Foyinsi Adegbonmire at Feiwel and Friends has acquired debut author Ann Zhao's Dear Wendy, a contemporary YA novel in which two first-year college students with anonymous relationship advice accounts on Instagram feud over who gives the best tips, only to meet in real life and discover they both identify as aromantic and asexual—a rarity even at their diverse liberal arts college. Publication is planned for winter 2024; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Alexandra Cooper at Quill Tree has bought world English rights to the YA rom-com If You're Not the One and an untitled YA novel by Farah Naz Rishi (It All Comes Back to You). The book follows Anisa, an overachiever with the "perfect" life—and perfect soon-to-be-fiancé —until a string of bad news forces her to enlist the irksome classmate who sees through her facade as her love coach. Publication is slated for summer 2023; Hannah Bowman at Liza Dawson Associates represented the author.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has acquired Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Gracia (Boys I Know). Pitched as a tennis version of Center Stage, the story follows three Asian American teen girls—the underdog, the social media darling, and the defiant ex-friend—from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds who compete against each other at an elite tennis summer camp and discover they're not so different after all. Publication is set for spring 2024; Kiana Nguyen at Donald Maass Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Nicole Ellul at Simon & Schuster has bought Luminary, a guide to mindfulness and self-care for teens by Kate Scelsa (Fans of the Impossible Life). Luminary is a book of practical magic that empowers readers to pursue mental wellness with curiosity and confidence, offering different ways of living a heart-centered, mindful, and magical life. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Brianne Johnson at HG Literary sold North American rights.
Meg Gaertner at Flux has acquired Dan Solomon’s YA debut, The Fight for Midnight. During Wendy Davis's historic filibuster of the abortion bill HB2 in June 2013, the political gets personal as an Austin teen tries to make up for his past mistakes and do the right thing—if he can figure out what that even is. Publication is planned for spring 2023; the author represented himself.
Fiona Simpson at Wattpad Books has bought world rights to three novels in a series by Katarina E. Tonks. Death Is My BFF, Death Is My BFFLAD, and Death Is My Frenemy tell the coming-of-age story of Faith Williams, an ordinary teenage girl who discovers that she is the product of a prophecy, which makes her responsible for protecting the balance of all good and evil on earth. Publication is slated to begin in fall 2023; Elaine Spencer at the Knight Agency negotiated the three-book deal.
Megan Brown at IDW has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Taka, the debut YA graphic novel by Ryan Jampole. Taka, the notorious delinquent, struggles to right her wrongs after unwittingly releasing a horde of evil robots. In order to stop them, she begrudgingly becomes the Mech Fighter, a powerful cyborg warrior, but it's tough being a hero. Publication is scheduled for spring 2024; the creator was unagented.
Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, an untitled middle-grade graphic novel by Aron Nels Steinke, the Eisner Award–winning creator of the Mr. Wolf's Class series. In the book, a seventh grader has a social anxiety disorder called selective mutism and does not speak at school; she starts to use her voice as she finds comfort in making stop-motion animated films and her friendship with a new classmate grows, and eventually has to confront her ex-best friend turned worst enemy. Publication is set for summer 2024; Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary Management did the deal for world rights.
Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree has acquired The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua (l.) and Alechia Dow, a middle grade mystery pitched as Knives Out meets The Great British Baking Show, which follows two best friends who must uncover the culprit in a baking competition gone awry. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency represented the authors in the two-book deal for world English rights.
Melinda Rathjen at WorthyKids has bought world English rights to The Inkwell Chronicles: The Ink of Elspet by J.D. Peabody. The middle grade fantasy novel features magic ink, a secret society, and a boy who yearns to make his mark. Publication is slated for September 2022, with a second book in the series due in 2023; Curtis Russell at P.S. Literary Agency represented the author.
Diane Landolf while at Random House acquired world rights to four books in Natasha Deen’s (l.) Spooky Sleuths chapter book series, illustrated by Lissy Marlin, which combines science and spooky ghost stories from Guyana. The first two books, The Ghost Tree and Beware the Moonlight! will publish in fall 2022, with Don't Go Near the Water and The Fire in the Sky to follow in 2023; Jenna Lettice will edit. Amy Tompkins at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management represented the illustrator.
Patricia Aldana at Greystone Kids/Aldana Libros has bought The Shade Tree by Suzy Lee, winner of the 2022 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. In the picture book, a young man outwits a rich man to get shade from a tree that he and his fellow villagers can enjoy. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; BIR Publishing Co. sold world English rights.
Allison Cohen at Running Press Kids has acquired Raaga's Song, the debut picture book from author-illustrator Navina Chhabria. It tells the story of Raaga, a girl with dark skin from a low caste who yearns to sing at the Diwali mela, and with the help of her grandfather, her community, and the inspiration of Lord Rama, she makes her dreams come true. Publication is set for fall 2023; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal for world rights.
Nancy Inteli at HarperCollins has bought world rights to A Moving Story written by Beth Ferry (l.) and Tom Lichtenheld (c.), illustrated by Tom Booth (r.). In this picture book, two bears, a family of pandas, and a missing pet turtle learn that everyone is worth wrapping up tight and treating just right. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Elena Giovinazzo of Pippin Properties represented Ferry, Amy Rennert at the Amy Rennert Agency represented Lichtenheld, and Rick Richter at Aevitas Creative Management represented Booth.
Susan Kochan at Putnam has acquired world rights to Stinkbird Has a Superpower and Parrotfish Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum (l.), illustrated by Bob Shea. Both books introduce readers to unusual animals who have very unexpected and entertaining superpowers that help them survive. Publication is slated for summer 2023 and spring 2024; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Tamar Brazis at Viking has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to the first two titles in the Hattie Harmony picture book series by Robbie Arnett (l.) and Elizabeth Olsen (c.). The first title, Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, is about a kid detective who helps "solve" her peers' cases of first-day jitters with real-world anxiety tools and techniques, to be illustrated by Marissa Valdez (r.). Publication is set for June 2022, with the second in summer 2023; Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the authors, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kayla Tostevin at Page Street Kids has acquired world rights to Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea by debut author Andrew Hacket (l.), illustrated by Kaz Windness, in which a boy with a green thumb stands up to his bully by literally becoming a tree. Publication is scheduled for winter 2024; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency represented the illustrator.
Christianne Jones at Capstone has bought world rights to Benford Draws a Blank by Danielle Dufayet (l.), illustrated by Katie Klein. In this picture book about trusting your talent and believing in yourself, Benford must get creative when his mind goes blank. Publication is slated for spring 2023; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired North American rights to Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army by Penny Parker Klostermann (l.), illustrated by Anne Lambelet. This debut nonfiction picture book biography tells the story of a woman who raised thousands of spiders in her home and harvested their silk for the war effort. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary represented the illustrator.
Barb McNally at Sleeping Bear Press bought world rights to Every Little Seed by Cynthia Schumerth (l.), illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. Through rhyming text, three generations of a family partake in the process of bringing a garden to life, beginning with the planting of seeds. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; the author represented herself, and Christine Hong at Astound US represented the illustrator.
Mark Siegel at First Second has acquired a YA graphic novel series based on the Clash gaming franchise from Supercell. The series title is The Books of Clash: Legendary Legends Legendarious Achievery, scripted by Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese). The first of eight books will begin releasing in spring 2023. Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management negotiated the deal for world rights for Supercell; Judy Hansen of Hansen Literary represented the author.
Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has bought Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler (Cool for the Summer), a YA contemporary pitched as a bi Sliding Doors that follows a Jewish teen through two versions of the summer before senior year, one in NYC (with a cute girl) and one in L.A. (with a cute boy); plus My Name Is Everett, a sunshine-meets-grump boarding school romance in which a girl who wants to try being bad meets a boy who's desperate to be good, leading to an ill-conceived deal that quickly goes awry. Publication is set for summer 2023 and summer 2024; Patricia Nelson at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Reka Simonsen at Atheneum has acquired the first YA fantasy novel by romance author Emma Mills. In Something Close to Magic, a baker's apprentice with an old-fashioned magical skill is enlisted to help find a missing prince, only to find herself swept into an adventure that could upend her careful life. Publication is scheduled for summer 2023; Bridget Smith at JABberwocky sold world English rights.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to Dan of Green Gables by Rey Terciero (l.), illustrated by Eisner Award nominee Claudia Aguirre. A twist on Anne of Green Gables, this YA graphic novel tells the story of a queer, half-Mexican teenager named Dan who is forced to live with his grandparents in rural Tennessee when his mother abandons him. With the help of his Mawmaw and his new friends, Dan makes an unlikely home for himself at 1600 Green Gables. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Kate McKean at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA has acquired the Whisper of the Ravens YA trilogy by Malene Sølvsten (l.), which follows 17-year-old Anne, who can see events from the past, and glimpses an old bestial murder. The books are at once a fantasy, crime novel, and coming-of-age story with its basis in a universe with Norse mythological roots. The first book will be translated from the Danish by Adrienne Alair and published in fall 2023. Lise Broen Rosenberg Dahm at Gyldendal Group Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Rebecca Sands at Wattpad Books has bought world rights to Love and Other Wicked Things by Philline Harms (Never Kiss Your Roommate), a witchy, sapphic romance set in a small, magical town. It's slated for spring/summer 2023; the author represented herself.
Megan Ilnitzki has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Between Monsters and Marvels by Alysa Wishingrad (The Verdigris Pawn), a middle grade fantasy novel which a girl ventures to the mainland from her magical island home to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of her monster-hunting father. But her search, aided by some unlikely friends, might run her afoul of a different kind of monster altogether. Publication is tentatively set for winter 2023; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary Agency sold world English rights.
Wesley Adams at FSG has bought Willie Mae Brown's debut, My Selma: Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement, a middle grade memoir of growing up Black in Selma, Alabama, combining family stories of the everyday and the extraordinary as seen through the eyes of her 12-year-old self, in a portrayal of her hometown that is also a no-holds-barred indictment of repressive, inhumane conditions of the time and place. Publication is scheduled for winter 2023; Joan Brookbank at Joan Brookbank Projects did the deal for world rights.
Yolanda Scott at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Limelight: Theater Poems to Perform by Renée M. LaTulippe (l.), illustrated by Julian Peters. This middle-grade collection of poetry comics uses a variety of poetic forms to personify elements of the theater, immersing readers in the joys and challenges of putting on a show. Publication is planned for spring 2024; Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Aneeka Kalia at Viking has bought, at auction, Wombats!, a debut early graphic novel by author-illustrator Maddie Frost, in which wombats Albert and Pickles, and their friend Platters, tackle camping and face a Wholly Moon Beast, and a second title. Publication is slated for spring 2023 and spring 2024; Andrea Morrison at Writers House negotiated the deal for world rights.
Anna Roberto at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Anna Hrachovec's (known as Mochimochi Land on social media) debut picture book, Catside Up, Catside Down, a picture book introducing prepositions by way of lovable feline friends, and illustrated with the author's signature knitted critters. Publication is set for fall 2023; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought world rights to Patterns Everywhere by Lisa Varchol Perron. This nonfiction photo book is an invitation to explore the many places in nature where patterns can be found, from leaf veins to snowflakes to sand dunes. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary brokered the deal.
Karen Li at Groundwood Books has acquired world rights to The Little Green Envelope by Gillian Sze (l.) (My Love for You Is Always), illustrated by Claudine Crangle. This picture book homage to snail mail and a celebration of our own unique journeys in life features a forgotten envelope finally rescued from a drawer when a girl reaches out to a friend who has moved away. Publication is planned for August 2023; Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Chris Krones at Clarion has bought world rights to Awe-samosas!, a picture book by Marzieh Abbas (l.), illustrated by Bhagya Madanasinghe. Young Nur prepares to entertain friends by making her dadijaan's Pakastani samosas, but what happens when she doesn't have all the traditional ingredients? Publication is slated for winter 2024; Lynnette Novak at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick Press has acquired world rights to The Moss Picker, a picture book by Kirstie Myvett (l.), illustrated by James Ransome. Detailing a time and career of centuries past, a boy spends a memorable day with his father at the bayou, gathering Spanish moss to sell. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and James Ransome represented himself.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to A Mind of Her Own: The Story of Mystery Writer Agatha Christie by Robyn McGrath (l.), illustrated by Liz Wong. The picture book biography offers a glimpse into the mind of the creative and persistent genius who would become the bestselling novelist of all time. Publication is set for summer 2024; Amy Thrall Flynn at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow represented the illustrator.
Emma Ledbetter at Abrams, in an exclusive submission, has acquired world rights to Golden Kite Honoree Winsome Bingham's (l.) Fish Fry Friday, a picture book in which a grandson joins his Granny on her Friday routine—from waking while it's still dark, to driving down the pier full of fisher people saluting her, to kissing her bait, and finally bringing the day's catch home to filet and fry up for the family. CSK Illustrator Honoree CG Esperanza will illustrate. Publication is planned for spring 2025; Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the author, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker represented the artist.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has bought, at auction, world rights to The Girl Who Changed Little League, written by Maria Pepe (l.) and Jean L.S. Patrick (c.), illustrated by Sarah Green (r.). This picture book autobiography tells the story of Maria Pepe, the 11-year-old girl who changed the course of Little League history. Publication is slated for fall 2024; Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow Literary represented the authors, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Wendy McClure at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired, at auction, The Boo Crew Needs You! by Vicky Fang (l.), illustrated by Saoirse Lou. In the interactive picture book, readers help a monster crew fix various problems that get in the way of Halloween night fun. Publication is set for fall 2023; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator in the two-book deal for world rights.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Christmas Ahoy! by Erin Dealey (l.) (Snow Globe Wishes), a counting picture book in rhyme about an annual Lighted Boat Parade with a flotilla of fun and a missing Santa, illustrated by Kayla Stark. Publication is scheduled for July 2023; Deborah Warren at East/West Literary represented the author, and Anne Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the artist.
Molly Yao Shen at Yeehoo Press has acquired world rights to Opal's Springtime Birdhouse by Emily Matheis (l.), illustrated by Albert Arrayás. When pizzazz and silliness are prized over purpose and function, Opal is devastated to lose the birdhouse building contest, but she might just win the only vote that counts: a bluebird's, with a birdhouse that brings in nature's own beauty. Publication is planned for spring 2023 in the U.S. and mainland China; Jennifer Herrington at Harvey Klinger represented the author, and Lilla Rogers Studio represented the illustrator.
Andrea Hall at Beaming Books has bought world rights to Missing Violet by debut author Kelly Swemba (l.), illustrated by Fabiana Faiallo Alamino. When Mia's best friend Violet gets sick and doesn't recover, Mia experiences each stage of the grieving process, and finds a special way to come together with her classmates to honor Violet's memory. Publication is slated for spring 2023; the author represented herself, and Erin Tisdel at Advocate Art represented the illustrator.
