 |
|||
|
|||
|
In the Spotlight
 Norton Waverly Imprint Expands Publisher’s Children’s Book ReachW.W. Norton & Company has announced the spring 2027 launch of a new trade imprint, Norton Waverly. Karen Lotz, who joined the company in September 2025 as director of children’s books and strategic development, will helm the imprint—the first to be added to the publishing house since Norton Young Readers launched in 2019. The debut list will feature titles from prominent authors including two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. more  In the News
 Children’s Authors Sue L.A. After Library Cancels ‘Read Palestine Week’ Event On September 28, authors Jenan A. Matari (l.) and Nora Lester Murad filed a state lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, alleging anti-Palestinian discrimination, violation of their right to free speech, and breach of contract, in response to the Los Angeles Public Library’s cancelation of a December 2025 event where the two writers were scheduled to speak about their children’s books featuring Palestinian stories. more Book News
 Maryland Lore Inspires Picture Book ‘Black Cat Island’ Inspired by a 19th-century Chesapeake Bay legend, Casey Cep and Kathryn Schulz, two journalists who are staff writers at the New Yorker, have written a picture book about felines in peril. Black Cat Island: An Almost Entirely True Story, illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Aaron Becker (Little, Brown, Apr. 2027), marks the Maryland-based couple’s debut as children’s authors. We spoke with them about the book’s intriguing backstory. more  Just Announced: Palestinian Middle Grade Collab ‘Watermelon Seeds’ We Need Diverse Books, in partnership with Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, has announced the forthcoming release of a middle grade novel-in-stories by a slate of Palestinian authors. The book is scheduled for May 18, 2027. more   On the Scene
 2026 Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day in PhotosDespite the rain, young readers and their families turned out in droves for the 21st Brooklyn Book Festival on September 26. Festival organizers pivoted to bring all author events indoors at Brooklyn Borough Hall and the Brooklyn Heights Library, where kids had the opportunity to meet more than 40 creators. Click through for highlights from the festivities. more In Conversation
 Laurie Keller and Christy Ottaviano We invited author-illustrator Laurie Keller (r.) and her editor Christy Ottaviano to discuss the joy behind their longtime collaboration, and Keller’s latest picture book, Clem Clam the Class Clown (Oct. 6, Little, Brown/Ottaviano), which marks their 20th book together. more Four Questions
 ‘Care and Intention’: PW Talks with Renée Watson The Newbery Medalist returns with Everything New Again (Bloomsbury, Oct. 13), a YA novel rooted in the real history of the Black migration to the Pacific Northwest. In a recent interview, Watson discussed her interest in Black history in this region, and how she approaches writing fractured parents. more  ‘Writing Through Things’: PW Talks with Nic Stone Almost 10 years after her YA breakout title, Dear Martin, Stone returns to that world with a new middle grade spin-off, Dasia (Forever) (Crown, Oct. 6). We spoke with the author about the personal connection that inspired her to write about young people facing illness, and how she brought poetry into her work for the first time. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of October 5 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book about the friendship between a horse and a rider, an illustrated nonfiction book highlighting queer history, a YA romance debut inspired by a classic movie, and more. more In Brief
 In Brief: October 1, 2026Recently, collaborators dropped by a chess club to commemorate their new book, a local book festival took place, cartoonists shared their comics-inspired project, readers gathered for an author-illustrator’s presentation, and more. more
Rights Report
 Sarah Barley at S&S/Sarah Barley Books has acquired, in a preempt, Ravish, a gothic romantic fantasy, and an untitled second novel by William C. Morris and Edgar Award-winning author Elizabeth C. Bunce (A Curse Dark as Gold; the Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries). In Ravish, inspired by the Bluebeard and Mr. Fox fairy tales, rebellious Alice Merchant is banished to the remote village of Thornhill, where she is irresistibly drawn to a brooding lord, only to discover his castle's history of disappearing brides and a dark enchanted realm whose secrets she must unravel or share the lost young women's fate. Publication is set for fall 2027; Elise Howard at DeFiore & Company sold North American rights.  Britt Rubiano at Random House has bought Always a Corpse Bride by Kendare Blake, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Publishing. Inspired by Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, this YA gothic fantasy is filled with the macabre, intrigue, and a dash of revenge. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Emily van Beek at Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management negotiated the deal for world rights.  Bethany Vinhateiro at Clarion Books has acquired Scared Smitten by Sarah Hutt (The Secret Santa Setup), a Halloween countdown romance with 31 sealed chapters, about two teens who aren't scared of anything—except getting too close—while working together at a haunted house pumpkin farm to solve a witchy history mystery. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights.  Emily Shapiro at Labyrinth Road has bought world rights to Teresa Decher's How to Kill a Dead Girl, a YA paranormal fantasy about a 17-year-old artist with the power to resurrect the dead through her artwork and the boy she swore to hate who may be her only chance at stopping the monster she unleashed, pitched as Jennifer's Body meets Belladonna meets Sawkill Girls. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Dorian Maffei negotiated the two-book deal while at Kimberley Cameron & Associates.  Kristin Allard at Norton Young Readers has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Alex Ritany's Father Forgive Them, a twisty speculative horror novel about a trans boy who comes out to his loving boyfriend, only for his confession to be eerily forgotten the next day. Forced to repeatedly come out to increasingly aggressive and prejudiced responses, he must confront the truth about who—or what—his boyfriend has become. Publication is set for fall 2027; Jenna Satterthwaite at Storm Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Fire has bought world English rights to P.S. Don't Fall in Love by Jenna Evans Welch (Love & Gelato). Inspired by the film The Holiday, 16-year-old L.A. native Birdie Taylor-Hughes trades lives with New Yorker Mabel DeRossi for the summer. Birdie is prepared for anything—except the possibility of falling in love. Publication is scheduled for summer 2028; Lauris Liss at Sterling Lord Literistic represented the author.  Kara Sargent at Simon Pulse has acquired Warmbloods by Rachel Peterson (Killing Sadie), a story of murder, rivalry, romance and scandal at an elite Berkshires equestrian camp for the most talented and ruthless teen riders in the country. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Emily Sylvan Kim at Prospect Agency negotiated the deal.  Mekisha Telfer at FSG has bought world rights to Some Like It Spartan by A.C. McKay, illustrated by Lauren Mugford, a queer YA graphic novel pitched as Some Like It Hot meets She's the Man, following two teen girls who witness a crime and attempt to lie low by disguising themselves as competitors in the all-male Ultimate Warrior Championship Games. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Kaitlyn Katsoupis at Belcastro Agency represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Walker Books Group has acquired The Book of Curses, a darkly comic middle grade fantasy series by National Jewish Book Award winner Sarah Blake (l.), illustrated by Jake Wyatt, pitched as A Series of Unfortunate Events meets Greenglass House, in which two children are taught by their glamorously eccentric aunt to lift curses from everyday objects—the witchy family business—with unpredictable and sometimes uncontrollable results. Publication will begin in fall 2027; Rena Rossner while at the Deborah Harris Agency represented the author, and Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management represented the illustrator. The book will be published simultaneously in the U.S. by Holiday House and in the U.K. by Walker Books, and distributed in Australia by Walker Books.  Krista Vitola at Simon and Schuster and Yashaswi Kesanakurthy at Simon and Schuster Canada have bought two middle grade books by Jesset Karlen. The first book, Place Between Words, is a story about a boy named Quill, tasked with retrieving Death's lost power and bringing balance to the fantastical and dangerous world of the Hollow, guided only by his courage and a mysterious new friend. Publication is set for fall 2027; Courtney Donovan at Writers House did the deal for North American rights.  Erin Clarke at Clarion has acquired The Escaped Bear by Sheela Chari (l.), illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. In this middle grade novel, a 10-year-old girl running away from a problem at school befriends a talking bear and they set off to see the landmarks of San Francisco, but zookeepers are hot on their trail, and neither can outrun their problems for long. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Steven Malk at Writers House negotiated the deal for North American rights.  Lisa Lauria at Simon and Schuster has bought world rights to On the Job, a Level 2 Ready-to-Read series by Ellen Labrecque (l.), illustrated by Josh Abraham. Publication will begin in summer 2027 with Carpenter's Edition and Plumber's Edition; the author represented herself, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Donna Bray at Macmillan Balzer + Bray has acquired Flamarion the Dragon, a picture book by Wallace West (illustrator of the Dogtown series), about a dragon determined to find a way to surround himself with flowers, even though they send him into fits of fiery sneezes. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Tara Walker at Tundra Books has bought Lady Rabbit Presents Potato: A Book That Can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo. In a magic performance, Lady Rabbit transforms this book into a series of illusions, including a card trick, a crystal ball and an interactive guessing game as her finale. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Debbie Bibo at Debbie Bibo Agency sold world rights.  Rebecca Frazer at Chronicle has acquired world rights to Residents Only by Rose Marie Walano (l.), illustrated by Thai My Phuong, a picture book featuring a plucky protagonist who advocates for opening the gates of a private park for all her community to enjoy. Publication is slated for fall 2028; Christie Megill represented the author and Christy Ewers represented the illustrator, both at the CAT Agency.  Lois Evans at Knopf has bought world rights to Appa's Eighteen Wheels by Jessica Yoon (l.), illustrated by Cat Min, in which a boy counts the days until his trucker father's return from a long work trip spent driving his 18-wheeler across the country, in this love letter to immigrant parents. Publication is set for summer 2028; Brent Taylor at July First Literary represented the author while at Triada US, and Maria Vicente at P.S. Literary Agency represented the illustrator.  Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop has acquired world rights to Cozy Cactus: And Other Unexpected Wonders by Charlotte Gunnufson (l.) (School Spirits; Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution), illustrated by Karen Obuhanych, featuring rhyming text that introduces young readers to real paradoxes in nature. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028; Sam Farkas at Jill Grinberg Literary Management represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Gabriela Baron at Charlesbridge has bought world rights to Harper's Chrismukkah Choice by Rachel Shupin (l.), and Ellie Erhart has acquired world rights for illustration by Noa Kelner. This picture book follows an interfaith child's heartfelt (and humorous) journey of identity and belonging in the days leading up to her family's annual Chrismukkah party. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Marisa Cleveland at the Seymour Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.  Katie Scott at Kids Can Press has acquired Always, a board book by Farida Zaman, which celebrates the many ways mother animals nurture, comfort, teach, and protect the offspring they love. Publication is scheduled for spring 2029; Essie White at Essie White Literary sold world rights.  Naomi Shulman at PJ Publishing has bought limited world rights to The Ark by Raaya Karas. In this picture book, different animals aboard Noah's Ark wonder why a window has been left open, and who was foolish—or brave—enough to do it. Publication is tentatively slated for spring 2028; the author-illustrator represented herself. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  Little Tractor’s YearAshley Wolff. Beach Lane, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-6659-7113-3 The cheerful green protagonist of this good-natured farm chronicle by Wolff demonstrates that small can be exactly the right size. Month by month, the lightly anthropomorphized tractor, which sports googly eyes and a satisfied smile, makes itself indispensable. Direct, upbeat, and quietly reassuring that everything has its season and everyone their part, it’s a book that, like the little tractor, pulls its weight and then some. more  Teach Me to PreyJenni Howell. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $20.99 (400p) ISBN 978-1-250-33461-9 “An eye for an eye” takes on new meaning in this tantalizing psychological thriller. To save her dying younger sister Celeste, teen Tara Corbane makes a deal with the demon named Thorn: carve the heart from a person of Thorn's choosing in exchange for keeping Celeste alive. Elsewhere, teenage Rian Connach searches for his girlfriend’s murderer. His path collides with Tara’s when Thorn’s next selection turns out to be Rian. more  The Last King of Faerie (The Wicked Powers #1)Cassandra Clare. Knopf, $28.99 (576p) ISBN 978-0-593-90347-6 Clare kicks off the concluding trilogy of the Shadowhunter Chronicles with a sweeping, high-stakes epic in which numerous demon slayers mysteriously vanish. Action, intrigue, humor, and romance buoy a plot that’s populated by keenly drawn, intersectionally diverse characters. Longtime series fans will be richly rewarded by this vibrant offering. more  Our Periods, OurselvesMathangi Subramanian. Bloomsbury Academic, $25.95 paper (208p) ISBN 979-8-216-20190-8 In this thoughtful and affirming work, educator Subramanian examines how identity, as well as culture and society, impact how young people experience menstruation and offers an inclusive guide to understanding periods’ unique role in every menstruator’s life. Frank, concise language describes different period products and their physical and environmental impacts. This comprehensive, sensitive, and thorough exploration of menstruation and its ramifications for every body sets a new standard for informed self-care. more  When Shadows BurnVanessa Le. Holt, $22.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-250-42047-3 Le combines dark academia thrills and nail-biting mystery in this mesmerizing fantasy duology launch. Gumshoe detective intrigue and spectacular action sequences set a breathtaking pace, while depictions of academic burnout and complex family dynamics form a weighty emotional core. This story fires on all cylinders and will leave readers hungry for more. more |
October 1, 2026
 < | ||
