Nicole Fiorica at McElderry Books has acquired Prank Night by Kelly Coon, a YA thriller pitched as One of Us Is Lying meets Five Survive. When a group of teens break into school after hours to pull off a harmless senior prank, the night turns sinister when they stumble upon a dead body, and find themselves locked in the school with the killer. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Uwe Stender at Triada US negotiated the deal for world rights.
Vanessa Aguirre at Wednesday Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, in a two-book deal, The Raven Engagement by Philip K. Dick Award winner Alison Stine (Dust), first in a YA fantasy duology pitched as The Magicians meets Labyrinth, in which the daughter of a cult writer finds a way into the fantasy kingdom of her mother's books, meeting a dangerous but alluring king who promises her everything. But when both the kingdom and the real world begin to destroy each other, she realizes the fairy tale may be darker than she thought. Publication is set for winter 2027; Eric Smith sold world English rights while at P.S. Literary Agency.
Claire Stetzer at Amulet has acquired Rebecca E.F. Barone's fiction debut, Mind Not the Timid. Amid the upheaval of WWI in 1917 Washington, D.C., 18-year-old Lily decides to fight for the right to vote. As those around her insist she reject the suffragists, and as she's confronted with brutal violence, Lily must decide how far she will go to have her voice be heard. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret sold world English rights.
Kristin Allard at Norton Young Readers has bought The Monsters We Made by Peyton June (Bad Creek), a queer, X-Files-inspired paranormal thriller. After a small town's local cryptid makes a bloody reappearance, Claire and Lenny must uncover the truth about Old Lucky's origins and the town's dark history—and not fall in love in the process. Publication is slated for June 2026; Miriam Cortinovis while at ArtHouse Literary did the deal for world rights.
Alex Borbolla at Bloomsbury has acquired A Missing Frame of Time by Alexis Castellanos. In this gothic YA novel pitched as Divine Rivals meets The Hacienda, modern-day Camila is transported to 1895 Cuba, where she must solve a centuries-old family mystery to return to her time, discovering dark secrets, magic, and love along the way. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights.
Hannah Hill at Delacorte Romance has bought A Jingle Bell Birthday by Tif Marcelo (The Holiday Switch). In this cozy enemies-to-lovers romance set in the fictional town of Holly, N.Y., two teens looking forward to a festive winter break find out that they must spend their days at a ski lodge with the person they love to hate, while planning a traditional Filipino 18th birthday party. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Rachel Brooks at BookEnds negotiated the deal for world rights.
Ashley Hearn at Peachtree Teen has acquired world rights to The Mermaid of Warsaw, the first prose novel by R.M. Romero (The Ghosts of Rose Hill), merging the real history of the Warsaw Uprising with Polish folklore, pitched as "The Little Mermaid" meets Where the Dark Stands Still, in which Shimon, a Jewish boy living under false Aryan papers, teams up with a mermaid who bargained with Baba Jaga for a pair of legs to fight the German occupation. Publication is set for summer 2027; Patricia Nelson at Looking Glass Literary did the deal while at Marsal Lyon Literary.
Kel McDonald at Iron Circus has bought world rights for Sleeping Wizards by Rusty Marcum (l.), illustrated by Johanna Taylor (The Ghostkeeper), a YA graphic novel in which two comatose wizards' dreams manifest deadly monsters in each other's kingdoms, and a determined Keeper must navigate treacherous alliances and confront ancient evils to protect her land. Publication is slated for spring 2027; the author represented himself, and Laurel Symonds at KT Literary represented the illustrator.
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world English rights to four books in a middle-grade graphic novel series called The Friend Group. Nope, Brag, Mood, and Blab, written by Emmy nominee Lasette Canady (l.) and illustrated by Sarah Nicole Kennedy, follow four female friends through the ups and downs of life in middle school. In Nope, Eve sets out on a mission to find out why her mother is so strict, and learns a thing or two about herself along the way; publication is set for winter 2028, with the other books to follow one per year. Heather Jackson at Heather Jackson Literary Agency represented the author, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.
Kelly Delaney at Random House has bought Not Just a Stage by Kelsey B. Toney (The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on Tuesday), an upper middle grade novel about music-lover Sunny, who is torn between musical theater and her rock band, The Pulled Petals—and between her feelings for Kennedy, a fellow castmate, and Carlos, the lead singer of the band. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Moe Ferrara at Triada US sold world rights.
Jessica Anderson at Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books has acquired world rights to Dawn of the Axolotl and Rise of the Rebels, books one and two in The Last Immortals series by Kit Brooks, an epic middle grade fantasy starring the X-Men of the sea: axolotls. Publication of both books is planned for summer 2026.
Kei Nakatsuka at Bloomsbury has bought The Magic Library of Waterfall Way by Julie Abe (Eva Evergreen; Semi-Magical Witch), a cozy middle grade fantasy pitched as Greenwild meets Kiki's Delivery Service, in which a wandering girl cursed with bad luck must save an enchanted library to find her forever home. Publication is slated for spring 2026; Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic did the two-book deal for world English rights.
Dana Leydig at Viking has acquired debut author-illustrator Maya P. Lim's The Story of Leo Lionni, a picture book biography of the four-time Caldecott Honor-winning children's book creator, detailing his life from youth to adulthood as he moved from Amsterdam to Italy to the U.S., exploring how he confronted creative censorship, and ultimately expressed his hopes for humanity through timeless animal fables for children. Publication is set for spring 2027; Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.
Krestyna Lypen at Post Wave has bought Liz Brizzi's author-illustrator debut, Milo and Twig. In this story of a boy and the bird he rescues, Milo must make a hard decision about the last thing his new best friend, Twig, needs to heal. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary Agency sold world rights.
Mary-Kate Gaudet at Little, Brown has acquired world rights to Happybaras, a picture book by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (l.), illustrated by Anne Appert, about two capybaras with different outlooks on life who take a trip to Alaska. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency represented the author, and Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the illustrator.
Donna Bray at Macmillan/Balzer + Bray has bought, in an exclusive submission, Slowly and Shirley and a second untitled book by Sesame Street muppeteer Spencer Lott (l.) and social worker Grace Townley. A turtle named Slowly is a devoted friend to a turtle named Shirley, but when Shirley's letters stop coming, Slowly races off on a wild adventure to rescue her—as fast as a turtle can. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Moe Ferrara at Triada US did the deal for world rights.
Ian Tseng at Chronicle has acquired Hungry Ghosts! by debut picture book author Fiona Wong (l.), illustrated by Yan Gu (Bitter Tea and Rock Candy), in which a girl explores the traditions of the Hungry Ghost Festival with her family by traversing the spirit realm to learn the importance of remembering treasured time with her late grandmother. Publication is set for summer 2028; Ellen Goff at HG Literary represented the author, and Wendi Gu at HG Literary represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to In This Family by Andrew Hacket (l.), illustrated by Charlotte Ager, an affirming picture book that shows the guiding principles ensuring everyone feels they belong. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Jess Lomax at Inkling Illustration represented the illustrator.
Carolyn P. Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has acquired world rights to Rhythmically Royal!: Queen Lili‘uokalani Creates and Preserves Hawaiian Music by Caitlin DeLems (l.), illustrated by Yoko Tanaka, a nonfiction picture book about Hawai‘i's only queen, whose life of song and service led to the preservation of Hawaiian culture. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to Fly Rod Was First: Cornelia Crosby's Adventures in Angling by Cathy Ballou Mealey (l.), illustrated by Billie Michael, the true story of Cornelia "Fly Rod" Crosby, one of the country's first great fishing experts and guides—and famous newspaper writer. Publication is slated for April 2026; Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Associates represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Emma Hintzen at Sourcebooks Explore has acquired North American English rights to Baby Boot Camp by Sue Fliess (l.) and Ann Marie Stephens (c.) (So Many Books!), illustrated by Tiffany Everett (r.), a rhyming board book that encourages toddlers to have fun while exercising their brains and bodies by stretching, marching, jumping, and more. Publication is set for summer 2027; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented Fliess, Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented Stephens, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented Everett.
Stephanie Pitts at Putnam, in an exclusive submission, has acquired world rights to Bite Me by Jennifer Dugan (l.) (Coven; Full Shift), illustrated by Kit Seaton, a sapphic supernatural YA graphic novel about a newly turned teen vampire whose longtime crush turns out to be a slayer. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented the author, and Ben Grange at L. Perkins Agency represented the illustrator.
Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has bought, in a preempt, My Own Kind of Person by Tim Manley, a queer coming-of-age debut about a teenage stand-up comic whose shot at a career-making contest is complicated by his spiraling mental health and a growing connection with a boy who sees through his act, pitched for fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and John Green. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Melanie Figueroa at Root Literary sold world rights.
Shaina Olmanson while at Lerner/Zest acquired world rights to Witness: Poems to Address the Past, Present, and Future of Policing, a YA poetry anthology compiled by McKnight fellow Ty Chapman (l.) and Pura Belpré Award-winning author Ari Tison (c.), illustrated by Damon Davis (r.). The book presents more than 30 voices including Ada Limón, Mariama Lockington, Erin Entrada Kelly, Tae Keller, Kekla Magoon, Junauda Petrus, Bao Phi, Aida Salazar, Danez Smith, Jason Reynolds, and Laura Ruby. Carol Hinz will edit; publication is set for fall 2026. Savannah Brooks at KT Literary represented Chapman, Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary represented Tison, and sophie lipman represented Davis; Chapman is now represented by Sara Crowe.
Kate Fletcher at Candlewick has bought, in a preempt, world rights to We Used to Be Friends by Marcy Campbell (l.), illustrated by Aimée Sicuro. This picture book explores what happens when a friendship has run its course and the range of emotions experienced during the healing process that follows. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Andrea Morrison at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Rotem Moscovich at Knopf has acquired world rights to Home, Sweet, Apple by Kate Hoefler (l.), illustrated by Breanna Carzoo, a picture book about a bug who invites his friends over for a housewarming party, but things go topsy-turvy when his new apple home falls from a tree. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Steven Malk at Writers House represented the author, and Jennifer Rofé at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Smith at Workman Kids has bought world rights to Zenguin, a picture book by Bank Street Award-winning author Danna Smith (l.), illustrated by Sydney Hanson, a story set in a busy and hectic Antarctic, where Penguin learns to control his anxiety with his own Zen techniques—going from Penguin to Zenguin. Publication is slated for January 2026; Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Alisha Niehaus Berger and Alex Robertson at NorthSouth/NorteSur have acquired Fabulous Creatures: Legendary Animals from Around the World by Cornelia Funke (l.) (the Inkheart series), illustrated by debut illustrator Ruby Warnecke, a picture book of fascinating imaginary creatures from across the globe. Publication is planned for spring 2026 in English and Spanish simultaneously; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Michael Yuen-Killick at Red Comet Press has bought world rights to One Word by Andrew Hacket (l.), illustrated by Kirk Parrish, about the power of words and how they can change community, especially with regard to building friendships. Publication is set for spring 2028; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency represented the author, and Justin Rucker at Shannon Associates represented the illustrator.
Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has acquired world English rights to A Puppy Like Yours, a picture book by Frank Murphy (l.) and Carla Murphy (c.), illustrated by Kayla Harren (r.), which celebrates all the puppies out there and the ways they change our lives for the better. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; the authors represented themselves, and Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Alex Aceves at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Trading Trash for Trees by Jacqueline Johnson (l.), illustrated by Remi Jose, for the Books for a Better Earth collection. This nonfiction picture book is about an organization in Kenya that collects plastic containers littering the local beaches and repurposes them as nurseries to propagate mangrove seedlings. Publication is slated for spring 2027. Jennifer Harrington while at Harvey Klinger represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Karen Chan at Gloo Books has bought world rights to A Bike Is Just a Bike by Brenna Jeanneret (l.), illustrated by Michelle Pereira. This picture book explores the bicycle as a symbol of freedom and defiance for women in the 1800s and a celebration of movement—toward independence, empowerment, and a world where every girl can ride free. Publication is planned for spring/summer 2026; Shannon Belcastro at Belcastro Agency represented the author, and the Jacky Winter Group represented the illustrator.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Piper and May Take a Breath by author-illustrator Sarah Noble, a picture book about two fox friends: one who has anxiety and is more cautious, the other who is more carefree and goes with the flow. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency negotiated the deal.
Krestyna Lypen at Post Wave has bought author-illustrator Caroline McPherson's Little Mouse's Star and a second unnamed book. A tiny mouse sets out into a vast and treacherous world to claim a star of his very own, only to discover that each star he encounters is just out of reach, until a touch of Christmas magic and a shift in perspective show him that he's never too small to dream big. Publication is set for fall 2026; Kelly Dyksterhouse at Tobias Literary Agency sold world rights.
Susan Pi at Rebel Goose Books has acquired world rights to The Last Tiger, a wordless picture book by Yunyi Dai in which a solitary tiger lands on a mysterious island of black and orange cats, hoping to find another like her. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Elisa Leung at Marlena Agency did the deal.
