Sarah Barley at S&S/Sarah Barley Books has acquired, in a preempt, Lygia Day Peñaflor's new YA novel, Beautiful to See You (Again), a mind-bending spin on a love triangle. The story follows Tia, a college dropout who revisits a tragic past via a mysterious tunnel in Central Park. But how can she begin a new life with a new love when her heart and the tunnel won't let her? Publication is planned for fall 2026; Hillary Jacobson at CAA sold North American rights.
Courtney Stevenson at HarperCollins has bought Elizabeth Foscue's YA novel New Year's Grieve, a country house mystery in which a sharp-tongued teen, hindered by her party-crashing ex-boyfriend, vows to uncover which of her horrible relatives murdered her grandfather—and murder them back. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Grace Milusich at Looking Glass Literary & Media negotiated the deal for world rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Romance has acquired The Candy Crush by Becky Dean (Love & Other Great Expectations), a YA romance set in a picturesque coastal town following a teen as she juggles her responsibilities at her family's candy shop and her growing feelings for the nephew of a rival business owner. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Eva Scalzo at Speilburg Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Ruta Rimas at Putnam has bought, at auction, The Chismosas Only Book Club by Laekan Zea Kemp, an upper middle grade novel with select chapters illustrated as graphic novel panels by Heidi Moreno, about four best friends who form a book club to stay connected as they begin high school, and the magical bookstore that fuels their friendship. Publication is set for summer 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House sold North American English and Spanish rights for the author, and Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management sold world rights for the illustrator.
Aimee Friedman at Scholastic Press has acquired Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson (Blood in the Water), a middle-grade thriller in which a girl taking a ghost tour in Savannah accidentally stumbles into a murder mystery. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Jenny Bent at the Bent Agency sold world rights.
Chris Duffy at Union Square Kids has bought The Adventures of Seraphina Strange by Emmy Award-winning animator Dan Krall, a debut middle-grade graphic novel series about young heiress Seraphina Strange who, with the help of her loyal manservant Atherton, follows in her great-grandfather's footsteps to discover the world's rarest monsters as featured in myths from across the globe. Publication for the first of three books is slated for summer 2027; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary sold world English rights.
Winsome Bingham and Wiley Blevins at Reycraft have signed Gadgets and Gears chapter book series creator and neurodiverse author Kersten Hamilton's Snarly-Yowl, a short story for middle-grade readers for the new Reycraft Illustrated line, about a street cat and a neurodiverse child who are each other's fierce protectors. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Erin Murphy while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency did the deal for world English and Spanish rights.
Frank Berrios at Random House Graphic has acquired world rights for Rock and Spike by Olga Herrera, a debut middle grade graphic novel series in which readers follow besties Rock (a rock) and Spike (a cactus) through misadventures exploring themes of friendship, problem-solving, and embracing the unexpected, while maintaining quirky humor. Publication is set for summer 2027; Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary negotiated the two-book deal.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press has bought Resurrection City and the Poor People's Campaign of 1968 by author-illustrator Nina Crews. This highly illustrated and photographic middle grade nonfiction book tells the story of the Poor People's Campaign, a monumental 1960s civil rights protest supporting economic justice for all people. Publication is planned for winter 2028; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency sold North American rights.
Jess Harold at Henry Holt has acquired We Shine!, a picture book by author-illustrator Xia Gordon (A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks), inspired by the 2006 blackout in Queens, N.Y. When the lights go out in Bea's neighborhood, she worries about Mama returning home. But during an evening outside with friends and neighbors, Bea is swathed in the light of her community, helping her be patient and brave, until Mama's hugs can chase away the dark. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Andrea Morrison at Writers House did the deal for world rights.
Courtney Stevenson at HarperCollins has bought world rights to author-illustrator Meridth McKean Gimbel's Getting to Know Your Transcestors, an illustrated collection of the life stories of 20 transgender figures throughout history. Publication is scheduled for winter 2028; Alexandra Levick at Writers House brokered the deal.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to School Up North, a picture book by Delano Brown (l.), illustrated by Frank Morrison, which follows a boy's vibrant day at school in northern Ontario where he learns more than lessons but also finds community and purpose. Publication is set for spring 2029; Ariana Philips at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Regan Winter at Disney-Hyperion has bought world rights to Lowrider for Sale by debut author Laura De La Cruz (l.), illustrated by Vanessa Morales. When Gabi's beloved family car is put up for sale, she becomes determined to find a way to save it in this multigenerational story aimed at fans of My Papi Has a Motorcycle. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Leah Pierre at Ladderbird Literary Agency represented the author, and Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator.
Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Sisa and the Dark Night by Pura Belpré Honor author Mariana Llanos (l.) (Benita and the Night Creatures), illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson, a tale about the dark constellations set during Incan times that follows a young Incan weaver who becomes lost and encounters a group of animals in distress, and together help each other find their way home. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Sera Rivers at Speilburg Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has bought world rights to The Sharing House by Casey W. Robinson (l.), illustrated by Mary Lundquist. The picture book is a joyful celebration of how small, often overlooked acts of generosity and kindness can transform a mere house into a welcoming home with more than enough love—and plenty of room—for everyone. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Rick Margolis at Rising Bear Literary represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Mary Colgan at Chronicle Books has acquired world rights to This Is a Library by Jyoti Rajan Gopal (l.), illustrated by Nicole Wong, a picture book about libraries across the continents and all the unexpected forms they can take—from library scooters to sailboats to old trees—and the joy they bring to each community. Publication is set for February 2028; Wendi Gu at Hannigan Getzler Literary represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Emma Hintzen at Sourcebooks eXplore has bought world rights to Uranus Is Full of Gas by Chris Ferrie (l.) (the Baby University series), illustrated by Michael Slack, a picture book that uses cheeky puns to teach readers scientific facts about the funniest planet in the solar system. Publication is planned for spring 2027; the author represented himself, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Michael Green at Marble Press has acquired world rights to Pirate Baby by Monica Acker (l.), illustrated by Susana Soto. In this picture book, Captain Cally takes whatever she fancies and never gives a single thing in return—until she fishes a houseplant from the sea and reluctantly tends to it, allowing them both to grow. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary represented the author, and Kate Webber at Good Illustration represented the artist.
Natalia Vázquez Torres at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Andy and the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game by Nathalie Alonso (l.), and Cathleen Schaad has acquired world rights for illustration by Julissa Mora. Set in New York City during World War II, the picture book follows young Brooklyn Dodgers fan Andy as he gives away his most prized possession—a baseball signed by Pee Wee Reese—to buy war bonds to trade for tickets for the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game with Abuelo and to help Papi and Pee Wee come home from the war. Publication is set for spring 2027; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear has acquired world rights to Luna Is a Wolf by debut author Christine Kornylak (l.), illustrated by Katharine Wren Walker, a picture book about Luna, who feels more wolf than girl, who struggles on her first day of school to quiet her howls and unfurl her paws—until she discovers a kindred spirit and finds her place in the pack. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has bought world rights to Beauty Is Everywhere by debut author Hannah Lorenzo (l.), illustrated by Tasneem Amiruddin. In this interfaith story, two best friends—Shira and Khadijah—gather small, everyday treasures to create a mosaic for their neighborhood picnic. When they run out of time, their community steps in, adding final touches that show beauty really is all around. Alison Behnke will edit; publication is slated for fall 2026. Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency represented the author, and James McGowan at BookEnds Literary represented the illustrator.
Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired, in an exclusive submission, A Knife to the Throat, a YA novel by Guggenheim Fellow and APALA- and Minnesota Book Award-winning author Kao Kalia Yang (The Diamond Explorer), about Chai, a contemporary Hmong teen from Minnesota who lives with his brother's family, while down in their basement, his mother sews he knows not what, her life shrouded in shadows and stories. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Erin Murphy at Aevitas Creative Management sold world rights.
Alyson Day at HarperCollins has bought Dead End Daryl by Lambda Literary Award-winning K. Ancrum (Icarus; The Corruption of Hollis Brown). The YA sci-fi novel follows a teen boy who must team up with multiple younger versions of himself to fight back against his future adult self: a dangerous man who keeps traveling back in time to his youth in a misguided attempt to fix a disaster that ruined his life. Publication is set for fall 2027; Eric Smith at Neighborhood Literary sold world English rights.
Nicole Fiorica at McElderry Books has acquired Catching Feelings by Emily Charlotte (Heart Check), a YA romance in which the head of the spirit committee and the mysterious new football transfer agree to go to Homecoming together to avoid a real relationship, only for their carefully laid plans to fall apart when they start to develop feelings for each other. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Krista Marino at Delacorte Press has bought Outside Voices by Adrienne Tooley, a horror-tinged thriller about a girl so desperate to prove that her younger sister is possessed by a demon that she returns to the desert where her sister went missing, only to find herself lost with no cell service or hope of rescue, and alone with the girl she's convinced is a monster. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world English rights.
Kara Sargent at Simon Pulse has acquired Rachel Peterson's debut novel Killing Sadie, a YA thriller told from multiple POVs—some more reliable than others—in which two teens are murdered at a barn party and everyone is a suspect. Publication is scheduled for August 2026; Emily Sylvan Kim at Prospect Agency sold world rights.
Lauren Knowles at Page Street has bought Dreamweaver, the YA debut of Masquerade author O.O. Sangoyomi, a YA dark academia about two teens at an exclusive prep school drawn together by strange dreams, who team up to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the school's first Black female student, pitched as Ace of Spades meets Legendborn. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Claire Friedman at InkWell Management negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Chris Fernandez at Mad Cave has acquired Princess Nightmare, a YA fantasy graphic novel by Jadzia Axelrod (l.) (Hawkgirl: Once Upon a Galaxy) and Rye Hickman (Hey, Mary!), about a trans teen prophesied to become the Ruler of Darkness who runs away from home and falls in with a lovingly accepting goblin community that teaches her that what other people consider "dark" may not actually be something to run away from. Lauren Hitzhusen will edit; a publication date has not been set. Maeve MacLysaght at Aevitas Creative Management did the deal for world rights.
Susan Rich at Little, Brown has bought, in a six-house auction, Dashka Slater's (The 57 Bus; Accountable) first work of middle grade nonfiction, Wild Season: The True Story of a Remarkable Rabbit Rescue, about a community of kids and grownups in the Bay Area who work together to save four abandoned domestic bunnies, and capture media attention in the process. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Erin Murphy while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press has acquired Almost True by Elly Swartz (Same Page), a contemporary middle grade novel with a twist about a guitar-playing girl who reinvents herself with the help of a stray dog and an unexpected friend after she loses everything when her brilliant, trailblazing mother turns out to be a fraud and a liar. Lydia Gregovic will edit; publication is slated for spring 2027. Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights deal.
Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown Ink has bought Keen Street Pet Detectives by author-illustrator Andy Hirsch, a solve-along middle grade graphic novel series, in which the neighborhood's cleverest kid sleuths solve fur-covered mysteries and four-legged whodunits. Publication will begin in 2027; Janna Morishima at Janna Co. did the three-book deal for world rights.
Karen Nagel at Simon Spotlight has acquired world rights to Detective Fuego and the Case of the Booms by author-illustrator Diana Castillo, an illustrated chapter book about a dragon cursed to remain in human form and solve dragon-related cases around the kingdom to break her curse, aimed at fans of The Bad Guys. Saritza Hernández at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for publication in summer 2027.
Emily Feinberg at Roaring Brook Press has acquired world rights to Caldecott Award-winning duo Philip Stead (l.) and Erin Stead's A School Day for Amos McGee, where Amos and his dear zoo animals go back to school. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal.
Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has bought, at auction, When the Water Held Wings by Julie Leung (l.), illustrated by Hanna Cha, the duo behind the Caldecott Honor book The Truth About Dragons. This picture book follows three generations of a Chinese immigrant family living in San Diego Chinatown before it was demolished to make way for the World's Fair of 1915. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Wendi Gu at Hannigan Getzler Literary did the deal for world rights.
Caroline Abbey at Random House has acquired world rights to the picture book Hippopotamess by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (l.), illustrated by Michael Slack, in which a hippopotamus experiences the joy of both making and cleaning messes. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Patricia Ocampo while at Kids Can Press bought world rights to Danny, the First Day of School Dog by Kirsten Pendreigh (l.), illustrated by Amberlea Williams, a picture book about a boy who, anxious about starting kindergarten, decides to become a dog, since dogs don't go to school, which turns out to the perfect icebreaker for all the other kids. Yasemin Uçar will edit; publication is set for fall 2027. Natalie Lakosil at Looking Glass Literary & Media represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at Tracy Marchini Literary represented the illustrator.
Winsome Bingham and Wiley Blevins at Reycraft Books have acquired world English rights to There Are No Bad Guys in This Book by Rachel Shupin (l.), illustrated by Sergio Edwards. This book is about good stuff like rainbows, unicorns, and dump trucks, and definitely not about an unreliable narrator failing to keep a monster, a robber, and a witch from sneaking inside. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Marisa Cleveland at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Karen Kaller at IllustrationX represented the illustrator.
Brett Duquette at Little Bee Books has bought world rights to The Kimchi Fridge by Tina Cho (l.), illustrated by Cindy Kang, in which a girl learns to make kimchi as her whole family gathers for kimjang, the Korean tradition of preparing and sharing large quantities of this delicious food. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Adria Goetz at KT Literary represented the author, and Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Melanie Romero at Lil' Libros has acquired world rights to Diana with an "ee" by Diana Serna Aguilera (l.) and Nancy Churnin (r.), the true story about the courageous walkout Diana Serna and her friends organized for Chicano rights at her Crystal City High School in Texas, to be illustrated by Sergio D. Robleto, with bilingual text. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the authors, and the illustrator represented himself.
