. The meditative picture book showcases ways readers can make peace bloom in their own lives and in their communities. It will be published as Simon & Schuster/A Paula Wiseman Book; publication is set for summer 2027. Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency represented the author, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the illustrator.
Lily Rosen Marvin at Abrams has bought, at auction, Fran and Gran (and Mrs. Minnie Van Marzipan) by author-illustrator Madeline Valentine, in a two-book deal. Gran receives a mysterious invitation from neighborhood newcomer Mrs. Minnie Van Marzipan (in suspiciously familiar handwriting); luckily, her granddaughter Fran knows exactly how to help her grandmother prepare—with extravagant outfits and outlandish face paint—for a party whose hostess may be a figment of Fran's imagination. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027 and fall 2028, respectively; Rebecca Sherman at Writers House sold world rights.
Courtney Code at Abrams has acquired, at auction, Eleanor Davis's picture book debut, A Very Good Parade. In this celebration of inclusivity and kindness, an unabashedly fierce and independent girl invites other kids in her neighborhood to put on an impromptu parade. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Saving Squirrel: A Manatee Rescue Story by Melissa Trempe (Ladybug Launch), illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. This nonfiction picture book tells the story of Squirrel, the smallest manatee ever rescued in Florida, and her special bond with foster mother Stubby prior to being released back into the wild. Publication is set for summer 2028; Amy Nielsen at the Purcell Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Eileen Robinson while at Charlesbridge acquired world rights to Home Is Waiting to Be Found by Tina Athaide (l.), and Diane Earley has acquired world rights for illustration by Vũ Thủy Ngọc Hà. This picture book follows a child's migration experience as she continues to look for a place in the new city that feels like home. Natalia Vázquez Torres will edit; publication is planned for fall 2027. Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Literary Agency represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to Dinner at Eight: Two Friends + One Fancy Dinner = National Outrage by Rita Lorraine Hubbard (l.) (The Oldest Student), illustrated by E.B. Lewis, a nonfiction picture book about the Booker T. Washington and Theodore Roosevelt dinner that sparked national debate and controversy. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Jeff Dwyer at Dwyer & O'Grady represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world rights to The Littlest Baker by Sarah Lynne John (l.), illustrated by Bethan Welby, a STEAM picture book about a father and daughter sharing the middle-of-the-night magic of making bread in a professional bakery. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Georgia Tournay-Godfrey at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Angela Quezada Padron at Dream Jar Books has bought world rights to Henry Waddleson's Field of Dreams by debut author Norma Davids (l.) and Stacy B. Davids (c.) (Annie's Plaid Shirt; Simon the Hugger), illustrated by John Steven Gurney (r.) (A to Z Mysteries; Bailey School Kids), a picture book about a duck born with one wing who overcomes self-doubt to fulfill his dream of playing baseball like his hero, Quackie Robinson. Publication is planned for spring 2027; the authors and illustrator represented themselves.
