The Rev. Al Sharpton, ever a controversial political figure in New York, is to write a book, Al on America, for Kensington's Dafina imprint. Editorial director Karen Thomas bought U.S. and Canadian hard/soft rights from agent Manie Barron at William Morris, and will publish in October. In the book, to be written with New York Daily News columnist Karen Hunter, Sharpton, who is viewed as a possible presidential candidate next time around, will offer a provocative call for societal change and a vision of an America that is genuinely racially inclusive. Kensington publisher Laurie Parkin said it would be an important book, and "we expect nothing short of a tremendous national response to the ideas in it."