Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, at auction, Kate Williams's YA debut, The Babysitters Coven. Pitched as Adventures in Babysitting meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the book follows witchy teenage babysitters Esme Pearl and Cassandra Heaven as they protect the innocent and prevent evil from taking over their small Kansas town. The first book is set to publish in fall 2019; Kerry Sparks at Levine Greenberg Rostan negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights.
Kelsey Murphy at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought two novels from Geekerella and Heart of Iron author Ashley Poston. The first book, Soul of Stars, is a sequel to Heart of Iron, in which the crew of the Dossier embarks on a desperate last flight to save the kingdom and the ones they love from a darkness that threatens to consume their entire galaxy. Publication is planned for summer 2019, with a second, untitled YA fantasy to follow; Holly Root at Root Literary brokered the deal for North American rights.
Joanna Cárdenas at Penguin's new Kokila imprint has acquired world rights to Doodles from the Boogie Down, a middle grade graphic novel by debut author-illustrator Stephanie Rodriguez. The book, which is autobiographically inspired, follows a young Latina in the Bronx, who navigates friendships and a strict mother as she carves out a place for herself in the world as a budding artist. Publication is slated for spring 2020; Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the author.
Lynne Polvino at Clarion has acquired three books by Kate Milford, all set in the world of Greenglass House, as well as a fourth standalone novel. Bluecrowne: A Greenglass House Story, illustrated by Nicole Wong, arrives in fall 2018; an untitled book featuring Marzana, a character introduced in Ghosts of Greenglass House, illustrated by Jaime Zollars, follows in fall 2019; and The Raconteur's Commonplace Book, also illustrated by Wong, is scheduled for spring 2020. The standalone middle grade novel, Rialto, is scheduled for fall 2020; Barry Goldblatt at Barry Goldblatt Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alex Arnold at HarperCollins/Tegen has bought, in a five-house auction, North American rights to From the Desk of Zoe Washington, a middle grade contemporary debut by Janae Marks, along with a second, untitled novel. Unaware that her incarcerated father has been writing her letters every year on her birthday, Zoe Washington intercepts the mail upon turning 12. After beginning a secret correspondence with the help of her grandmother, Zoe realizes that not only is the man she's never met kind and caring, but he may be innocent of his crime. Publication is slated for winter 2020; Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group did the deal.
Kheryn Callender at Little, Brown has bought Jack Henseleit's debut novel, The Witching Hours: The Vampire Knife, first in a middle grade series. When siblings Anna and Max find a mysterious knife, they're dragged into a world of monsters and magic. After Max is kidnapped by a vampire, it's up to Anna and a new friend to save him. Publication is slated for fall 2018; a sequel, The Witching Hours: The Troll Heart, is set for spring 2019. Annabel Barker and Madeleine Manifold at Hardie Grant Egmont brokered the deal for North American rights.
Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired North American rights to four titles in J.H. Reynolds's Monsterstreet, a debut middle grade series with each title exploring a unique horror theme. In the first book, The Boy Who Cried Werewolf, 12-year-old Max Bloodnight, who was told that his father was killed by a legendary werewolf, works to learn the truth of his father's death and, in the process, learns something about himself. The series is slated to launch in summer 2019, with an untitled second book; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio did the deal.
Margaret Anastas at HarperCollins has bought Jennifer Li Shotz's new series, Scout, about a stray puppy with a troubled past who joins the National Guard. Publication for the first book is planned for spring 2018; Hayley Wagreich and Josh Bank at Alloy Entertainment handled the three-book deal for world English rights.
Charlie Ilgunas at Yellow Jacket has acquired Fiadhnait Moser's second middle grade novel, The Serendipity of Flightless Things. Pitched as a retelling of the Irish legend "The Children of Lir," the book features a 12-year-old Irish girl who is shipped to America after her grandmother's death to live with her long lost mother, where she finds that life seems disturbingly similar to one of her grandmother's stories. Publication is scheduled for summer 2019; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has bought North American rights to You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks by Evan Turk, a picture book about the wonder and awe of the U.S. national parks. The book represents regions across the entire nation, including Alaska and Hawai'i. Publication is planned for summer 2019; Brenda Bowen at Sanford J. Greenburger brokered the deal.
Stephanie Lurie at Disney-Hyperion has acquired Jenn Harney's author-illustrator debut, Underwear. The picture book features a young bear's shenanigans as he gets out of the bath and ready for bed. The book will pub in spring/summer 2019; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Emma Ledbetter at Atheneum has acquired, at auction, More Than Sunny, a debut picture book by Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker author-illustrator Shelley Johannes. The story centers around a brother and sister who brave the elements with a megawatt supply of invention, play, and vision. Publication is slated for spring 2020, with a second untitled book to follow; Stephen Barr at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights, excluding the U.K. and Australia.
Jen Besser at Macmillan has bought, for Roaring Brook Press, bestselling duo Holly M. McGhee and Pascal Lemaitre's Listen, which speaks to the connectedness of all living things and encourages readers to use both their senses and their heart to experience the world around them to the fullest. Publication is set for fall 2019; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties sold North American on behalf of both the author and the illustrator.
Sylvie Frank at S&S/Wiseman has bought world rights to a picture book by Tim McCanna (l.), illustrated by Richard Smythe. Tentatively titled Dinosaur Song, the book is a prehistoric, geological romp told in onomatopoeia. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristen Nobles at Page Street Kids has bought world rights to Monica Kulling's (l.) In the Pea Pickers Camp. The picture book provides a look at the family behind Dorothea Lange's famous "Migrant Mother" photograph. Sarah Dvojack will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2019. Karen Grenick at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker represented the illustrator.
Sylvan Creekmore at Wednesday Books has acquired, in a preempt, S. Gonzales's Only Mostly Devastated. Pitched as Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless, inspired by Grease, the book follows a boy trying to navigate a family crisis and a move to a new school who is quickly adopted by a new group of friends and comes face-to-face with his summer fling—only to discover that the perfect boy he remembers now won't even look at him. Publication is planned for spring/summer 2019; Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Kat Enright at Sky Pony has bought world rights to Jill MacKenzie's Breathe the Dragon. Talented artist and manga-obsessed 17-year-old Sadie struggles to heal physically and emotionally after a car accident, in which she was driving, that claimed the life of a teen motorcyclist and seriously injured her best friend. Publication is scheduled for spring 2019; the author is unagented.
Nancy Mercado at Scholastic has acquired The Lost Zombie on Earth, a new middle grade series by Tommy Greenwald, author of the Charlie Joe Jackson and Crimebiters books. The only survivor of a zombie purge finds himself wandering alone, until a caring couple takes him in and sends him to elementary school as their shy, very pale, and extremely unusual nephew. The projected publication date for the first book is summer 2019; Brianne Johnson at Writers House negotiated the three-book deal for world rights.
Wendy Lamb at Random House/Lamb has bought, in a preempt, Nicole Panteleakos's debut middle grade novel, Planet Earth Is Blue, and a second, untitled novel. The first book follows Nova, an autistic, nonverbal, space-obsessed 12-year-old who is awaiting the Challenger shuttle launch and the return of her big sister, Bridget, as she struggles to be understood, and ultimately, shines in her new foster family. Publication is set for summer 2019; Katie Grimm at Don Congdon Associates did the deal for North American rights.
Nathaniel Tabachnik and Sarah Fabiny at Penguin Workshop have acquired North American rights to Zoe Foster Blake's No One Likes a Fart, a humorous story about accepting yourself and finding a friend who loves you just the way you are. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Allison Hellegers at Rights People negotiated the deal on behalf of Eleanor Shorne Holden at Penguin Random House Australia.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to Anika Denise's (l.) The Love Letter, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. The story follows a mysterious love letter as it travels from animal to animal, brightening this group of friends' day. Publication is slated for fall 2019; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management brokered the deal on behalf of the author and the illustrator.
Karen Greenberg at Knopf has bought world rights to Kristin L. Gray's picture book, A Party for Rover, illustrated by Scott Magoon. Inspired by NASA's Curiosity rover, it tells the story of a lonely Mars rover that throws itself a birthday party. Publication is planned for spring 2020; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary represented the author, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Erin Clarke at Knopf has bought world rights to Salsa Lullaby, a bilingual picture book by Jen Arena (l.), illustrated by Erika Meza, in which mami, papi, and bebé dance/bailan, sing/cantan, jump/saltan, and more until bebé falls asleep. The book is set for fall 2019; Jill Corcoran at Jill Corcoran Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Cartey at Holroyde Cartey represented the illustrator.
Amy Novesky at Creative Editions has acquired world rights to Julie Abery's (l.) Yusra Swims, illustrated by Sally Deng. The picture book follows refugee Yusra Mardini's journey from Syria, across the sea to Greece, to her new home in Germany, and all the way to the Olympics. Publication is slated for fall 2019; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights to Mara Rockliff's (l.) Billie Jean!, a picture book biography of tennis champion and social activist Billie Jean King. Elizabeth Baddeley will illustrate; publication is planned for fall 2019. Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow Literary represented the illustrator.
Alexis Orgera and Chad Reynolds at Penny Candy have acquired global rights to The Yellow Suitcase by Meera Sriram (l.), with art by debut children's illustrator Meera Sethi. The picture book tells the story of a girl who visits India for her grandmother's funeral with the yellow suitcase that has meant so much to both of them. The book will be published in November 2018; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
Eliza Swift at Albert Whitman has bought world rights to Little Red Rhyming Hood by Mary Had a Little Labauthor-illustrator duo Sue Fliess and Petros Bouloubasis. The picture book is a twist on the "Little Red Riding Hood" fable, in which Little Red only speaks in verse. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Courtney Walls at Advocate Art represented the artist.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear has acquired world rights to Susan Wood's (l.) Sandy Feet, a nonfiction STEM-based picture book focused on using creatures' footprints to explore the shoreline habitat. Steliyana Doneva will illustrate; publication is expected in spring 2019. Caryn Wiseman represented the author, and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator.
Sarah Fabiny at Penguin Workshop has bought Steve and Chieri DeGregorio's Vehicles and Animals, board books based on the 8-bit art that has driven their Kids' Picture Show videos to reach hundreds of millions of YouTube views. Publication is set for spring 2019; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world rights.
Amy Novesky and Tom Peterson at the Creative Company have acquired world rights to Simon Says Open the Book, a board book by Emilia Zebrowska (l.) that teaches children about verbs. Susan Reagan will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2019. Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author, and the illustrator was unagented.
