Eavesdropper by Jennifer Jenkins (Owl Hollow Press)
Hannah Smith at Owl Hollow Press has acquired world rights to Eavesdropper, a YA fantasy by Jennifer Jenkins.
When voices inside Ebony's head pull her into one bad situation after
another, she is sent away with a group of craftsmen to act as the
governor's ambassador to the country over the mountain. As she discovers
that the strange whispers may be the key to uncovering a plot to
destroy her homeland, she realizes they could prove her loyalty to her
people, or lead to her undoing. Publication is planned for spring 2022;
the author represented herself.
The Gamemaster's Society by Chelsea Ichaso (Sourcebooks Fire)
Eliza Swift at Sourcebooks Fire has acquired The Gamemaster's Society by Chelsea Ichaso (Little Creeping Things).
In this YA thriller, Maren joins her elite boarding school's secret
society in hopes of finding information about her missing best friend,
but when the society's games take a dark turn, she must figure out how
to win before someone winds up dead. Publication is slated for spring
2022; Uwe Stender at Triada US negotiated the two-book deal for world
English rights.
Untitled by Melissa de la Cruz (Putnam) - think this may be A Secret Princess, dated May 2022, but is still listed as a seperate book on Goodreads. See book below in Summer 2022 section.
Arianne Lewin at Putnam has bought world rights for two untitled books by bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz (The Descendants).
The YA novels will be romantic, historical retellings of classic
fairytales. Publication of the first, set in the court of Louis XIV at
Versailles, is slated for spring 2022.
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington (FSG)
Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired Forever Is Now and an untitled second book by Mariama J. Lockington (For Black Girls Like Me). Forever Is Now
is a YA novel in verse about mental health, first loves, and community
activism. When Sadie, a Black bisexual recluse, develops agoraphobia the
summer before her junior year, she relies on her best friend, family,
and therapist to overcome her fears. Publication is set for spring 2022;
Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world
rights.
Wild Jasmine by Chris Clarkson (Tu Books)
Stacy Whitman at Tu Books has bought Wild Jasmine by Chris Clarkson, pitched as The Perks of Being a Wallflower meets All Boys Aren't Blue.
The contemporary YA novel explores economic disparity, gender, and
mental health through the lens of a diverse ensemble cast in the
complicated, magical city of New Orleans. Publication is slated for
spring 2022; Rachel Brooks at BookEnds Literary did the deal for North
American rights.
Whites Only: The Civil Rights Movement In Poems by Erica Martin (Philomel) - YA non-fiction.
Liza
Kaplan at Philomel has acquired, in a four-house auction, world rights
to Erica Martin's debut YA nonfiction poetry collection, Whites Only:
The Civil Rights Movement
in poems, exploring this pivotal time in our nation's history through
both the commonly taught and lesser-known stories and figures of the
Civil Rights Movement. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Rena
Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the two-book deal.
Ghettostan by Humayun Khan (Penguin Teen Canada)
Lynne
Missen at Penguin Teen Canada has acquired North American rights to the
tentatively titled Ghettostan by debut author Humayun Khan,
in which the main character, Fawad, a teen boy living in Toronto, comes
of age with one eye on basketball and the other on the affluent
neighborhood across the street. Publication is slated for spring 2022;
Stacey Kondla at the Rights Factory negotiated the deal.
All the Way by Kelly Oxford (Delacorte)
Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, at auction, screenwriter-director Kelly Oxford's (Pink Skies Ahead) YA debut All the Way, pitched as Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants meets Booksmart,
plus a second, standalone novel. After learning that their classmate,
who recently passed away in a parasailing accident, died a virgin, Riley
and her friends vow to lose their virginities before the same fate can
befall them. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Erin Malone at
William Morris Endeavor negotiated the deal for North American rights.
Mall Goth by Kate Leth (Simon and Schuster)
Liz Kossnar, while at Simon & Schuster, acquired Kate Leth's Mall Goth;
Deeba Zargarpur will edit. The YA graphic novel, set in the early
2000s, follows angsty teen goth Liv as she navigates the highs and lows
of firsts—first out queer kid at school, first dead-end job as a store
mascot, and first love that garners the unwanted attention of her
teacher. Publication is scheduled for spring 2022; Jen Linnan at Linnan
Literary Management brokered the deal for world rights.
Untitled by Abdi Nazemian (Balzer + Bray) - moved from Spring 2021.
Alessandra Balzer at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has bought The Legacies and another YA novel by Stonewall Honor author Abdi Nazemian. The Legacies
follows five wildly different teens who confront their boarding
school's culture of abuse while facing their own demons in an exclusive
writing class. Publication is planned for spring 2021; John Cusick at
Folio Jr./Folio Literary Management did the deal for North American
rights.
Untitled by Jasjyot Singh Hans (Levine Querido)
Nick Thomas at Levine
Querido has acquired world rights to a YA graphic novel memoir from
Jasjyot Singh Hans, as yet untitled. This debut follows the artist's
life from New Delhi to Baltimore, including growing up Sikh, learning
how to catch a cricket ball and not die, learning to love his body,
becoming an artist, family traditions while watching TV soaps, coming
out, his loving and only the tiniest bit suffocating parents,
immigrating to the U.S., navigating dating apps, and more. Publication
is planned for spring 2022; the author represented himself.
The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes (Dial) - moved from Fall 2021, Goodreads not yet updated.
Morris Award finalist
Stephanie Oakes's THE MEADOWS, pitched as a YA 'Handmaid's Tale' meets
'Never Let Me Go', the story centers around a queer girl who has
pretended to "reform" following years in a government-sanctioned
conversion therapy center, but can't forget the girl she left behind,
and so resolves to find her, to Jessica Garrison at Dial, for
publication in fall 2021.
Untitled by Desmond Hall (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books)
"The story of two teens in difficult circumstances who are connected by a
mysterious death and a race against time with $500K on the line."
The Dragon’s Pearl by Elizabeth Lim (Knopf) - This is an old name for The Dragon's Promise, suspect that this title will be deleted from Goodreads in time.
Tomorrow y Mañana by Monica Gomez-Hira (HarperTeen) - title not yet updated on Goodreads.
"...Finds Ariana feeling liberated by playing the lead in her school’s gender-blind production of Hamlet."
The Runaway Diary by James Paterson and Emily Raymond (Jimmy Paterson Books)
"The story of two sisters—one who runs away from home and the other who
follows her to save them both—depicted in a YA graphic novel."
The Champions of Breakfast by Reed Black (Penguin Teen)
Penguin Teen on Twitter:
"Yes please!!! Pitched as Nimona meets Candyland in this YA graphic
novel from Reed Black, The Champions of Breakfast is perfect for foodie
pun lovers!"
The Shattered City by Lisa Maxwell (Simon Pulse)
"THE SERPENT'S CURSE
will now be the third book in the series, and it will be followed by a
fourth and final book (title to come). Once I know the title and have a
cover, I'll try to make sure my newsletter readers are the first to
know!
THE SERPENT'S CURSE will publish in early 2021. Book 4 will follow in Spring 2022."
Untitled by Nnendi Okorafor (PenguinTeen)
No releases currently scheduled.
Neverlanders by Tom Taylors and Jon Summariva (Penguin Random House) - YA Graphic Novel.
When Laena wakes in the hospital after her third suicide attempt, her family is desperate and out of solutions. Then, Dr. Neeler knocks on their door and tells them about a treatment center, Cabin Redemption, offering teens immersive, holistic therapy, complete with horses.
A week later, Laena
travels to Cabin Redemption in the rustic, untamed mountains of North
Carolina. She meets her eleven cabinmates, who have issues ranging from
obsessive-compulsive disorders and sociopathic personalities. She bonds
with the horses, four Friesian geldings as damaged and fragile as the
teens caring for them.
In the night, disaster strikes. The bridge
leading off the mountain is swept away by sudden flooding, and, due to
miscommunication, none of the adults remain on site.
The twelve
teens are left alone and tragedy ensues, putting them in a race against
time to solve the mystery and save themselves.
Of Starlight and Bone by Emily Layne (Owl Hollow Press)
Cinder meets Firefly in this dark, YA science-fiction series inspired by the original Roanoke Colony.
Aurelia
Peri is used to being an outsider. As if being the adopted daughter of
the galaxy’s most powerful man weren’t enough, she also has to deal with
the stigma of being part machine. Which is why she’s dead-set on
proving her worth. But when her first mission as a D.I.S.C. agent ends
disastrously, and then her suspect—a man accused of murdering and
cannibalizing his own family—proclaims innocence and launches himself
off the top of a building, she fears she’ll never be trusted with
another case.
Auri has doubts about the man’s guilt and is
certain there’s more to the case. She decides to dig deeper when her
superiors suddenly order her to drop it, and her surreptitious
investigation reveals a series of crimes she is convinced are connected.
Determined to uncover the truth, Auri discovers an unfathomable
darkness hidden in the depths of the galaxy. A darkness that threatens
everything she holds dear. A darkness connected to her own past. And
Auri’s involvement in the case doesn’t go unnoticed.
Something in the system has caught her scent and will stop at nothing to catch its prey.
Todo Sobre Mi Abuela by Rex Ogle (Norton Young Readers) - YA memoir-in-verse.
Simon
Boughton at Norton Young Readers has acquired Todo Sobre Mi Abuela, a
YA memoir-in-verse by YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Winner Rex
Ogle,
and a second untitled memoir. The story is centered on the author's
relationship with his grandmother. Publication for the first book is
slated for summer 2022, with the second to follow in fall 2023; Brent
Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal for world English rights.
Arlington Hall by Ellie Marney (Little, Brown) - think that this is likely The Killing Code (see September 2022), and this title will be changed/deleted in time.
Hannah Milton at Little, Brown has acquired, and Hallie Tibbetts will edit, Arlington Hall by None Shall Sleep author Ellie Marney,
a YA historical thriller about a female codebreaker during WWII who
must risk everything to track down a vicious serial killer who is
hunting other female government workers. Publication is planned for
summer 2022; Josh Adams at Adams Literary negotiated the deal for world
rights, excluding Australia/New Zealand.
This Is Not a Cookbook by Flynn McGarry (Delacorte) - YA non-fiction.
Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte has bought world rights to This Is Not a Cookbook, a nonfiction debut from Flynn McGarry (l.), the 22-year-old American chef, illustrated by Adil Dara.
Flynn explains how he discovered his passion for food and cooking at an
early age and how the process needs curiosity and creativity to thrive.
Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; the author and illustrator
were unagented.
Space Trash by Jenn Woodall (Oni Press) - YA graphic novel.
Ari Yarwood, formerly of Oni Press, bought world rights to Space Trash by Jenn Woodall;
Zack Soto will edit. This YA graphic novel follows three teenagers
attending school on the moon try to keep their boredom and resentments
at bay as they stumble across an exciting secret that could change the
course of their future. It's planned for summer 2022; the author was
unagented.
ADHD Alien by Pina Varnel (Dial)
Lauri Hornik at Dial has acquired, at auction, world English rights to ADHD Alien by author-illustrator Pina Varnel.
The debut YA graphic novel, based on Varnel's successful webcomic of
the same name, follows a girl with ADHD during the pivotal summer when
she gets diagnosed and finally makes sense of her challenges.
Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Jennifer Azantian at Azantian
Literary negotiated the deal.
Berliners by Vesper Stamper (Knopf)
Karen Greenberg at Knopf has acquired illustrated YA novel Berliners by Sydney Taylor Medalist Vesper Stamper (What the Night Sings). The book is pitched as Steinbeck's East of Eden meets Nielsen's A Night Divided,
in which the construction of the Berlin Wall curiously mirrors the
division between twin brothers who find themselves on opposite sides.
Publication is slated for summer 2022; Lori Kilkelly negotiated the deal
for world English rights.
The Comic Book Lesson by Mark Crilley (Ten Speed Press) - YA Non-fiction.
Kaitlin Ketchum at Ten Speed Press has bought world rights to The Comic Book Lesson by Mark Crilley
(creator of the Mastering Manga series), a graphic novel that teaches
readers how to create comics. The fictionalized narrative incorporates
tips and tricks as readers follow the tale of a teenager who learns how
to take her story idea and turn it into a real comic book. Publication
is slated for summer 2022; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary
negotiated the deal.
Untitled by Jennifer Moffett (Atheneum)
Alex Borbolla at Atheneum has bought an untitled YA thriller by Jennifer Moffett (Those Who Prey). Pitched as I Killed Zoe Spanos meets Bone Gap,
the novel follows a reluctant teen psychic and an aspiring journalist
as they search for the connection between a missing girl and the
supernatural events upending their small Ozark town. Publication is
planned for summer 2022; Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
handled the deal for world rights.
Untitled by Unknown YA Author (Penguin Teen)
Penguin Teen on
twitter: "We can't say the title or author yet but WE CAN'T WAIT FOR
this enemies to lovers rom-com, that explores identity, race, religion,
beauty and wellness set in the world of competitive debates!"
Beguiled by Cyla Panin (Amulet)
But Ella is desperate, so she asks the Bean-Nighe to fix her loom. And it works. The loom is fixed, and she's creating beautiful pieces she could have never imagined before. All she has to do is feed the loom a drop of blood each time she weaves—a small price to pay for such magnificent silks. And when she brings two bolts to a rich client, she meets a mysterious young man named Callum and bargains for an invitation to his exclusive party. At that party, he’s so mesmerized by her talent, he offers Ella a place to live, and patronage for her art. It seems like Ella's fortune is finally turning for the better . . . until she begins to notice the loom taking more from her than she offered. As she becomes entangled in the lives of the city’s rich inflluencers, swept into Callum's allure, and trapped by the Bean-Nighe’s magic, Ella must figure out a way to secure her future while she still has a future at all.
Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds (Razorbill)
This holiday season, Shira Barbanel has one goal: get her great-uncle's assistant, Isaac Lehrer, to fall in love with her. Too bad they've barely talked. But Shira's in luck - Isaac will be at her family's Nantucket home for the two week holiday break.
When Shira arrives on Nantucket, she's
horrified to learn a snowy nor'easter has trapped the rest of her family
back on the mainland for a night. Worse, she's stuck sharing a taxi
with Tyler Nelson, the charming playboy she hates - and then stuck
spending the first night of Hanukkah alone with him! But as the next 24
hours pass, they strike an intoxicating bargain: Tyler will teach Shira
how to flirt, if she'll introduce him to her great-uncle, with whose
company Tyler wants an internship.
Amidst a whirl of flirting
lessons, snowy adventures, hot chocolate, and candlelight, Shira must
learn to come into her own - and discover if the romance she planned is
really the one that will make her heart the happiest.
Trespassers by Claire McFall (Walker Books US) - originally published in the UK.
Tristan and Dylan have
escaped the afterlife. But fate never meant for them to live. Dylan
should have been killed in a horrific train crash. Tristan should still
be a Ferryman, an immortal. Now, living in bodies they have no right to
inhabit, they discover they're connected by something stronger than
love. Their souls are bound together. Alone, they'll die. When they
broke through the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead
they defied the laws of the supernatural world, and showed the way for
others to escape. Now they must face the consequences. Can true love
transcend destiny? Trespassers continues the epic love story of Dylan
and Tristan, in the stunning sequel to the truly original, award-winning
debut novel Ferryman. This is a love story like no other, beautifully
told, richly imagined and with a narrative as full of suspense and
action as it is with intense emotion.
The Grimoire of Grave Fates by Various YA Authors (Delacorte)
Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired, in a preempt, The Grimoire of Grave Fates, a multi-authored YA fantasy-mystery told in a series of interconnected, diverse POVs set in a world created by Hanna Alkaf (The Weight of The Sky) and Margaret Owen (The Merciful Crow),
following the untimely murder of a professor at an esteemed wizarding
school and the efforts of various students to track down his killer.
Contributors will include Cam Montgomery, Darcie Little Badger, Hafsah
Faizal, Jessica Lewis, Julian Winters, Karuna Riazi, Kat Cho, Kayla
Whaley, Kwame Mbalia, L.L. McKinney, Marieke Nijkamp, Mason Deaver,
Natasha Diaz, Preeti Chhibber, Randy Ribay, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Victoria
Lee, and Yamile Saied Méndez. Pitched as a response to the exclusion of
minority and LGBTQ+ groups from fantasy worlds, the creators will be
partnering with We Need Diverse Books to establish initiatives for
marginalized authors using their proceeds from the sale. Publication is
set for fall 2022; Victoria Marini at Irene Goodman Literary represented
the authors for world rights.
Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Razorbill)
"Rebekah Weatherspoon is
ready to make readers swoon with her new YA romance, Her Good Side,
which EW can exclusively announce was acquired by Razorbill, an imprint
of Penguin Young Readers, in a heated seven-house-auction.
Her
Good Side is described as being for fans of To All the Boys I've Loved
Before and Dumplin', following a girl who agrees to help out her best
friend who's accidentally double-booked her homecoming dates. She goes
to go to the dance with her best friend's new boyfriend, but by the time
homecoming rolls around, her friend has moved on and what was meant to
be a fake date starts to feel surprisingly real."
Mary Surratt by Sarah Miller (Random House/Schwartz)
Ann Kelley at Random
House/Schwartz & Wade has bought The Miracle & Tragedy of the
Dionne Quintuplets author Sarah Miller's Mary Surratt, a YA narrative
nonfiction about the first woman to be executed by the United States
government, accused of conspiring in the plot to assassinate not only
President Abraham Lincoln, but also the vice president, secretary of
state, and General Grant. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Wendy
Schmalz at the Wendy Schmalz Agency represented the author in the deal
for world rights.
Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston (Margaret K. McElderry Books)
Sarah McCabe at McElderry Books has bought Cruel Illusions by Margie Fuston, a contemporary YA fantasy pitched as Caraval meets Buffy.
When Ava joins a troupe of stage magicians who moonlight as vampire
hunters, she believes she finally has her chance to find the vampire who
killed her mother. But if she wants to keep her newfound family and the
power they offer, she must put on the performance of her life in a
competition where the magic is real and the stakes are deadly.
Publication is planned for fall 2022; Rebecca Podos at Rees Literary
Agency sold world rights.
Briarcliff Prep by Brianna Peppins (Disney Hyperion)
While at Disney Hyperion, Emily Meehan bought YA debut novel Briarcliff Prep by Brianna Peppins;
Britt Rubiano and Christine Collins will edit. At a historically Black
boarding school inspired by the author's alma mater, Spelman College,
freshman Avi navigates a budding romance and dreams of writing for the
prestigious school newspaper, while grappling with her sister's abusive
relationship with another student. Publication for the first book is
planned for fall 2022; Jas Perry at KT Literary handled the two-book
deal for world rights.
Property of No State by George M. Johnson (Little, Brown) - YA non-fiction.
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has bought, in a preempt, Property of No State, a YA narrative nonfiction project by George M. Johnson (All Boys Aren’t Blue)
written as a series of letters from Johnson to Black historical figures
who were enslaved. It will relate America's history of enslavement with
the present, the strides made since, and the power of Black creativity
and imagination in the journey towards equity and freedom. Publication
is tentatively set for fall 2022; Patrice Caldwell at New Leaf Literary
& Media did the two-book, six-figure deal for North American rights.
The Roof Over Our Heads by Nicole Kronzer (Amulet) - moved from Spring 2022.
Maggie
Lehrman at Abrams/Amulet has acquired North American English rights to
The Roof Over Our Heads, the second YA novel by Nicole Kronzer. Downton
Abbey meets Noises Off!
in a story about 17-year-old Finn, a wannabe actor in a family of
theater people who caretake a Victorian historical mansion. But when the
owner threatens to sell due to prohibitive costs, Finn and his family
put on a play that is equal parts murder mystery, art heist, and escape
room to save the house, all while living with the cast like late
Victorians. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Sara Crowe at Pippin
Properties brokered the deal.
Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers and Jeff Edwards (Levine Querido)
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has acquired Man Made Monsters, Cherokee writer Andrea L. Rogers's (l.) YA debut, illustrated by Cherokee artist and language technologist Jeff Edwards.
The collection of interconnected short horror stories follows one
Cherokee family from the 19th century into the future, intertwining
histories of colonization and monsters big and small. Publication is set
for fall 2022; Emily Sylvan Kim of the Prospect Agency brokered the
deal for world rights, all languages, and the illustrator represented
himself.
Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto (Putnam)
Arianne Lewin at Putnam has acquired, at auction, YA romcom Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto,
about a Chinese-Filipino girl from Manila whose father sets her up on a
marathon of dates in hopes that she'll get a boyfriend and want to stay
in the Philippines for college instead of going to school in the U.S.
The book is slated for fall 2022; Thao Le at the Dijkstra Agency
brokered the deal for North American rights.
Midnight and Bex by Heather Powell (Wise Wolf Books)
Rachel
Del Grosso at Wise Wolf Books has bought two YA suspense novels, The
Liars Beneath and Midnight and Bex, by Heather Powell.
The first follows one teen as she seeks the truth about her best
friend's death but soon realizes that some lies should stay buried; the
second centers on a boy who narrowly escapes a mass cult death to start
over in a new town with a new girlfriend, only for the man who haunts
his dreams to hunt them down. Publication is set for spring 2022 and
fall 2022; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated
the two-book deal for North American rights.
Lightlark by Alex Aster (Abrams)
Anne Heltzel at Abrams has bought debut YA novel Lightlark by Alex Aster (Emblem Island), an untitled sequel, and an untitled graphic novel. Lightlark
is a twisty fantasy that features six rulers competing in a high-stakes
game set on a lush magical island, with 100 days to break the deadly
curses that have plagued their realms for centuries. The first book is
set for fall 2022; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg Literary
negotiated the six-figure deal at auction for world English rights.
Fraternity by Andy Mientus (Abrams)
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has bought Fraternity, the first YA novel from actor and writer Andy Mientus.
Set at an all-boys’ boarding school in 1991, it follows a secret
society of queer kids who uncover a book of dark magic and use its power
to find their own—at a huge cost. Publication is slated for fall 2022;
Geoffrey Soffer at Soffer Namoff and Michael Mahan at Peikoff Mahan
handled the deal for world rights.
Love from Mecca to Medi by S.K. Ali (Simon and Schuster/Salaam Reads)
Kendra Levin at S&S/Salaam Reads has bought a new YA novel from Morris Award finalist S.K. Ali, called Love from Mecca to Medina,
in an exclusive submission. While on pilgrimage to Mecca, Adam and
Zayneb find their new relationship tested by the circumstances of their
umrah group, including a group leader one of them had previously known.
The publication is slated for fall 2022; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties
negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe by Lindsay S. Zrull (Flux)
Mari Kesselring at Flux has bought Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe by Lindsay S. Zrull, a YA debut pitched as Geekerella meets Far from the Tree.
Sixteen-year-old foster kid Jessica joins a cosplay team working their
way to a huge competition in NYC, in a scheme to reunite with her
mentally ill mother, but learns along the way the value of the family
you choose for yourself. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Jon Cobb
at Hannigan Getzler Literary brokered the deal for North American
rights.
Untitled by Linsey Miller (Disney)
Holly Rice at Disney has signed author Linsey Miller
(Mask of Shadows duology) to write the first two books in the new
Princes YA series. Each novel will retell a classic Disney story from an
iconic Disney Prince's perspective. The first book follows Prince Eric
from The Little Mermaid and the second features Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty.
Publication for the first book is slated for fall 2022; Rachel Brooks
at BookEnds Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Retro by Jarrod Shusterman and Sofía Lapuente (Simon & Schuster)
Amanda Ramirez at Simon & Schuster has bought Retro, a contemporary YA thriller by Jarrod Shusterman and Sofía Lapuente.
To save her struggling family, Luna enters a competition offering
reward money to anyone who can successfully live without modern
technology for a year. But when this social experiment turns sinister
and her classmates start disappearing, her family's livelihood might not
be the only thing she's in danger of losing. Publication is planned for
fall 2022; Andrea Brown at Andrea Brown Literary negotiated the deal
for world rights.
Finding Life's Story: Volume One by Joy Hakim (MITeen/Candlewick Press) - YA Non-fiction.
Hilary Van Dusen at MITeen/Candlewick Press has bought Finding Life's Story, a four-volume YA nonfiction account of the history and evolution of the life sciences, by Joy Hakim, bestselling author of A History of US.
The book recounts and offers insights on hundreds of years of
scientific innovation and discovery, beginning in the late 1400s, as
Leonardo da Vinci dissected cadavers to learn human anatomy firsthand,
and ending with present-day experiments with gene editing and viruses.
Publication of the first volume is expected in fall 2022; Patricia
Frisch did the deal for world rights.
Flight 171 by Amy Christine Parker (Underlined)
Wendy Loggia at Underlined has acquired Amy Christine Parker 's Flight 171 , pitched as Final Destination meets Stephen King's Storm of the Century
; Hannah Hill will edit. When a girl boards a plane bound for a ski
trip with her classmates after her twin's death, she never guesses
she'll be fighting for her survival against a creepy old woman who's on
the flight and shows the kids exactly what will happen if they don 't
choose one of their own to sacrifice: she'll crash the plane.
Publication is slated for fall 2022; Lucienne Diver at the Knight Agency
did the deal for world rights.
The Q by Amy Tintera (Crown)
Emily Easton at Crown has bought, at auction, in a six-figure deal, North American rights to The Q plus an untitled second book by Amy Tintera (All These Monsters; Reboot).
In this near-future YA, a girl raised in a walled quarantine zone and
the son of a Presidential candidate abducted and dropped into the zone
by parachute must go on the run toward the only exit before they are
hunted down by mercenaries. Publication is slated for fall 2022 and fall
2023, respectively; Emmanuelle Morgen at Stonesong represented the
author.
Bone Quake by C.M. Surrisi (Chicago Review Press) - YA Non-fiction
Jerome Pohlen at Chicago Review Press has bought Bone Quake by C.M. Surrisi,
a YA nonfiction book that details the events leading to the discovery
that the bones entombed in Viking warrior grave Bj581 were in fact
female, and examines the fallout from that discovery and its impact on
archaeologists' and historians' study of gender roles in ancient
societies. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Kelly Dyksterhouse at
Raven Quill Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Where the Night Has Teeth by Suzanne Young (Delacorte)
Krista Marino at Delacorte has bought YA supernatural horror Where the Night Has Teeth by bestselling author Suzanne Young (The Program), pitched as a gender-swapped The Lost Boys.
Seventeen-year-old Edie Maggio is set to spend the summer with her
nonna in her coastal Oregon town, only to realize, when her brother
begins spending all his time with a mysterious group of beguiling girls
and only going out after dark, that the town is filled with vampires.
Publication is planned for fall 2022; Lane Heymont at the Tobias Agency
represented the author for world English rights.
When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao (Viking)
Jenny Bak at Viking has won, at auction, North American rights to When You Wish Upon a Lantern by Gloria Chao (Rent a Boyfriend).
In this YA romance, a teen girl tries to save her family's wishing
lantern shop in Chicago's Chinatown by secretly making wishes come true
for customers, but when she teams up with the boy from the mooncake
bakery next door, sparks fly and she realizes she has a secret wish of
her own. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Kathleen Rushall at
Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal.
The Nine by Kes Trester (Owl Hollow Press)
Hannah Smith at Owl Hollow Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to the YA fantasy novel The Nine by Kes Trester (A Dangerous Year),
about 18-year-old Blake Wilder, who has the ability to see pivotal
moments in other people's pasts and futures. When a premonition compels
her to intervene for a stranger, she's drawn into a centuries-old
paranormal society on the brink of civil war and witnesses a series of
bizarre murders that have yet to occur. Publication is set for fall
2022; Kim Lindman at Stonesong brokered the deal.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants: Young Readers Edition by Robin Wall Kimmerer and Monique Gray Smith (Lerner/Zest)
Shaina Olmanson at Lerner/Zest has bought a young readers adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by botanist and Citizen Potawatomi Nation member Robin Wall Kimmerer (l.). Monique Gray Smith (Cree) (c.) will adapt the bestseller for a teen audience with illustrations by Nicole Neidhardt
(Navajo) (r.). Publication is slated for fall 2022; Adam Lerner and
Daniel Slager negotiated on behalf of Lerner Publishing Group and
Milkweed Editions, respectively. Maria Massie at MMQLIT represented
Milkweed and Kimmerer, and Jacqueline Lipton at Raven Quill Literary
Agency represented Smith and Neidhardt in the deal for world rights.
Acting the Part by Z.R. Ellor (HarperTeen)
Stephanie Guerdan at HarperTeen has acquired, at auction, Acting the Part by Z.R. Ellor (May the Best Man Win).
In this sophomore YA novel, a teenage actor questioning their gender
identity starts a fake relationship with a co-star to convince their
showrunners to give their on-screen f/f couple a happy ending.
Publication is planned for fall 2022; Kaitlyn Johnson at Belcastro
Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
The Secrets We Keep by Cassie Gustafson (Simon & Schuster)
Krista Vitola at Simon & Schuster has bought sophomore YA contemporary novel The Secrets We Keep by Cassie Gustafson.
Told in flashbacks, dark fairytales, and present-day prose, the novel
follows 14-year-old Emma Clark whose best friend has accused her father
of heinous crimes. And when Emma must testify against her friend's word,
her carefully constructed "truths" about what she may or may not have
witnessed between father and friend start to crumble. Publication is
planned for fall 2022; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties handled the deal
for North American rights.
The 9:09 Project by Mark Huntley Parsons (Delacorte)
Beverly Horowitz at Delacorte has acquired The 9:09 Project by Mark Huntley Parsons. Pitched as I’ll Give You the Sun meets Tell Me Three Things,
this contemporary romantic YA novel follows 17-year-old Jamison Deever
as he returns to the same street corner at 9:09 each night to take a
photo in the vein of Dorothea Lange, in an effort to channel and change
his feelings of loss and loneliness. Publication is planned for fall
2022; Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown negotiated the deal for North
American rights.
Better Than We Found It by Frederick Joseph and Porsche Landon (Candlewick) - YA Non-fiction.
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has acquired, in a six-figure preempt, North American rights to Better Than We Found It by Frederick Joseph and Porsche Landon. In the YA follow-up to Joseph's debut, The Black Friend,
the authors share stories of their own experiences with an assortment
of essential topics, from environmental justice to gun control,
anti-racism to housing security, and provide interviews with public
officials, celebrities, and activists. Publication is set for fall 2022;
Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group represented the authors.
Invisible Son by Kim Johnson (Random House)
Caroline Abbey at Random House has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Invisible Son by Kim Johnson, author of the bestselling This Is My America.
The novel is set during a summer of racial reckoning and the pandemic,
in which a boy is released from juvenile hall to discover his friend has
been missing for months, but no one is looking for him in a city with
more Black Lives Matter signs than Black people. Publication is planned
for fall 2022; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary did the
six-figure deal for world rights.
The Kingdom of Without by Andrea Tang (Simon and Schuster)
Alyza Liu at Simon & Schuster has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Kingdom of Without by Andrea Tang (Rebelwing; Renegade Flight). Pitched as a cyberpunk Six of Crows
and set in an alternate history class-divided Beijing, a desperate
young thief agrees to help a band of revolutionaries, including a
mysterious renegade known only as the Red Yaksha, break out the leader
of a failed rebellion. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Thao Le at
the Dijkstra Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah (Wednesday Books)
When their mothers
disappear from their shared home one windy night in Bishop, Kansas,
their teenage daughters—Delilah, Whitney, Jude, and Bo—are left to fend
for themselves in their sentient, blood-thirsty town surrounded by
wrathful sunflowers. But when a windstorm sweeps in on the night of
their mothers’ memorial and churns up new evidence, the girls are forced
to reckon with what really happened to their mothers that stormy night
so they can chance it all to escape Bishop for good.
Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender (Abrams)
Maggie Lehrman at Abrams has acquired, at auction, Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution , a YA novel by National Book Award winner Kacen Callender (King and the Dragonflies; Felix Ever After).
The story centers on 17-year-old nonbinary, neurodivergent, and
aspiring writer Lark, who pretends that they are the creator of a viral
thread that their ex-best friend, Kasim, accidentally posted onto their
Twitter account, declaring his unrequited love. As Lark's lie deepens
and they begin a famous relationship with their own crush, Lark searches
for the courage to speak the truth and discover how their own self-love
can be a revolution. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Beth
Phelan at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the six-figure,
two-book deal for North American rights.
You're Breaking My Heart by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (Levine Querido)
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has bought You're Breaking My Heart by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich.
The YA debut follows a teenager grieving her brother's death and her
last words to him before he died—who then discovers a portal to another
dimension underneath New York City, one that just might offer an
opportunity for a do-over as a better version of herself. Publication is
planned for fall 2022; Marietta Zacker of Gallt & Zacker brokered
the deal for North American and world Dutch rights.
Highly Suspicious, Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert (Random House)
Bria Ragin at Random House/Joy Revolution has bought Highly Suspicious, Unfairly Cute by romance author Talia Hibbert.
In her YA debut, a snarky e-girl battles her clean-cut academic rival
(and former best friend) over the course of a three-week enrichment
program in the Scottish wilderness to see who's really top of their
class, sparking old and possibly romantic feelings. This is the first
acquisition for Joy Revolution, the imprint cofounded by Nicola and
David Yoon. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Courtney Miller-Calliha
at Handspun Literary negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
Monster by Jessica Lewis (Delacorte)
Krista Marino at Delacorte has bought, in an exclusive submission, Monster by Bad Witch Burning author Jessica Lewis,
a YA horror novel about a girl who is kidnapped as a sacrificial
offering to an ancient beast, only to make a deal with the monster to
release it and avenge those who betrayed her—even if that includes her
own family. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Holly Root at Root
Literary represented the author for world English rights.
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb (Levine Querido)
Arthur A. Levine at Levine Querido has bought, in a preempt, When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb,
a YA novel with a voice reminiscent of a (queer) Isaac Bashevis Singer
story, about Uriel the angel and Little Ash the demon, centuries-long
study partners in their small shtetl, who decide to travel to America (a
place that turns out to be more complicated than they expect) with two
young women who are deeply connected. Publication is scheduled for fall
2022; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the deal for
world rights.
Other Side of the Tracks by Charity Alyse (Simon & Schuster/Millner)
Denene Millner at S&S/Millner has acquired, at auction, Charity Alyse's YA debut, Other Side of the Tracks,
about a racially divided town where Zach Whitman, a white boy, moves in
and befriends Black siblings Capri and Justin Collins. When one of
their friends is murdered by police, the town erupts into an all-out
war, with Capri, Justin, and Zach caught in the middle. Publication is
planned for fall 2022; Marlo Berliner at Jennifer De Chiara Literary
Agency brokered the deal for world rights.
Untitled by Lamar Giles (Scholastic)
Jody Corbett at Scholastic has bought, in an exclusive submission, a YA speculative-fiction horror novel by Lamar Giles.
In the wake of a global catastrophe, a teen discovers that the
world-famous vacation resort where he lives and works doubles as a
luxury doomsday refuge for the cruel billionaires he's now trapped with.
Publication is slated for fall 2022; Jamie Weiss Chilton at Andrea
Brown Literary negotiated the deal for world rights.
Liar's Beach by Katie Cotugno (Delacorte)
Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has bought world English rights to Liar's Beach and a second, untitled novel by bestselling YA author Katie Cotugno, pitched as We Were Liars meets Knives Out and set on Martha's Vineyard. In this new take on Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles,
detective Hercule Poirot is recast as a brilliant, brash teen girl
named Holiday, with the story narrated by her childhood friend Linden,
an athlete-scholar who fits right in at his elite New England prep
school—all the while hiding secrets of his own. Publication is set for
fall 2022; Sara Shandler and Viana Siniscalchi at Alloy Entertainment
represented the author.
Northranger by Rey Terciero (HarperAlley)
Andrew Arnold at
HarperAlley has acquired world rights to Northranger, a YA graphic novel
written by Rey Terciero and illustrated by Bre Indigo. The story
follows Cade Muñoz, a 16-year-old who loses himself in horror movies to
escape reality until the summer he's forced to confront the feelings
he's hiding from, both romantic and familial. Publication is slated for
fall 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author and the
artist in the deal
Where Was Goodbye? by Janice Lynn Mather (Simon and Schuster)
Catherine
Laudone at Simon & Schuster has bought Governor General's Award
finalist Janice Lynn Mather's new #OwnVoices YA novel, Where Was
Goodbye?
With the closing date set on the police investigation into her
brother's suicide, Karmen frantically searches for answers—only to
discover that her Afro-Caribbean heritage may hold the key to uncovering
the mystery behind his death, and to providing the closure her family
needs. Publication is set for fall 2022; Rachel Letofsky at
CookeMcDermid brokered the deal for North American rights.
I Miss You, I Hate This by Sara Saedi (Little, Brown)
Nikki Garcia at Little, Brown/Poppy has acquired I Miss You, I Hate This, a YA novel by Sara Saedi (Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card).
Two estranged best friends grapple with the complexities of their
relationship, just as their entire lives are turned upside down due to a
pandemic. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; Jessica Regel at Helm
Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
Yule Be Sorry by Suzanne Park (Sourcebooks Fire)
Eliza Swift at Sourcebooks Fire has bought, in an exclusive submission, Yule Be Sorry by Suzanne Park (The Perfect Escape).
The holiday-themed YA rom-com follows Chloe Kang, Santa's Village
photographer, whose rivalry with her nemesis Peter Li escalates when he
opens a North Pole virtual reality experience next door. But when they
learn their mall is in danger of being demolished, they must work
together to save it—and save Christmas. Publication is slated for fall
2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the deal for North American
rights.
Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School by Tiffany Jewell (Versify) - YA Non-fiction.
Margaret Raymo at Versify has acquired world rights, in a three-book preempt, to two books from anti-racist educator Tiffany Jewell, plus audio rights to her bestselling nonfiction title, This Book Is Anti-Racist.
The first is an untitled, illustrated book tailored to younger children
about how to be anti-racist, which breaks down identity, racism, and
provides a history of anti-racism and an anti-racist toolbox; the
second, Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School,
is a YA nonfiction title that highlights the experience and inequities
Black and Brown students face in schools, told through a variety of
personal narratives. Publication is tentatively set for spring and fall
2022, respectively; Weslie Turner will edit. Ayesha Pande at Ayesha
Pande Literary did the deal.
Eat Your Heart Out by Terry Blas, Matty Newton and Lydia Anslow (Oni Press)
Robin Herrera, formerly at Oni Press, bought world rights to Eat Your Heart Out, written by Terry Blas (l.) and Matty Newton, illustrated by Lydia Anslow.
A Latinx girl from Idaho graduates from high school and is pressured by
her mother to live the life she's planned out for her. Impulsively, she
runs away and finds herself in New York, where she shares adventures
with new friends and learns to live a life she loves. Shawna Gore will
edit; publication is slated for fall 2022. Kate McKean at Morhaim
Literary represented Blas, and Newton and Anslow represented themselves.
Valdari by Siri Pettersen (Arctis) - already published in Norway, this is the English translation.
Jan Weitendorf von Hacht at Arctis has acquired Norwegian author Siri Pettersen's new YA trilogy, beginning with Valdari,
a fantasy mystery created on a Norse foundation, about blood, desire,
and addiction. Born to a family of blood readers, Juva knows only too
well that they are swindlers and frauds, and she has vowed never to
become one of them. But when her family is threatened, Juva gets
entangled in a hunt for the blood reader's legacy: a dark secret that
once changed the world, and may do so again. Publication is planned for
fall 2022; Lena Stjernström at the Grand Agency negotiated the deal for
world English rights.
Other Ever Afters by Melanie Gillman (Random House Graphic)
Gina Gagliano while at Random House Graphic bought Stonewall Honor-winning author Melanie Gillman's graphic novel format collection of feminist, queer original fairy tales, Other Ever Afters.
The book asks the question: what if the monsters, mermaids, and witchy
old women in fairy tales all found the happily ever afters they deserve?
It's slated for fall 2022; Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary sold world
rights
The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond by Amanda Glaze (Sterling Children's)
Laura Schreiber at Sterling Children's has bought, in a six-figure preempt, debut author Amanda Glaze's The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond,
a historical YA novel with a supernatural twist. The story follows a
pair of runaway twins in the 1880s who take refuge with a traveling
Spiritualist show after their father discovers their spirit medium
abilities and threatens to commit them to an asylum. But when their
fellow mediums begin disappearing, the twins must repair their broken
bond in time to unveil a killer who will stop at nothing to cheat death.
Publication is planned for fall 2022; Sara Crowe negotiated the deal
for world English rights.
The First Thing About You by Chaz Hayden (Candlewick)
Kaylan Adair at Candlewick has bought, at auction, North American rights to The First Thing About You by debut YA author Chaz Hayden.
The novel follows Harris, who (like the author) was diagnosed with
spinal muscular atrophy as an infant and has been in a wheelchair since
age two. After his family moves across the country, an unexpected
dynamic emerges between Harris, his crush at his new school, and his
nurse—a college student—who encourages Harris's romantic endeavors at
the cost of her own well-being, and Harris's too. Publication is set for
fall 2022; Stephen Barr at Writers House handled the two-book deal.
Thief of the Heights by Son M. and Robin Yao (HarperAlley)
Carolina Ortiz at HarperAlley has bought Son M. (l.) and Robin Yao's debut YA graphic novel Thief of the Heights,
which explores the bond between two boys, Mustafa and Basem. When their
dream to climb to the top of their stratified capitalist society pulls
them further apart, Basem and Mustafa struggle to do what is best for
them and what is best for their community. Publication is scheduled for
fall 2022; Hannah Fergesen at KT Literary represented the author, and
Peter Ryan at Stimola Literary Studio represented the illustrator.
Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago (Lee & Low Books/Tu Books)
Stacy Whitman at Lee & Low Books/Tu Books has acquired world rights to Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago,
a contemporary YA novel with interstitial historical vignettes. The
story follows 14-year-old Taína, who must draw from the strength of her
Taíno ancestors to bring her family and community hope and healing after
a devastating incident. Publication is scheduled for fall 2022; the
author represented herself.
Lucha by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Make Me a World)
Michelle Frey and Christopher Myers at Make Me a World have acquired, at auction, Lucha by Tehlor Kay Mejia,
author of the We Set the Dark on Fire duology. The YA fantasy novel
follows Lucha Moya, a bounty hunter living on the border of an ancient,
mythical forest—the only source of a highly addictive drug that's
destroying her community and her family. As the first member of her
community in a generation to possess magic, she vows to defeat the evil
that surrounds her. Publication is set for fall 2022; Jim McCarthy at
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret brokered the two-book deal for world
rights.
The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert (Balzer + Bray)
Jordan Brown at HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray has acquired North American rights to The Blackwoods and another YA novel by Brandy Colbert. The Blackwoods
is a multigenerational story about a Black Hollywood family told from
four POVs that opens with the death of Blossom Blackwood, celebrated
actress and matriarch. As her three teenage great-grandchildren help
prepare for the estate sale, they examine the cost of ambition, the
importance of family, and the rewards of trusting one's heart.
Publication is planned for fall 2022; Tina Dubois at ICM Partners
negotiated the deal.
Where Shadows Reign by Patrice Caldwell (Wednesday Books)
When her best friend is
captured, after an attack on her nation’s capital, Leyla, the crown
heir of the lemogya—an ancient race that survives on human blood—must
travel to Nekros, the Isle of the Dead, where all spirits go for their
final judgement, to get her back. But, unbeknownst to her, Nekros is not
just part of the afterlife—it is a prison, holding within it a great
evil. By entering, Leyla resurrects and becomes a key player in an
ancient war: a war over the dominion of all worlds...
Mystiquiel by A.G. Howard (Bloomsbury)
Cindy Loh at Bloomsbury has acquired Mystiquiel and an untitled second book by A.G. Howard (the Splintered Series and RoseBlood).
This YA fantasy duology with horror elements is set in modern-day
Astoria, Ore., where on Halloween night, Phoenix Loring, still haunted
by the death of her identical twin, steps through a portal leading to a
gloomy industrial dreamscape of goblins and faeries—seemingly born from
her own graphic novels—to face a Goblin King's maze of machinations and
rescue the people she loves. Publication is planned for fall 2022; Jenny
Bent at the Bent Agency did the deal for world rights.
The Wolves Are Watching by Natalie Lund (Philomel) - moved from Spring 2022.
Liza Kaplan at Philomel has bought The Wolves Are Watching, a YA novel by Natalie Lund (We Speak in Storms and The Sky Above Us).
Luce sees golden eyes in the woods on the night a toddler goes missing.
With her small town quick to apportion blame, Luce follows a wolf into
the forest and discovers the mysterious history of the town, the magical
animal-women who were forced into hiding many years before, and the
unsettling truth that this has happened before. Publication is set for
spring 2022; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary did the deal for North
American rights.
Twelfth Grade Night by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm and Jamie Green (Disney Hyperion)
Kieran Viola and Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion have bought world rights to Twelfth Grade Night and King Cheer, the first two books in the Arden High series by Molly Horton Booth (l.) and Stephanie Kate Strohm (c.), illustrated by debut graphic novelist Jamie Green
(r.). Shakespeare's tales get an update in this YA graphic novel series
set at a modern-day high school where magic and fairies are real, the
LGBTQ themes of the original plays are more than subtext, and the drama
is quite literally Shakespearean. Publication for Twelfth Grade Night
is set for fall 2022; Alex Slater at Trident Media Group represented
Booth, Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency represented Strohm, and Chad W.
Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented Green.
The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl by Emily Riesbeck and NJ Barna (Simon and Schuster)
Amanda Ramirez at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to The Pirate and the Porcelain Girl, a YA graphic novel written by Emily Riesbeck (l.), illustrated by NJ Barna.
Cursed with porcelain skin and on the run from a zealous knight, Ferra
has no choice but to trust the disgraced pirate captain Brig to keep her
safe and reunite her with her ex-girlfriend in a faraway city.
Together, they bicker across the high seas, dodge nefarious obstacles,
and accidentally fall in love. Publication is set for fall 2022; Claire
Draper at the Bent Agency represented the author and the illustrator.
The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Deb Caletti (Labyrinth Road)
Liesa Abrams at Labyrinth Road has acquired The Epic Story of Every Living Thing by Printz Honor author Deb Caletti.
Sixteen-year-old Harper Proulx is sure that image is everything until
she discovers that she has 42 half-siblings who look exactly like her.
On the heels of a crushing breakup and battling chronic anxiety in the
aftermath of 2020, Harper joins three of her newfound siblings on a
quest to a Hawaiian island to find the mystery man who gave them life.
Publication is slated for fall 2022; Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich
and Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.
The
Prince & the Coyote by David Bowles and Amanda Mijangos (Levine Querido)
Nick Thomas at Levine Querido has acquired world rights to The Prince & the Coyote, an historical YA novel from Pura Belpré Honor author David Bowles (l.), illustrated by Amanda Mijangos.
After his city falls in 1418 and his family is slaughtered, the
16-year-old crown prince of Tetzcoco goes on the run from a tyrant.
Adopting the name Nezahualcoyotl—Fasting Coyote—he manages to survive,
retaking his homeland and establishing a powerful new alliance: the
Aztec Empire. Publication is slated for fall 2022; Taylor Martindale
Kean at Full Circle Literary represented the author; the illustrator
represented herself.
Untitled by Berna Anat (Quill Tree Books) - YA Non-fiction.
Courtney Stevenson at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired a YA nonfiction book by speaker and "financial hype woman" Berna Anat,
whose mission is to make personal finance less male, less pale, and
more empowering for young people trying to figure out how to handle
their money and shape their world. Publication is planned for fall 2022;
Tabia Yapp at Beotis Creative brokered the deal for world rights.
Somebody That I Used to Know by Dana L. Davis (Skyscape)
Tiffany Shelton and Carmen Johnson at Skyscape has bought world English rights to Somebody That I Used to Know, a YA contemporary novel by Dana L. Davis (Roman and Jewel).
When Dylan Woods' parents announce that her childhood best friend—who
she hasn't seen since he became the biggest teen musical artist in the
world—is coming to stay with them, it turns her life upside down. But as
they reconnect, Dylan not only finds that there is more to their
friendship, she also finds there's more to herself. Publication is set
for fall 2022; Viana Siniscalchi at Alloy Entertainment handled the
two-book deal and Uwe Stender at TriadaUS represented the author.
Cress & Petra by Ashanti Fortson (HarperCollins)
Carolina Ortiz at
HarperCollins has bought world English rights to Ashanti Fortson's
debut, Cress & Petra. Set in the near future, the YA graphic novel
follows the friendship between Cress Orozco, an autistic teenager with
plenty of problems and big thoughts about life, and Petra, a lab-made AI
looking for adventure. Their intertwining experiences raise the
question: what does it mean to be human? Publication is planned for fall
2022; Susan Graham at Einstein Literary Management negotiated the deal.
The Truth About Everything by Bridget Farr (Flux)
Mari Kesselring and Kelsy Thompson at Flux have acquired Bridget Farr's contemporary YA, The Truth About Everything, pitched as The Serpent King meets Educated.
"Homeschooled" teenager Lark secretly attends high school, against the
wishes of her conspiracy-theorist-Doomsday-prepping parents. Discovering
how much she doesn't know, Lark becomes determined to expand her world
view, but it won't come without sacrifice. Publication is slated for
fall 2022; Melissa Edwards at Stonesong handled the deal for world
rights.
Numb to This by Kindra Neely (Little, Brown)
Andrea Colvin at
Little, Brown has bought world rights to Kindra Neely's YA graphic novel
memoir, Numb to This, about surviving the mass shooting at Umpqua
Community College on October 1, 2015, her long path back to hope, and
the decision to finally speak out about her experience. Publication is
scheduled for fall 2022; the author was unagented.
Maya by Jennifer De Leon (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books) - moved from Spring 2022.
"...In which Maya and her mother decide that risking the perilous journey to
the Mexico/U.S. border is less terrible than staying in their homeland
of Guatemala where they face deadly gang violence."
Queen's Council: Jasmine by Alexandra Monir (Disney Hyperion)
"Author of THE FINAL SIX, BLACK CANARY, and BREAKING SILENCE Alexandra Monir's QUEEN'S COUNCIL: JASMINE, the third in the series, a twist to the story of the Disney Princess, whose coronation is threatened when a dangerous figure from the past returns to interrupt her father's funeral—and challenge her place on the throne, to Jocelyn Davies at Disney-Hyperion, for publication in fall 2022, by Joseph Veltre at Gersh Agency."
The Edge of Being by James Brandon (Putnam) - moved from Fall 2021.
Penguin Teen: "Isaac is
mourning the loss of his brother, while also figuring out his four-year
relationship with his boyfriend. Grieving the loss of his twin brother, Isaac embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and discovery in THE EDGE OF BEING by James Brandon, a tender and must-read queer novel."
Untitled by Unknown YA Author (Penguin Teen) -YA Graphic Novel.
Pneguin Teen: "A YA fantasy graphic novel about a girl and her dog who are trying to save the world? YES PLEASE! Can't wait to share more about this one."
The Other Merlin #2 by Robyn Schneider (Viking)
Penguin Teen: "We're getting a sequel to THE OTHER MERLIN by Robin Schneider!!! Return to Emry's Camelot with more scandals, shenanigans, and teen magic abound."
So, This is Love by Tracy Andreen (Viking)
Margot Mertz For The Win by Cassie McCrossen and Ian McWethy (Viking)
The Ruined by Renee Ahdieh (Putnam)
Glory Spares None by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman (Tor Teen)
No book releases currently scheduled.
Untitled by Daska Slater (Viking)
Joy Peskin has acquired,
in an exclusive submission, The 57 Bus author Dashka Slater's new work of
YA nonfiction. In the as-yet-untitled book, Slater will explore hate
crimes and free speech through events that unfolded at one high school
(and the community surrounding it) when a group of students created a
racist social media account, with lasting repercussions for both the
account's followers and its targets. Publication is planned for winter
2022; Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency brokered the deal for
world rights.
Visitations by Corey Egbert (FSG)
Joy Peskin at FSG has bought, in a preempt, world rights to Corey Egbert's debut YA graphic novel Visitations.
The story features teenage Corey and his younger sister, Sarah, as they
struggle with visits to see their father, their mother's extreme
religious interpretations, and their own faith. Their mother's visions
lead them on a journey into the Nevada desert where nights become
surreal adventures for Corey. It’s based on true events from the
author's life, combined with an element of magical realism. Publication
is set for winter 2022; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 brokered the deal.
Allondra by Gina Femia (FSG)
Trisha
de Guzman at FSG has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights
to playwright Gina Femia's YA novel, tentatively titled Allondra.
In the coming-of-age story, a girl and her friends wrestle their way
through the summer, sometimes on the playgrounds of Coney Island,
sometimes with their feelings, based on Femia's play of the same name.
Publication is scheduled for winter 2022; Joe Veltre at the Gersh Agency
brokered the deal.
Unexpecting by Jen Bailey (Wednesday Books)
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has acquired Jen Bailey's Unexpecting. In this contemporary YA novel pitched as Juno meets The Birdcage,
a 17-year-old boy has to make some difficult decisions that will impact
multiple lives, finding love and family along the way. Publication is
scheduled for winter 2022; Saritza Hernandez at Corvisiero Literary
Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Untitled by Paula Chase (Wednesday Books)
Sara Goodman at Wednesday Books has bought three books in the Charm City Heights series by Paula Chase. The YA contemporary books, a Gen Z Parent Trap
story, follow twin sisters from different backgrounds who face the
pressures of achieving at their radically ambitious high school while
learning to live within their newly blended family. Publication of the
first book is slated for winter 2022; Jennifer Carlson at Dunow, Carlson
& Lerner Literary handled the deal for North American rights.
Fallen City by Adrienne Young (Wednesday Books)
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has bought Adrienne Young's
Fallen City duology, a Greco-Roman inspired fantasy where a glittering
world, a lottery built on lies, and a forbidden romance come together as
an 18-year-old girl desperately attempts to escape a city under siege.
Publication is scheduled for winter 2022; Barbara Poelle at Irene
Goodman Literary Agency brokered the deal for North American rights.
Escaping Mr Rochester by L. L. McKinney (HarperCollins) - some retail sites list a January 1st release date, but this does not appear to be accurate.
Carolina Ortiz at HarperCollins has acquired L.L. McKinney's Escaping Mr. Rochester, a YA reimagining of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel that asks: what if the real villain of Jane Eyre
was actually Mr. Rochester? In this queer romance, Jane Eyre and Bertha
Mason—Mr. Rochester's wife, whom he's imprisoned within the house for
years—must save each other from the horrifying machinations of Mr.
Rochester. Publication is planned for winter 2022; Victoria Marini at
Irene Goodman Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Untitled by Anna Marie McLemore (Feiwel and Friends)
"...With a second untitled novel to follow in winter 2022; Taylor Martindale
Kean at Full Circle Literary negotiated the deal for North American
rights."
Unedited by Barry Lyga: Mike and Phil and All the World (Soho Teen) - scheduled to release Janaury 11th but did not release on this date, I will update when I know more.
This is a book. It is written by Barry Lyga. Yes, we know it's a very long book. We tried to get him to cut it, but he wouldn't. So there was nothing we could do about it. We understand if the length turns you off. A long book like this one represents a commitment, and if it isn't good, you'll feel like you've wasted your time and your money. Still, we published it because we think it's a good book. Could it be shorter? Maybe. That's a very difficult call. Each person will have his or her own opinion. Some will read it and think, "It could have been shorter." Others will think, "It was just right." And maybe some people will wish it was longer. Isn't that the highest compliment you can pay a book, to wish it would never end?
Usually, this text here (it's called "flap copy") is sexy marketing-talk, designed to get you to buy the book. Did you know that most people look at the cover, then the back cover, then the flap copy, and only then do they bother even to flip to a page in the book? So you probably haven't even read any part of the book yet, but you might decide to buy or not buy it anyway. Without having read a word of it.
So, we'll just say this: This book is a love story. We hope you'll give it a shot.
Like Lightning by Katharyn Blair (Penguin)
Harper Madison is a Good Girl. A Church Girl. It’s all she’s ever known. Well, almost. There was a blip.
Two years before, she made a mistake: skinny-dipping with Nathaniel Bennett at Church Camp and getting caught by a camp counselor. It threw her already heartsick family into a tailspin, and left a mark on her. Despite the meetings, and the prayers, and the fact that Nathaniel Bennett moved away weeks after they got back – she felt like it was a mistake that would never wash off.
It took a long time for Harper to get her footing, but it’s under control, now. She’s playing by the rules and flying under the radar. When her Aunt Penelope announces that their church was selected to host their state-wide Purity Ball, Harper knows there are more eyes on her than ever, and she’ll be safe as long as she leans into the identity she’s carefully constructed.
But that carefully constructed identity is put to the test when Nathaniel Bennett comes back to town, drudging up the memories of the incident in Harper – and in everyone else. When they’re paired together for a project at the theater they both love, Harper knows that avoiding Nathaniel is about as futile as stopping the resurrected gossip about that night.
A reluctant partnership quickly becomes a rekindled friendship, and Harper simply resolves to prove to herself that she’s different, now. Better. Not prone to “falling”, like she was, before. Harper is going to do this performance with Nathaniel, and she’s going to prove to herself (and everyone whispering about her behind her back) that whatever was broken in her before is fixed, now. Then, she’s going to take the Purity Pledge at the Ball in front of the whole church. Finally, her dad and her aunt might not look at her and see that mistake. Finally, she might feel okay, again.
But the best laid plans of hormonal teenagers often go astray.
It’s not long before Harper’s life splits: in one reality, she’s a good girl, helping plan the purity ball with her aunt. In the other, she’s falling in love with the one boy she shouldn’t want while pushing, redefining, and erasing all her old boundaries. As her carefully-constructed identity falls away, Harper is left to find out who she really is, and she discovers that love is always more powerful than shame.
It turns out she might not be the Good Girl, after all, and that might be the best thing that’s ever happened to her.
In the hidden desert city of Qalia, sixteen-year-old Imani dreams of joining the Council of Al-Zahim— the leaders who harness and protect her tribal nation’s secret tea magic. In neighboring Taeel-Sa, an orphan named Kazi has become an assassin to realize humbler dreams: regular food and a place to sleep. So when he’s offered unimaginable wealth to help a foreigner usurp Taeel-Sa’s throne, he jumps at it. What he doesn’t realize is he’s about to change the continent of Alqibah forever—and turn Imani’s dreams into a nightmare.
Upon seizing the throne, the new King invades Qalia, ruthlessly pursuing the source of the magic: a limitless power sealed in a magical vault beneath the city. The Council entrusts Imani with smuggling the vault’s key far away from the besieged city, thwarting Kazi’s attempts to secure it on behalf of the King. Furious, the King gives Kazi one chance to redeem himself: he must kill Imani and return the key.
But there are others who plot to steal it. If Imani and Kazi are to triumph, they’ll both need help— and maybe magic of their own. Little do they know, the ancient magic that divides them is what ultimately links them.
Guardians of Dawn by S. Jae-Jones (Wednesday Books) - moved from 2019.
Eileen Rothschild at Wednesday Books has acquired world English rights to Guardians of Dawn, an East Asian-inspired fantasy series by Wintersong
author S. Jae-Jones. Inspired by girl-centric narratives like Sailor
Moon, four girls must combine their elemental magic to defeat a growing
evil and restore the rightful heir to the throne. Publication is slated
to begin in spring/summer 2019; Katelyn Detweiler at Jill Grinberg
Literary Management brokered the four-book deal.
Burned and Buried by Nino Cipri (Henry Holt) - moved from Spring 2021, release date not yet updated on Goodreads.
Tiffany Liao at Holt has acquired, at auction, North American rights to Nino Cipri's debut novel Burned and Buried.
This YA supernatural horror follows Riley, who wakes up at the bottom
of a grave with a hole in her chest and strange new powers. She's soon
joined by three other dead girls, each with abilities born out of
violence. Publication is planned for spring 2021; DongWon Song at Howard
Morhaim Literary negotiated the two-book deal.
Never Forget Who You Are by Achut Deng and Keely Hutton (FSG) - YA non-fiction.
Joy Peskin at Farrar, Straus and Giroux has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Never Forget Who You Are by Achut Deng (l.) and Keely Hutton.
The narrative follows Deng's harrowing escape from her home village in
South Sudan to a refugee camp in Kenya and finally to the U.S., where
she arrived as part of a group of “Lost Boys." Told through the
testimony of Deng's losses—including her name, her family, and her
home—the YA memoir is the story of how Deng struggled to overcome
exploitation and abuse and reclaim the things she lost by holding on to
who she is. Publication is set for winter 2022; Soumeya Bendimerad
Roberts at HG Literary did the deal for world rights.
Untitled by Jen Wilde (Wednesday Books)
Sylvan Creekmore at Wednesday Books has bought the first project developed by IP company Upswell Media, written by Jen Wilde, author of Queens of Geek, The Brightsiders, and Going Off Script.
The YA thriller, which takes place over the course of a single night at
an elite New York academy, follows 17-year-old Waverly as she's locked
in with her fellow students at a masked ball—with a killer on the loose
and an apocalypse outside the school doors. Publication is set for 2022;
John Cusick at Folio Literary Management brokered the deal for world
English rights on behalf of Upswell Media, of which he is also a
co-founder. Lauren Spieller of TriadaUS represented Jen Wilde.
Firebird by Sunmi (HarperCollins/Harper Alley)
Clarissa Wong at
HarperCollins/HarperAlley has acquired, at auction, world rights to
Firebird, the debut YA graphic novel by Sunmi, in a two-book deal.
Firebird follows Caroline as she crushes on Kim, an older student she
tutors, and their friendship through their varied experiences as queer
children of Asian-American immigrants. Publication is scheduled for
2022; Susan Graham at Einstein Literary Management handled the deal.
In Silent Seas We Drown by Liz Lawson (Delacorte) - delayed from 2021.
Krista Marino at Delacorte has acquired world rights to Liz Lawson's (The Lucky Ones) second YA novel. In Silent Seas We Drown
is the story of three teens whose lives are sent into a tailspin when
one overdoses at another's home and her parents decide to press charges.
Told in dual POVs, the novel is about addiction, the ripple effects it
causes, and the secrets we all have. Publication is scheduled for 2021;
Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal.
The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Luanne Rice (Scholastic)
Aimee Friedman at Scholastic has acquired, in an exclusive submission, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, a YA suspense novel by bestselling author Luanne Rice (Last Day; Pretend She's Here).
When Annabelle's best friend is murdered, she must unravel the mystery
her friend was in the midst of solving, one that may involve a popular
true-crime podcast. Publication is scheduled for 2022; Andrea Cirillo
and Jessica Errera at Jane Rotrosen Agency negotiated the deal for world
rights.
Thirty to Sixty Days by Alikay Wood (Amulet) - postponed from Fall 2021.
Anne Heltzel at Amulet has acquired Alikay Wood's debut novel Thirty to Sixty Days,
in which three teenagers commandeer a yacht and embark on a high-risk
journey after contracting a unique terminal illness, only to find their
lives won't be cut short after all. Publication is scheduled for fall
2021; Christa Heschke at McIntosh & Otis negotiated the deal for
world rights.
Our Shadows Have Claws by Various YA Authors (Algonquin) - moved from 2023.
Sarah
Alpert at Algonquin has bought world rights to Our Shadows Have Claws, a
YA horror anthology co-edited by Amparo Ortiz (l.) and Yamile Saied
Méndez.
The short stories feature mythical monsters and magical baddies from
Latinx folklore, from el Chupacabra to La Llorona, the vampire and the
werewolf, the pombero and Nahuelito, and beyond. The Latinx contributors
include Mendez, Ortiz, Chantel Acevedo, Courtney Alameda, David Bowles,
Ann Dávila Cardinal, Mia García, Gabriela Martins, Racquel Marie,
Tehlor Kay Mejía, Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite, Claribel Ortega,
Lilliam Rivera, Jenny Torres Sánchez, and Alexandra Villasante.
Publication is set for 2023; Linda Camacho at Gallt and Zacker Literary
did the deal.
Greater Secrets by Ananth Hirsh and Tess Stone (Random House)
Random House/Graphic has
bought Ananth Hirsh and Tess Stone's YA graphic novel Greater Secrets.
Three strangers take a surreal road trip to a drowned ghost town in
search of a missing pop idol, but end up finding themselves instead.
Publication is scheduled for 2022.
Lovely Recipe by Myra Rose (Random House Graphic)
Whitney Leopard at Random
House Graphic has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to
Myra Rose's debut YA graphic novel, Lovely Recipe. Sofia is determined
to learn how to cook her late grandmother's recipes so that she can
bring her family together for a giant dinner like they used to have. But
the only person with the skill to show her how is Anna Marie, an
unapproachable classmate. Sofia's feelings are... complicated.
Publication is set for 2022; the author was unagented.
Game Changers by Mary Kenney (Running Press)
Britny Brooks at Running Press has acquired Game Changers by video game writer Mary Kenney (Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales).
The debut YA nonfiction book shines a light on more than two dozen
women and genderqueer people who built the video game industry, and
their often overlooked contributions to the world of gaming. Publication
is slated for 2022; Eric Smith at P.S. Literary did the deal for world
rights.
These Precious Stones by Michael Barakiva (FSG) - moved from Fall 2021.
Trisha de Guzman at FSG has acquired world English rights to These Precious Stones by Michael Barakiva (Hold My Hand). Pitched as Sailor Moon meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,
the contemporary YA fantasy features an eclectic group of queer and
international teens who learn that they must bear the magical gems that
will save the universe from an ancient galactic threat. Publication is
slated for 2022; Josh Adams at Adams Literary handled the deal.
Volta by Dorian Christo and Andy Roblez-Valdez (First Second)
Kiara Valdez at First
Second has bought world rights to Volta by Dorian Christo (l.) and Andy
Robles-Valdez. The YA graphic novel features the intertwined fates of
Luciano Vega, a small-town musician who moves to the city to make it
big; and Orpheus Apolonio, a once-renowned violinist who, after a tragic
accident, became a recluse and is plagued with mysterious premonitions.
Publication is planned for 2022; the authors represented themselves.
Not Everyone Is Going to Like You: The Art of Self-Validation by Renny Perkins (Kokila) - YA non-fiction.
Sydnee
Monday at Kokila has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights
to artist and comedian Rinny Perkins's nonfiction debut Not Everyone Is
Going to Like You: The Art of Self-Validation,
a guide to adulthood for black girls with a focus on radical self-care.
Featuring graphic collage that pays homage to 1970s black
woman-centered ephemera, the book will cover topics including identity,
sex and dating, mental health, and navigating the workplace. Publication
is slated for 2022; Monica Odom at Odom Media Management negotiated the
deal.
Check Your Texts by Aatamaja Pandya (Random House Graphic)
Whitney Leopard at
Random House Graphic has bought Aatmaja Pandya's YA graphic novel Check
Your Texts. The suspenseful story follows Yooni as she searches for her
missing best friend after they've disappeared in the woods. When a
mysterious doll appears, things take a turn for the paranormal, and
Yooni finds herself getting messages from the beyond. Publication is
scheduled for 2022; Jennifer Linnan at Linnan Literary Management sold
world rights.
Dearest Daughter by Emily Erdos (First Second)
Robyn Chapman at First
Second has acquired world rights to Emily Erdos's YA graphic memoir
titled Dearest Daughter, a story about a 14-year-old girl who has grown
up without a father and grapples with the fact that he took his own
life. Publication is slated for 2022; the author was unagented.
The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu (HarperCollins)
"The Infinity Particle, due in 2022, is a speculative YA with shades of Ghost in the Shell,
about a young woman whose best friend and first love suddenly reappears
in her life after he's been dead for three years, so it can't really be
him—or can it?"
Twisted Tales #14 by Elizabeth Lim (Knopf)
"This twisted
tale will be based on the Blue Fairy from the 1940 classic, Pinocchio
and will be the 14th twisted tale. It will be focused on the Blue Fairy
for a whole new story. It will be written by Elizabeth Lim and no
release date for 2022 has been confirmed yet as well as the title or
twist."
Infinity Cycle #3 by Adam Silvera (HarperTeen) - UK release date announced but not US.
Untitled by Mahogany L. Brown (Crown)
Untitled by Michele Mason (Bloomsbury)
Untitled by Brooke Lauren Davis (Bloomsbury)
Untitled by Amber McBride (Feiwel and Friends)
Untitled by Rory Power (Delacorte)
Untitled by Brianna Bourne (Scholastic)
Untited by Kathryn Foxfield (Sourcebooks)
Untitled by Kathleen Glasgow (Delacorte)
Untitled by Gita Trelease (Flatiron Books)
Untitled by Natalie D. Richards (Sourcebooks Fire)
Untitled by Kasie West (Delacorte)
Untitled by Heather Herrman (Putnam)
Untitled by Francesca Flores (Wednesday Books)
Flirting With Fate #2 by J.C. Cervantes (Razorbill)
Strike the Zither #2 by Joan He (Roaring Brook Press)
The Notorious Virtues #3 by Alwyn Hamilton (Viking)
The Witchlands #5 by Susan Dennard (Tor Teen)
How We Fall Apart #2 by Katie Zhao (Bloomsbury)
Jay's Gay Agenda #2 by Jason June (HarperTeen)
A Forgery of Magic #3 by Maya Montayne (Balzer + Bray)
The Spice Road Trilogy #2 by Maiya Ibrahim (Delacorte)
Castles In Their Bones #2 by Laura Sebastian (Delacorte)
Iron Widow #2 by Xiran Jay Zhao (Penguin Teen)
The Bones of Ruin #2 by Sarah Raughley (Simon Pulse)
Guardians of Dawn #4 by S. Jae-Jones (Wednesday Books)
Simone Breaks All The Rules #2 by Debbie Rigaud (Scholastic)
A Court of Miracles #3 by Kester Grant (Knopf)
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