Polo Orozco at Putnam has acquired Stops Along the Way by Anna Sortino (Give Me a Sign), a YA romance about a teenage girl picking up her sister from college, where she unexpectedly runs into her cute board-game rival. This encounter sparks something more when he tags along for the road trip home, but it can't fully distract from the rare diagnosis on her horizon. Publication is set for summer 2026, with another standalone YA romance slated for 2027; Kari Sutherland at KT Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.
Alison Romig at Delacorte Press has bought A Darkness Lives There, a YA speculative thriller by Rebekah Faubion (Lost Girls of Hollow Lake). In the enigmatic town of Foxglove, Olivia Beckett is determined to uncover the truth behind her mother's death. Her investigation leads her to Heath House, a place shrouded in mystery, where she discovers that her fate is intertwined with the house's dark legacy. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Katie Shea Boutillier at Donald Maas Agency sold world English rights.
Mora Couch at Holiday House has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Left on Read by Marissa Eller. In this YA rom-com, two academic rivals go head-to-head for the top spot in senior year, only to spectacularly burn out together and embark on a Total Life Reassessment—based on the author's experience of neurodivergence and chronic illness. Publication is scheduled for spring 2026; the author is now represented by Daniele Hunter at McIntosh and Otis.
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has bought world rights to illustrated YA novel Children of Owl by Newbery Honor author Darcie Little Badger (l.), illustrated by Abigail Rajunov. After Lipan Apache teenager Maisie sees the son of Owl, she knows it portends evil for one of her beloved cousins and that she must do anything to stop it from happening. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Michael Curry at Donald Maass Literary Agency represented the author, and Aliza R. Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristin Allard at Norton Young Readers has acquired Heartbreak and Other Organ Failures, a debut YA novel by Taylor Hobbs. When Kaley learns that her developmentally disabled older sister Zoey needs a new kidney but is at the bottom of the transplant list, the girls set off on a madcap family road trip to track down their estranged father, who may be a donor match. Publication is slated for August 2026; Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world rights.
Hannah Pierdolla at Wednesday Books has bought Cavern F(r)iend by Lene D. Buttner, a debut YA horroromance pitched as Andrew Joseph White meets Someone You Can Build a Nest In, in which a search-and-recovery guide with a monstrous secret is enlisted to retrieve the body of his bosses' son from the cursed sinkhole/amusement park where he works—only to find him alive and on a quest of his own. Publication is tentatively set for winter 2027; Eric Showers at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English right
Nick Magliato at Penguin Workshop has acquired an untitled middle grade debut by Emmy and Peabody Award–winning writer/producer Tim Hedrick (l.) (Avatar: The Last Airbender; Voltron) and New Yorker cartoonist Lars Kenseth. An allergy-ridden kid and his odoriferous crew of outcasts must face off against a fart-blasting caveman bent on bringing back the Ice Age. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Rick Richter at Aevitas Creative Management and Noah Ballard at Verve Talent and Literary sold world rights.
Marilyn Brigham at Amazon Crossing Kids has bought world English rights to two books in the Whispering Sea Mysteries series by Camilla Sten (l.) and Viveca Sten (c.), translated by A.A. Prime (r.). This middle grade series set in the Stockholm archipelago follows a tween girl who tries to unravel the mysteries when dangerous fogs move in and people near the water begin to disappear, and she discovers that only she holds the power to sending the evil forces back to the depths. Book one, The Secrets Below, is planned for January 2026, and book two, Beneath the Mists, will follow in October 2026. Elisabeth Nilsson at Nordin Agency represented the authors, and the translator represented herself.
Catherine Laudone at Beach Lane has acquired world rights to The Trailer Park Priest by Edgar Award winner Wesley King. In this middle grade mystery, 13-year-old diabetic and aspiring priest Waylon James begins advertising a "help offered" service at school—which leads him headlong into a missing persons case that will both challenge his idealistic views and inspire the community. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Brianne Johnson at HG Literary negotiated the deal.
Krista Vitola at Simon & Schuster has bought Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon, a middle grade novel in verse about Houdini, an octopus who lives in an aquarium and longs to return to the sea, and her friendship with the aquarium owner's daughter, Juno, who may be the only one able to help Houdini return home. Publication is set for fall 2026; Erin Sandiford at University of Queensland Press did the deal for U.S., Canada, and open market rights.
Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired The Distance Between Us, a middle grade novel in verse by Sita Jit (Divya Far from Home). After 13-year-old Shanti's estranged grandmother dies, Shanti discovers 13 letters—one for each day of the mourning period—written to her by her grandmother, revealing family history, family secrets, and family strengths. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Eric Smith at Neighborhood Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Catherine Frank at Peachtree has bought Poking the Bear, a middle grade novel in verse by Alma Fullerton (Flipping Forward Twisting Backward). Ten-year-old Bobi Jean Spry is in trouble, again—at school, on her hockey team, and with her best friends—because she can't manage her explosive temper. Scared she's following in the footsteps of her absent, angry father, Bobi Jean knows she has to change, or she'll lose everything. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Deborah Warren at East West Literary sold world rights.
Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop has acquired Bear's Friend by debut author-illustrator Katie Dwyer, a picture book about a bear who proudly introduces his new friend—a rock—to the forest animals, only to face doubt when the others don't understand their bond, in this fresh take on friendship, self-acceptance, and staying true to the ones we love. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.
Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow Books has bought North American English rights to Please Remove Your Shoes by Sydney Taylor Award winner Richard Ho (l.) (Year of the Cat; Two New Years), illustrated by Xuân Lan in her picture book debut. The picture book explores the custom of removing one's shoes upon entering an Asian home, drawing upon cultural traditions and practical considerations. Publication is set for winter 2027; Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Alyssa Mito Pusey at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to Sweet! by Chris Barton (l.) (Shark vs. Train), and Diane Earley has acquired world rights for illustration by Irene Chan. It's a non-sugarcoated nonfiction picture book about sweetness and sweeteners—sugar, honey, syrup, and all sorts of artificial alternatives—that examines how humanity's sweet tooth has evolved and continues to shape us. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.
Kristin Zelazko at Magination Press has bought world rights to Jeff O'Lantern by Charlie Greenwald (l.), illustrated by Jelke van Antwerpen, in which a sweet little pumpkin shows his big brother Jack that Halloween is about more than being scary. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Amy Thrall Flynn at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Ethan Long at Tugeau2 represented the illustrator.
Melissa Manlove at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Hush Little Witchling by Diana Murray (l.) (the Unicorn Day series), illustrated by Laan Cham (Zombie and Brain Are Friends), a rhyming picture book that follows two little witchlings who pull a switcheroo on their patient grannies and trade magical bedtime routines, until each drifts off to sleep in her own bed. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary represented the author, and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Carolyn Yoder at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to two nonfiction picture books by Sarah Aronson (l.) The first of the two is Sidelined: Marty Glickman's Race for Justice, illustrated by Il Sung Na, the story of track and field star Marty Glickman, who was chosen for the 1936 Olympics team but was pulled from his relay event at the last minute. Publication is set for fall 2027; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
Katherine ten Hagen at Magination Press has acquired Henry Gets Homesick by Seamus Kirst (l.) (Papa, Daddy & Riley), illustrated by Catherine Collingridge. The picture book follows Henry to a sleepaway summer camp where he struggles with a tough case of homesickness. Through both talks with his counselor and friends and reassuring letters from his dads and sister, Henry finds the strength to not just make it through, but to enjoy, his week at camp. Publication is planned for spring 2026; Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.
Michele McAvoy at The Little Press has bought world rights to Mr. Salisbury Pete: The Construction Site by Katie Joy Blake (l.), illustrated by Gul Sari. Hasty decisions lead to unexpected—and outrageous—consequences when Mr. Salisbury Pete discovers that removing one stick from a construction site can impact everything. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; the author and illustrator represented themselves.
Stephanie Wheeler at Spinning Wheel Stories has acquired world rights to Imperfectly Perfect Posey by Lizzie Brooks (l.), illustrated by Enni Heikura, a picture book about a girl who succeeds at every activity she tries, until she goes to yoga class and must learn to strive for joy rather than perfection. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Jen Newens at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and Lori Nowicki and Gabry Crivilare at Painted Words represented the illustrator.
