Claire Stetzer at Amulet Books has acquired Sophie Jo's Red Flags, a YA rom-com in which a girl with "high standards" and a boy who is "easily spooked" are challenged by their friends to stay in a relationship for two months, and must move past their icks and red flags despite doing everything to put each other off. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Chloe Seager at Madeleine Milburn Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Liz Szabla at Feiwel and Friends has bought Patrick Dunn's debut novel Jackalope, a YA thriller about family, isolation, and the breakdown of reality in which a teen is kidnapped by his father at the start of the Covid pandemic and taken to live in a remote cabin where the father's hallucinations and paranoia surge with isolation, and the son begins to see ghosts. Publication is planned for winter 2027; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for North American rights.
Mallory Kass at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Glamored by Rochelle Hassan, a YA fantasy twist on "Cinderella" where she gets to be her own fairy godmother, about a magical seamstress forced to make dresses for her stepsisters so they can win the prince's hand in marriage, only to fall for the prince herself. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Erica Bauman at Aevitas Creative Management negotiated the deal for world rights.
Kate Harrison at Dial has bought, in an exclusive submission, National Book Award finalist Huda Fahmy's debut middle grade graphic novel series, Fang Files, pitched as Sherlock meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where a Muslim boy discovers he is part of a line of people who turn into a vampire at puberty, and must navigate this new world of paranormal beings, including figuring out how to help a classmate who is being haunted by a jinn. Publication will begin in spring 2028; Kathleen Ortiz at KO Media Management handled the two-book deal for world English rights.
Rob Valois at Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to Sword & Backpack: The Three Companions by Gabe Soria (l.), illustrated by Alfredo Cáceres, first in a trilogy of middle grade fantasy adventure novels about a trio of accidental young adventurers—a Knight, a Mage, and a Rogue—bound by a magical pact to undertake an epic coming-of-age quest across a realm full of wonder and danger. Publication is set for fall 2026; Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented the author, and Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary represented the illustrator.
Chris Duffy at Union Square Kids has bought world rights to the middle grade graphic novel series Edgetown News by Adam Shaughnessy (l.), illustrated by Jacob Chabot. This story follows a boy who moves in with his aunt in a sleepy, creepy New England town and begins documenting the many eerie happenings in an online blog, only to find that nothing in Edgetown is as it seems—not even the monsters. The first book will publish in winter 2028; Ammi-Joan Paquette did the two-book deal for the author while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency, and the illustrator represented himself.
Lynne Missen at Tundra Books has acquired Ms. Featherstone's Home for Wayward Wings by Rachelle Delaney (l.), illustrated by Anna Bron, a middle grade novel featuring a sooty shearwater bird named Ms. Featherstone who takes up residence in an abandoned house and helps other migrating birds. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Amy Tompkins brokered the two-book deal for English-language rights in North America.
Siobhan Ciminera at Simon Spotlight has bought political cartoonist Chris Britt's Eric the Worm, a Ready-to-Read title. Eric the bookworm lives in a library and spends his days reading and shouting out everything he has learned. But sadly, there is nobody around to hear it, until he discovers the other bookworms. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Timothy Travaglini at Transatlantic Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Deirdre Jones at Little, Brown has acquired, in an exclusive submission, This Is a School illustrator Veronica Miller Jamison's debut author-illustrated picture book, The Stories in You: Inspired by the Wisdom of Toni Morrison, which follows a girl's journey through her family's history to discover her own creative gifts. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.
Danielle Collins at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Wanna Climb In? by Julia Moss (l.), illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, a cumulative picture book featuring an eccentric cast of characters piling onto a bike until it gets too full and the community comes to the rescue. Publication is set for spring 2028; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has acquired world rights to Limer-Icks, a nonfiction picture book of limericks celebrating the icky side of nature by Sibert Medalist Lynn Brunelle (l.), illustrated by Julia Patton. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Fraser & Henry Grow a Friend, a debut picture book by Becky Walker (l.), and Ellie Erhart has acquired world rights for illustrations by Fanny Liem. Fraser is uprooted from the city and transplanted to the country, so he and a passerby named Henry try to grow a friend from "friendship seeds," but when the crop flops, they realize something far better has blossomed. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Stephen Fraser at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Marissa Moss at Creston Books has acquired world rights to 1000 Red Stitches by Nancy Churnin (l.), illustrated by Kathryn Otoshi (Zero; One), a picture book about Robert Yano, who was sent as a teenager to an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II, and proved his love for his country by serving in the 442nd "Go for Broke" battalion, the most decorated military unit in U.S. history. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Della Farrell at Holiday House has bought world rights to Maria and the Cave Paintings by Barbara Lowell (l.), illustrated by Elke Boschinger, a nonfiction picture book about an eight-year-old child's discovery of the cave paintings at Altamira, Spain in 1879, which would forever change our understanding of our prehistoric ancestors. Publication is set for fall 2026; the author represented herself, and Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Christopher Robbins at Familius has acquired world rights to Women of the Wind: The All-Female Sailing Crew That Raced Around the World by Laura Gehl (l.) (Donut), illustrated by Kamilla Sims, the story of the team Tracy Edwards put together to enter the male-dominated Whitbread Round the World sailing race, and the team's determination to show what they could do during the nine-month, 33,000-mile competition. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Calista Brill at First Second has bought world rights to Leila Lives Again and Again, a YA graphic novel by Sloane Leong (l.) and Leslie Hung, about a girl whose exciting new friend turns out to be bad news. Ivan Taurisano will edit; publication is scheduled for 2028. Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management represented Leong, and Judy Hansen at Hansen Literary Management represented Hung.
Olivia Luchini at Penguin Workshop has acquired world English rights to 16 Wishes by Gabrielle Prendergast, a YA paperback original. This magical YA romance steeped in Irish folklore follows a teen girl's near-disastrous journey after she unknowingly saves a faerie prince and is rewarded with wishes that seem to only create more chaos in her already overwhelming life. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Esty Loveing-Downes at Howland Literary did the deal while at ArtHouse Literary.
Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown has bought a middle grade series by debut authors Tristan Tales (l.) and Luke Pounder titled The Cogsworths, a whimsical mystery adventure about three mechanically created siblings who set out to uncover the truth behind their inventor mother's disappearance, in a two-book deal. The series is based on the authors' viral social media shorts, which have more than 17 million views. Publication is set for fall 2026 and fall 2027 respectively; Richard Abate at 3 Arts Entertainment negotiated the deal for world rights.
Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams/Amulet has acquired Baby Teeth by Sarah Mensinga (illustrator of Kindred Dragons), a fantasy graphic novel pitched as Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet meets Luke Pearson's Hilda. In the story, two rebel fairies steal the power source that hides their kind from humans—triggering a heist, a cover-up, and a queen's ultimatum. Publication is set for fall 2028; the author's Kindred Dragons 3 was part of the deal and will pub in fall 2027. Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group sold world rights.
Kara Sargent at Aladdin has bought North American rights to Regina and the Knaves by Bonnie Maisen, a debut middle grade fantasy novel about an accomplished amateur thief who must join forces with the Knaves—the most infamous thieves in all of Solaris—in order to reclaim the magical heritage that's been kept from her. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Courtney Donovan at Writers House brokered the deal.
Laura Godwin at Godwin Books has acquired Willow's Winter Walk by Stevie Lewis, making her author-illustrator debut. A curious kitten named Willow tiptoes, tumbles, and adventures through a snowy town, finding joy and wonder in the quiet beauty of winter. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Ed Maxwell at Transatlantic Literary Agency sold world rights.
Chris Hernandez at Putnam has bought Shell by debut author-illustrator Mitch Miller. The picture book, which explores the challenges of anxiety and the courage it takes to come out of your shell, follows an anxious turtle who can't help but imagine every possible danger lurking in the forest, and who summons up the courage to step out of his comfort zone to experience the wonders of friendship. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Heather and Ethan Long at Tugeau 2 did the two-book deal for world rights.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has acquired, at auction, debut author Graham Jones's (l.) How We Do, a picture book about three kids at a boring adult party who find each other through special ways of talking, moving, and acting and liven up the night—for everyone. Fine artist Joonbug (Lenworth McIntosh) will illustrate in his picture book debut; publication is set for fall 2027. Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary & Media represented the author, and Anton Schlesinger at Hidden Friends represented the illustrator.
Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has bought world rights to Debug This Book by Omar Abed (l.), illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch, a picture book about a boy named Cody who discovers a "bug" in his computer, which wreaks havoc on the story he's just finished writing. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Connor Eck while at Lucinda Literary represented the author, and Marcia Wernick at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the illustrator.
Jenne Abramowitz at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Detective Baby by Casey Lyall (l.) (A Spoonful of Frogs), illustrated by Abhi Alwar (Super Pancake), a picture book in which a pint-sized private eye is rattled by a mysterious playroom theft—a baby with a missing sniffer in the Case of Who's-Got-Your-Nose. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency represented the author, and Alexandra Levick at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Reach: How Humans Came to Be, a nonfiction picture book Katie Slivensky (l.), illustrated by Galia Bernstein. From our mammalian ancestors to modern times, this true-life evolutionary journey will help young readers answer one of their biggest questions: where did we come from? Publication is set for fall 2028; Ammi-Joan Paquette while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
