Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired The House of Gardenias, the YA debut of Isabel Cañas, about a self-described coward who seeks refuge from poverty and civil war in a gothic mansion far above the capital city, but who instead finds herself in a position to destroy the fascist colonizers who are trading souls for wealth. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Kari Sutherland at KT Literary sold world English rights.
Jenny Bak at Viking has bought North American rights to Everlore by Margie Fuston, a twisted YA fairy tale in which two sisters living in a cursed village attend a ball hoping to win the heart of the eldest prince, and whichever sister succeeds will face a grisly fate, while saving the other from it. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Nicole Eisenbraun at Ginger Clark Literary negotiated the deal.
Madison Pelletier at Mayhem Books has acquired, in a preempt, Poison Heart by Tegan Cassell, a YA novel in which a governor's daughter moonlighting as the captain of an all-woman pirate crew teams up with her nemesis to embark on a search for the sea goddess who will save his sister—and her freedom. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Gabriella Melendez at Great Dog Literary did the two-book deal for world rights.
Kara Sargent at Aladdin has bought, at auction, author-illustrator Maddie Frost's Really Rubie, an illustrated debut middle grade novel about Rubie Fox, who goes to sleepaway camp in Vermont without her BFF during the summer before middle school and records all of the summer's dramatic adventures in her diary, from broken promises and crushes to rule-breaking. Publication is set for summer 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal for North American rights.
Sarah Barley at S&S/Sarah Barley Books has acquired Limitlessly, Mina by Gianna Lakenauth, a middle grade novel in verse about a Guyanese American eighth grader from Queens, whose life is turned upside down when her Nani, the pillar of the family, begins to lose her memory from Alzheimer's. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Wendi Gu at Hannigan Getzler Literary did the deal for world rights.
Taylor Norman at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books has bought world rights to Alligators Anthology, the debut chapter book from James Marshall Fellow R. Corbin, in which senior citizen alligators Geraldine and Alfonso share an unusual friendship that keeps them young. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author represented himself.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired POWER! (Penguins of Wrestling Epic Rumble!) by viral Instagram and GIPHY creator Simian Reflux, a middle grade graphic novel series following the high-energy antics of Skip and Noodle, two silly small-town penguins wrestling superfans with big dreams and even bigger hearts, who create their own underground wrestling league. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Lenny Herbert at Maximum Orbit handled the three-book deal for world rights.
Krestyna Lypen at Post Wave has bought world rights to Pickles and Cat, author-illustrator Maja Cunningham's debut picture book. Pickles is a very happy and very playful dog, but when Cat shows up at his house and refuses to join the fun, Pickles devises a sure-fire way to get rid of Cat. Publication is set for spring 2027; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the deal.
Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to This Old School by Marcy Campbell (l.), illustrated by Corinna Luyken, a picture book about an abandoned schoolhouse, and a girl and her grandpa who prove that there is beauty in giving old things new purpose. Publication is scheduled for fall 2028; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author and illustrator.
Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to Cheers for Ears by Laura Bower (l.), illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. The picture book explores ears—big, furry, pointy, and more—on animals from elephants to rabbits to bats and how they keep these creatures cool, calm, and connected in their worlds. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Mary Cummings at Great River Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Easter Birds by Ella Law (l.), illustrated by Alex Barrett, a bird's-eye view of the Easter story, rooted in the Holy Lands of the Middle East. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Flora Rees-Arredondo at CWLA and Collaborate Agency represented the author and the illustrator.
Lili Rosenstreich at Kalaniot Books has bought world rights to Hear Me Roar! I'm a Hanukkah-saur by Naomi Gruer (l.), illustrated by Mel Zohar, in which a dino-crazy kid hopes to roar his way through Hanukkah, but his dino-sized enthusiasm leads to big messes until he learns how to clean up, realizing "Dinos can do it!" Publication is set for fall 2026; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author, and Gary Swift at Lemonade Illustration represented the illustrator.
