Kendra Levin at Simon & Schuster Books has acquired, in a preempt, Change of Plans and two more novels by YA author Sarah Dessen. In Change of Plans, a girl who's always been more comfortable in someone else's shadow steps into the light when she reconnects with her extended family, makes new friends working at a diner, and falls for the last guy she would've expected, all over the course of one surprising summer. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Leigh Feldman at Leigh Feldman Literary did the three-book deal for world rights.
Katherine Harrison at Knopf has bought, at auction, Lynette Noni's next YA fantasy series, Shadow Reaper. Pitched as Shadow and Bone meets The Vampire Diaries (sans vampires), this dark YA fantasy romance follows a young reaper hunter who must conspire with her childhood friend turned mortal enemy and his crew of illegal magic thieves to stop a deadly foe from a plot to steal untold power—and doom their world. Publication for the first book is set for summer 2026; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency negotiated the seven-figure, four-book deal for North American rights.
Vanessa Aguirre at Wednesday Books has acquired The Cove by Claire Rose, a folk horror YA about a rebellious teen who is sent to a reform program in an isolated coastal Maine town and must fight for her life after a night of surreal festivities with an odd group of locals turns deadly. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media represents Electric Postcard Entertainment and sold world English rights.
Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends has bought A Taste of Memories, a cozy YA fantasy novel by Alechia Dow. The story follows a witch who allows people to relive their fondest memories by recreating recipes from their past at her magical tearoom, and a warlock who arrives on her doorstep haunted by a dangerous spirit that threatens his future. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary Management sold North American rights.
Krista Vitola at S&S has acquired Katharine Orton's The Traitor Moth, first in the Moon Realm middle-grade fantasy series, about a brave young moth with the gift of prophecy who sets out on a quest to save his exiled clan and the kingdom from peril, pitched for fans of Wilderlore and Erin Hunter's Warriors series. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Allison Hellegers at Stimola Literary Studio brokered the two-book deal for North American rights on behalf of Bryony Woods at DKW in the U.K.
Ben Rosenthal at Stonefruit Studio has bought, at auction, The Believers by Edgar Award-winning author Kate Milford, a middle grade WWII novel in the spirit of Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The story follows an 11-year-old girl who intercepts a con man's lessons from his fake correspondence school for magic and then makes the spells work, putting her on a collision course with a Nazi spy and the U.S. military agents hoping to trap their prey and turn the tide of the war. Publication is set for fall 2027; Stephen Barr at Writers House negotiated the three-book-deal for North American rights.
Trisha de Guzman at Farrar, Straus and Giroux will edit creator and host of the Comfy Cozy Witch podcast Jennie Blonde's The Young Witch's Guide to Magic, which blends foundational witchcraft practices with modern guidance to empower teens to explore the magical path with confidence and curiosity. The book was originally sold to Justin Krasner while at Odd Dot; publication is planned for spring 2027. Lauren Spieller at Folio Literary Management handled the deal for world rights.
Katie Carella at Scholastic Branches has acquired the first four books in the Diary of a DinoGhost early chapter book series by author-illustrator Monica Arnaldo, starting with Unlikely Friends, about Cobble, a former brontosaurus whose afterlife is turned upside down by the arrival of a potential new friend: a surly dead goldfish named Bonny. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Alexandra Levick at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books and Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight have bought world rights to two picture books and three Ready-to-Reads in a new series called Tux Guy, Cat Spy by author-illustrator Kaz Windness (Worm & Caterpillar Are Friends; Bitsy Bat, School Star). The series features a tuxedo cat spy who goes on missions to save all of Cat City from villains. Publication for the first two books in the series are scheduled for fall 2027; Tim Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
David Linker at HarperCollins has acquired Decoy Saves Opening Day, a picture book by MLB All-Star Shohei Ohtani (l.), written with Michael Blank (c.), illustrated by Fanny Liem (r.), starring Ohtani's dog Decoy. In the story, Decoy can't wait to throw the first pitch to kick off the new baseball season, but realizes he forgot his lucky baseball at home. The book goes behind the scenes of Opening Day as Decoy gets his ball back and makes it back to the stadium before it's too late. Publication is set for February 3, 2026; CAA sold world English rights.
Lee Wade at Random House Studio has bought world rights to The Saturday Kitchen by Christopher Medal winner Margaret McNamara (l.), illustrated by G. Brian Karas. Based on food pantries where the author and artist volunteer, this picture book shows the inside workings of a food pantry, highlighting volunteerism and service to community; a portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Sophie Cudd at the Book Group represented the author, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the artist.
Christy Ottaviano at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Clem Clam the Class Clown by Laurie Keller (Potato Pants). The story follows shy Clem on a mission to become the funniest clam at school to gain popularity, learning lessons about friendship, fitting in, and being yourself. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Alessandra Balzer at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has bought, in a preempt, world rights to author-illustrator Su Moon's debut picture book Vlad Is Mad!, about a young vegan vampire learning to balance his emotions, with a little help from his father, and an untitled second book. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal for world rights.
Rebecca Davis while at Astra Young Readers has acquired world rights for Not Today, Blue Jay by Chris Barton (l.) (Shark vs. Train), illustrated by Adam Ming, a twist on the classic story "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," which looks at how important it can be to speak up, even if not everyone wants to hear your warnings. Millie von Platen will edit; publication is set for spring 2027. Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary represented the author, and Lydia Silver at Darley Anderson (UK) represented the illustrator.
Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree Books has bought world rights to I Dream of Shadow Puppets (tentatively titled) by Kelly Zhang (l.) (Take Me to Laolao), illustrated by Hechen Yu, part of a previously announced two-book deal, in which a child discovers the art of pi ying (shadow puppets) on a visit to her grandparents in China. Publication is planned for 2026; Hilary Harwell while at KT Literary represented the author, who is now represented by Laurel Symonds at KT Literary, and the illustrator represented himself.
Erika DiPasquale at HarperCollins has acquired world rights to the Who Saved the Holidays picture book series by debut author Jen Anyong (l.), illustrated by Kaly Quarles. In The Ghost Who Saved Halloween, hijinks ensue when a ghost tries to save Halloween from all the candy with a good ol' haunt; in The Turkey Who Saved Thanksgiving, a turkey goes to all lengths to take the spotlight back from Christmas. Publication is slated for summer 2026 and fall 2027 respectively; Morgan Hughes at Fine Print Literary represented the author, and Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has bought world rights to We Are All Related, a picture book by Violet Duncan (l.), illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, in which a girl and grandmother revel in the marvelous way everything in nature is connected, from plants to insects to people. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author represented herself, and Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented the illustrator.
Dianne Hess while at Scholastic Press acquired world rights to Awe! by Chana Stiefel (l.), illustrated by Susan Gal, co-creators of The Tower of Life. The picture book showcases how experiencing awe—in nature, art, music, and community—can change the way we think and feel, lessening our anxieties, inspiring creativity and generosity, and making us feel more connected. Publication is set for spring 2026; Miranda Paul while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Kelly Pelsue at Morgan Gaynin represented the illustrator.
Megan Abbate at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to Emery Is Not a Dragon by Michelle Jing Chan (Weiwei's Winter Solstice; Somewhere in the Gray). In this picture book, Emery attends dance class and must choose to perform as the strong, brave dragon or the graceful, beautiful phoenix. Wrestling with the decision, they discover they are both dragon and phoenix, and they don't need to choose just one to shine. Publication is slated for winter 2028; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Autumn Allen at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Kindness Glows in the Dark by Gama Valle (l.), illustrated by Mrinali Álvarez Astacio; Autumn Allen and Bree Reyes will edit. In rural Puerto Rico, Nube and Kamil are friends, but when Nube discovers that Kamil is stealing food from her family's garden and why, they both learn to be better neighbors. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Leah Pierre at Ladderbird Literary Agency represented the author, and Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency represented the illustrator.
Alisha Niehaus Berger at NorthSouth has bought world rights to Coming Home, a picture book by Regina Feldmann (l.) (9 Little People/9 pequeñas personas), illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Rumi—Poet of Joy and Love), the story of an apartment building coming together to celebrate the homecoming of a child who has been sick, seen from the perspective of a ladybug arriving on the festive groceries. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027.
Dorielys Cruz at Little Simon has acquired world rights to Mira Mira: Shapes and Mira Mira: Colors by Lourdes Heuer (l.), illustrated by Juliana Perdomo, two bilingual English-Spanish board books that introduce young readers to basic shapes and the colors of the rainbow. Publication is set for summer 2026; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Carina Licon at Henry Holt has acquired This Treacherous Night and This Ruthless Day, a YA fantasy duology from M. Stevenson set in a world that falls into darkness after its sun god is stolen, bringing five magic-wielding teens together to pull off an impossible heist. But when the stakes turn personal and they uncover a larger plot to bring down the gods, will they stay loyal to saving the world or just themselves? Publication is planned for spring 2027 and spring 2028; Maddy Belton at Madeleine Milburn Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Kelly Stone at Wednesday Books has bought Little Necromancers by debut author Emma Devlin, a ghostly YA whodunit novel pitched as Knives Out with dark magic, following a young psychic who must reluctantly team up with the strange and hostile ghosts haunting the Granville estate to investigate her friend's murder. Publication is scheduled for winter 2027; Nicole Eisenbraun and Ginger Clark at Ginger Clark Literary did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired, in an exclusive submission, two standalone middle grade novels from Stonewall Honoree H.E. Edgmon. Realmsweep takes place in a fantasy version of the modern United States where Rowdy, the first trans prince of Texas, must compete in a perilous tournament before he can access the magic to change to his appearance. In Troublesome, Charlie is trying to survive the summer in exile on her grandparents' plantation, when a beast of her own creation springs to life and offers Charlie a deal—his protection in exchange for her memories. Realmsweep is set for October 2026; Victoria Marini at High Line Literary and Lee O'Brien at Looking Glass Literary and Media co-represented the author.
Alyssa Miele at Quill Tree Books has bought Edgar Award-nominated author Claire Swinarski's Mr. Cooper Didn't Do It, a contemporary middle grade mystery told through mixed media and prose. Ruby is determined to prove that her beloved journalism teacher Mr. Cooper didn't steal money from the class field trip fund—only to discover that Mr. Cooper is guilty of something else. Publication is slated for winter 2027; Alex Slater at GreenburgerKids brokered the deal for world English rights.
Kristen Mohn at Capstone has acquired world rights to a bilingual English and Vietnamese picture book by the Caldecott Honor-winning team of author Bao Phi (l.) and illustrator Thi Bui (A Different Pond). Ride / Đạp Xe encompasses three generations, two cultures, and one universal experience of learning to ride a bike. Publication is planned for fall 2026; the author represented himself, and Julie Stevenson at Massie, McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents represented the illustrator.
Mary Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to 23 Dogs & 1 Cat by Mary Nethery (l.) and Kirby Larson (c.) (Two Bobbies; Nubs), illustrated by Thai My Phuong (r.). The picture book, inspired by real-life second graders in Virginia, follows a class's letter-writing campaign to find "furever" homes for local rescue animals; Alex Borbolla will edit. Publication is set for fall 2026; Jane Putch at Eyebait Management represented Nethery, Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented Larson, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented Phuong.
Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Stolen Colors by Khushboo Patel (l.), illustrated by Tara Anand, a picture book about a girl who loves painting but whose life and passion for art are turned upside-down when her art teacher crosses a line. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Howard W. Reeves at Abrams has bought Louisine Lights a Legacy: How Louisine Havemeyer Fired Up America's Woman Suffrage by Kerrie Logan Hollihan (l.), illustrated by Julie Benbassat. This picture book biography shines a light on the oft-overlooked suffragette Louisine Havemeyer who, after being widowed, took advantage of the ways in which unmarried women could speak their minds and spend their money in the 1910s, travel across America to give spirited speeches, attend demonstrations, and convince crowds of the importance of a woman's right to vote. Publication is slated for spring 2026; the author represented herself, and Rebecca Sherman at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Kate DePalma at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Chair by Ryan Rae Harbuck (l.), illustrated by Barry Lee; Bree Reyes will edit. When Vo proclaims her wish to be a chair, her friends and family do not understand, leading Vo on a journey of identity and self-acceptance as a wheelchair user. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Esty Loveing-Downes, while at ArtHouse Literary Agency, represented the author, and Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristin Zelazko at Magination Press has bought world rights for The Sounds That Shelter Me, a debut picture book by British-Tamil author Bibi Senthi (l.), illustrated by Felishia Henditirto. Mayuri "wraps" herself in the sounds of Tamil music and dance but what happens when her verbal stimming isn't enough to stop a sudden sensory "storm"? Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Essie White at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator.
