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In Conversation
 Matthew Burgess and Doug Salati Matthew Burgess (l.) is a poet and author whose picture books include Enormous Smallness: A Story of E.E. Cummings and As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts. A 2015 Sendak Fellow, Doug Salati is the author-illustrator of Hot Dog, for which he received the 2023 Caldecott Medal and the Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award. Burgess and Salati spoke with each other about their collaboration on Words with Wings and Magic Things—an illustrated poetry collection in the spirit of Shel Silverstein—and the liberating power of verse. more  Cover Reveal
 'War Games' and 'Refugee: The Graphic Novel'2025 will be an especially busy year for author Alan Gratz. Two new middle grade books, whose covers are seen here for the first time, are due from Scholastic on October 7: War Games, a novel set during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin; and a graphic novel adaptation of Refugee, about three young refugees from different countries and eras. more   Book News
 Scholastic Harnesses Buzz Around 'Sunrise on the Reaping' It’s no overstatement to say that Suzanne Collins’s Sunrise on the Reaping, her latest return to the world of the Hunger Games, is one of the most highly anticipated children’s book releases this year. As the series launches into a new era on March 18, Scholastic has plenty of plans to ensure that the rollout satisfies fans. more Publisher News
 Chooseco to Reprint ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Launch TitleEdward Packard’s The Cave of Time, which kicked off the Choose Your Own Adventure series in 1979, will return to print after 25 years on August 5, when Chooseco reissues the interactive novel. The new edition of this title, which has sold more than 17 million copies since its first appearance, will feature the original cover art and line illustrations by Paul Granger. more  Just Announced
 'We Fell Apart' by E. LockhartTen years after the release of her bestseller We Were Liars, which became a TikTok sensation, E. Lockhart returns to the same universe in her new YA psychological thriller We Fell Apart, out from Delacorte Press on November 4. Fans can also look forward to seeing the characters of We Were Liars hit the screen with the Amazon Prime adaptation set to release in June. more Four Questions
 James RobinsonIn his middle grade debut, Whale Eyes, James Robinson uses optical exercises and personal recollections to explain how he perceives the world due to an eye condition—strabismus with alternating extropia, which he nicknamed “whale eyes” as a child. Robinson spoke with us about how his memoir evolved from a video documentary, reframing disability, and writing his first draft on video animation software. Q: After feeling excluded from reading books as a child, what led you to love storytelling? A: Reading was always a difficulty throughout my childhood. I would hear classmates talking about this excitement they had in the books they were reading, and I wasn’t feeling that myself. What made storytelling come alive was filmmaking. My family had a TV, but it lived in the basement and came out once a year for the Super Bowl. When I was 10 or 11, and I asked to see a documentary for the first time, I was really moved. It felt like all the things that reading was supposed to do. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of March 17 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book about a bear dealing with noisy neighbors, a middle grade book about an orphaned tween trying to break a curse, a YA duology conclusion about the lengths one healer will go to bring a friend back from death, and more. more In Brief
 In Brief: March 13, 2025Recently, young readers experienced a picture book coming to life via an art installation, an author and an illustrator came together for a storytime, a publisher celebrated authors at a conference, and an author gave a reading of a highly anticipated companion book. more
Rights Report
 Andrea Tompa at Candlewick Press has acquired On a Winter's Night, a collection of original tales by Kate DiCamillo (l.), illustrated by fine artist Noah Saterstrom, to be published globally in fall 2027. Reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, DiCamillo's stories take readers from ancient cathedrals and moonlit fields to department stores and church basements, with each linked to the others in surprising and profound ways. The full-color art marks Saterstrom's debut book collaboration. Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties represented the author and artist in the deal for world rights in all languages.  Gretchen Durning at Putnam has bought, at auction, Of Blood and Brine, a YA fantasy duology by debut author Lindsey Olsson. For fans of Ava Reid and Kristen Ciccarelli, the book follows a girl with the ability to sniff out illegal magic who finds herself thrown into the path of a royal guard on the hunt for the most dangerous witch of a generation, drawing both into a cat and mouse game in a tale of magic, romance, and betrayal. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Danielle Burby at Mad Woman Literary Agency did the six-figure, two-book deal for North American rights.  Samantha Palazzi at Scholastic has acquired We Need Diverse Books mentorship finalist Krystle Brantzeg's debut Indoor Girl, a contemporary YA romance. Pitched for fans of Jenny Han and Mariama J. Lockington, the story follows Keysa Perrault, a Filipina American teenage bookworm who is homeschooled and housebound due to her mother's grief-rooted agoraphobia and "parentnoia." When she has an unlikely meet-cute with a Korean American high school volleyball star whose grades have tanked due to his own recent loss, the two find love and unexpected healing between clandestine tutoring sessions and late-night joyrides—but they will have to rely on their broader community to help Keysa and her mother if they want to bring their relationship into the light of day. Publication is tentatively set for fall 2026; Larissa Melo Pienkowski sold North American rights while at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.  Nicole Ellul at Simon & Schuster has bought Charlotte Ingham's debut novel A Match Made in Hell, a fantasy romance in which a woman makes a deal with the Devil to escape a hell dimension on the brink of collapse—only to fall for him instead. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Maddalena Cavaciuti at David Higham Associates brokered the two-book deal for North American rights.  Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has acquired world rights to Rebellious: The Life and Art of Keith Haring by Michael G. Long (More Than a Dream with Yohuru Williams). The first exploration of Keith Haring's life for young adults, Rebellious uses 12 key images to create a non-linear portrait of Keith Haring's biography, his artistic development, and his use of art to further social causes. Publication is slated for summer 2026; John Rudolph at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal.  Tara Weikum and Sarah Homer at Storytide have bought Worse Than the Others by Mackenzie Reed (The Rosewood Hunt), a YA thriller about a rising true crime YouTuber who gets trapped in an abandoned hotel with five other teen suspects and must solve puzzles to catch a murderer in their midst by dawn, or they'll all die. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Amy Bishop-Wycisk at Trellis Literary Management did the two-book deal for world English rights.  Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab has acquired North American English rights to When It's Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri (All That It Ever Meant). When 15-year-old Chianti finds out her dad isn't her biological father, she goes to stay with her eccentric grandmother and uncovers more secrets—along with a new definition of "family." Publication is set for spring 2026; Ruth Logan at Accord Literary handled the deal.  David Robertson and Peter Phillips at Tundra/Swift Water Books have bought Fight Song by Kirk Van Brunt, an Indigenous writer. The YA novel follows Nopika, a teenage girl and hockey star who is on the run from the Canadian authorities and her last set of horrendous foster parents, and who must overcome systemic neglect and abuse to accomplish her dreams. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Steven Chudney at the Chudney Agency sold world rights.  Meg Gaertner at Flux has acquired Accelerant by T.L. Simpson (Strong Like You; Cope Field). In this YA contemporary, setv against the backdrop of wildfires plaguing rural Missouri, two brothers reunited after their family's separation confront one another across ideological lines, as one faces radicalization by a white supremacist criminal organization, and the other seeks revenge against that same group for attacking his friend's Pride demonstration. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Shari Maurer at Stringer Literary Agency sold world rights.  Jessica Anderson at Little, Brown/Ottaviano has bought world rights to The Doll People: A Graphic Novel by Ann M. Martin (top l.) and Laura Godwin (top r.), with text adapted by Ivy Noelle Weir (bottom l.), and illustrated by Sarah Nicole Kennedy (bottom r.). Starring a 100-year-old doll who discovers thrilling adventures and surprising friendships, this middle grade graphic novel is planned for fall 2028. Amy Berkower at Writers House represented the co-authors, Anjali Singh at Anjali Singh Agency represented the adapter, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the artist.  Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has acquired North American rights to Get Rich, Quick!: A Legendary Swindler, A Crooked Century, and the Art of the Confidence Game by Nicholas Day (l.), illustrated by Brett Helquist, the team behind the Sibert Award-winning The Mona Lisa Vanishes, as well as a second book by Day. This narrative nonfiction follows Italian immigrant Charles Ponzi's rise and fall and traces how the confidence game was deeply embedded in American life from the beginning. Publication is set for spring 2027; Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.  Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has bought Just Ask Elsie by Ari Koontz, a debut middle grade novel about 11-year-old Elsie Parker, who is frustrated by her school's lack of accessible and inclusive puberty education, so she decides to spread the word herself—even if it means fighting against the principal's attempts to silence her. Publication is tentatively scheduled for spring/summer 2026; Serene Hakim at Ayesha Pande Literary sold world English rights.  Claire Tattersfield at Viking has acquired, in a preempt, The Gnome's Tale, a middle grade graphic novel by Sarah McColl, in which a carefree gnome named Dindle journeys across the Elderwild Wood in search of his pet mushbun, and encounters sea monsters, fairies, and jousts along the way. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Stephanie Winter at KO Media Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Samia Garcia-Fakih at First Second has bought Zahir and the Secluded Heart by Pamela G. Nunez-Trejo, a middle grade graphic novel about a boy who feels alienated in his new town, and can't access his magic as a result of his sealed-off heart. Publication is planned for 2028; Lane Clarke at Ultra Literary sold world rights.  Jasmine Hodge at Random House Graphic has acquired Rivals, a middle grade graphic novel by Cameron Chittock (l.), illustrated by Amanda Castillo (the Mapmakers series), about Miles and Anthony, two best friends who, after Miles's family moves, find themselves at different schools and on competing soccer teams, their bond tested as their desire to fit in—and to win—warps their friendship into a rivalry. Publication is set for summer 2027; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator for world rights.  Erika Turner at Little, Brown has bought world rights to A Story About Lines, a picture book by Maisha Oso (l.) (Before the Ships: Birth of Black Excellence; My Hair Is a Book), illustrated by Sophia Green. A girl's grandmother braids her hair, and with each cornrow line, her grandmother recounts lines throughout Black American history that mark a memory of a painful past while weaving in faith for a brighter future. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and illustrator.  Katherine Harrison at Knopf has acquired world rights to three books in the Caring Classroom series by Trudy Ludwig (l.) (The Invisible Boy), illustrated by Maribel Lechuga (Ten Beautiful Things), beginning with Thea's Perfect Mess. This young picture book series offers guidance and encouragement to build a kind and caring community, with themes ranging from first-day jitters to tattling to what makes a sincere apology. The first book will be published in summer 2026, with a book a year to follow; the author represented herself, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.  Alex Arnold at Quirk Books has bought author-illustrator Jaimie MacGibbon's This Time of Year picture book series, highlighting the memorable daily rituals of childhood that emerge as the seasons shape our lives. The first book, Snuggle Season, will publish in fall 2025, with Swimming Season, Growing Season, and Sweater Season to follow; Molly O'Neill at Root Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.  Grace Maccarone at Holiday House has acquired world rights to Trucks, Boots, and Bells: Firehouse Poems by Mary E. Cronin (l.), illustrated by Aaron Marin, a picture book in verse told from the perspective of a busy city firehouse celebrating the teamwork, tools, and tasks that keep their community safe. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Karen Boss at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Ege and Ávra by Evgenia Manikas (l.) and Elifgül Büyükoral (c.), and Kristen Nobles acquired world rights for illustration by Nazli Tarcan (r.). While fishing in the Aegean Sea with her grandfather, Ege, a girl from Türkiye, crosses paths with Ávra, a girl from Greece who's fishing with her grandfather. At first, the girls don't get along any better than their countries historically have, but soon they discover they have more in common than they thought. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Jenissa Graham at BookEnds Literary represented the authors, and Amy Milligan at Illo Agency represented the illustrator.  Alyza Liu at Simon and Schuster has acquired world rights to If Your Abuelo Is an Astronauta by Ana Siqueira (l.), illustrated by Irena Freitas, a picture book in which a boy mistakenly thinks his beloved grandfather is lost in space. Publication is set for spring 2026; Joyce Sweeney at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and Adriana Dominguez at Aevitas Creative Management represented the illustrator.  Marilyn Brigham at Amazon/Two Lions has bought world rights to Awesome of the Day by Ellen Javernick (l.) (What If Everybody Did That?), illustrated by Bhagya Madanasinghe. This picture book follows a boy who works to overcome the challenges in his day-to-day and find the "awesome" in every day. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; the author represented herself, and Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 represented the illustrator.  Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books has acquired world rights to Dear Math, We're Not Friends by Lina Chopra Haldar (l.), illustrated by Teresa Martinez, an epistolary picture book about a boy who writes letters to math over the course of a school year. As he slowly overcomes his anxiety and fears around math, he discovers that math is all around him and begins to appreciate it as a useful tool. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
 Little Big ManVarian Johnson, illus. by Reggie Brown. Orchard, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-338-80743-1 When Elijah welcomes his father home after a long day of waiting, the child is eager to take his new kite for a spin. But Elijah’s father has to cancel their weekend plans (“A new baby means extra work for everyone”), and he asks Elijah for help: “Think you can be my little big man tomorrow?” Elijah agrees, but a day without running, jumping, or yelling doesn’t sound like much fun, and the child’s best attempts all evening result in more messes than successes, rendered in onomatopoeic prose. more  Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the NileGeorge Jreije. HarperCollins, $19.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-06-338224-4 When 11-year-old Bashir Boutros accidentally bonds with a centuries-old jinn housed in a gold ring retrieved from the ocean, he becomes a target for evil entities eager to feed on his aura, the mystical force that exists in everything. After a power-hungry demon lord named Ali Adin kidnaps Bashir’s parents, Bashir must determine how to save his loved ones, even as he struggles to believe he has the ability to do so. more  The Wish SwitchLynn Painter. Little, Brown, $18.99 hardcover (320p) ISBN 978-0-316-57858-5; $8.99 paper ISBN 978-0-316-57857-8 Sixth grader Emma Rockford was raised to believe in the magic of a powerful faerie portal that purportedly grants wishes. While on a class field trip, Emma uses instructions left by her grandmother to find the portal so she and her friends can each make four secret wishes. At a crucial moment, they’re interrupted and later, Emma realizes that while her friends’ wishes have come true, her own seem to have benefitted interloper Jackson instead. | ||
