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Cover Reveal
 ‘Hope in a Classroom’ By Imani Perry The National Book Award–winning author turns her knack for bringing history alive to a middle grade audience in her children's debut, Hope in a Classroom: The Remarkable Story of Black American Students, Teachers, and Schools from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. The nonfiction book is due out from Norton Young Readers in January 2027. more  In the News
 National Book Ban Bill Introduced in Senate Committee The equivalent of U.S. House Bill 7661, Senate Bill 4925 seeks to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit funding for school books and other resources said to contain “sexually oriented material.” more  Publishing Sales Rose in MayBig increases in the children’s/YA category and solid adult trade results led to a 6.8% bump in May sales at the 1,416 publishers that report to AAP’s StatShot program. more  Dick Robinson’s Will Challenged by SonFive years after it was revealed that the late Scholastic CEO and chair had given a controlling stake in the company to someone outside of the family, one of his sons has filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the will. Scholastic said the lawsuit is nothing more than “mere boilerplate, repeat allegations that ignore the relevant facts.” more  Hachette’s Raising Readers Initiative Releases PSAThe publisher has issued a call to action for adults to encourage young people to read for 10 minutes a day: a habit that helps foster a healthy and long-lasting relationship with books. more In Conversation
 Martine Leavitt and Kristen McCallum Martine Leavitt’s speculative YA story Whenever You Are and Kristen McCallum’s debut YA contemporary novel Free Girls may seem different on their face, but they share a poignant through line: teens grappling with the stigma around juvenile detention. Here, Leavitt (l.) and McCallum reflect on their experiences as debut vs. veteran authors, and how their books can help teens in similar scenarios feel seen. more
Reading Roundup
 10 Sturdy Stories for Littlest Readers These forthcoming board books make playful use of interactive elements to introduce basic concepts. more   Early Reader SpotlightFall books for beginning readers span functions and dip into genres. more  Four Eye-Catching Middle Grade Series Installments Whether they’re sequels, spin-offs, or long-awaited conclusions, these new installments to established middle grade series will captivate fans. more  Five Epic YA ExpansionsGripping finales, new adventures set in dystopian worlds, and surprising additions to bestselling sagas await admirers of these series for teens. more Four Questions
 ‘You Keep Learning’: PW Talks with Rajani LaRoccaAuthor and physician Rajani LaRocca has three children's titles forthcoming in 2026, including her YA debut, Such Great Heights (Quill Tree, Aug.). The book tells the parallel story of New Jersey teenager Siya Kumar and Sita, a mythic figure in Hindu literature. We spoke with LaRocca about turning to YA and showing care as a doctor and writer. Q: What are the similarities between your two professions? A: Both take a long time to get good at. And in both medicine and writing, there’s a fascination for and love for people. As a doctor, I help in any way that I can. As a writer, characters pop into my head, and I have to tell their story. more
Rights Report
 Kelsey Murphy while at Viking acquired Hello, I Love You, Goodbye by Adam Sass, a one-night-only YA romance about Freddie and Lyle, two teens at their high school lock-in who fall in love despite a ticking clock—one of them is moving across the world in the morning. Claire Tattersfield will oversee through publication, which is slated for spring 2027. Michael Bourret at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for North American rights.  Michelle Lee while at Dial bought Milo & the Made-Up Moon by Sophie Cameron (Out of the Blue), a middle grade novel about a space-loving boy whose mother falls under the sway of conspiracy theories that the moon is a hoax, and now he believes his favorite TV host, a former astronaut, is the only person who can help convince her of the truth. Matt Phipps at Putnam will edit; publication is set for fall 2027. Paula Weiman at ASH Literary did the deal for world English rights.  Aliza Li at Holiday House has acquired world rights to two books in the Corgi Boys middle grade graphic novel series by debut author-illustrator Kristian Aus. The series features two corgi detectives who clumsily solve mysteries by listening to their stomachs; book one, The Great Cookie Conspiracy, tells of a missing-mice case that snowballs into a giant cookie conspiracy. Publication is scheduled for fall 2028; the author was unagented.  Christy Ottaviano at Little Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to My Brother the Shadow, a middle grade novel in verse by Ralph Fletcher (Marshfield Dreams), an unflinching portrayal of brotherhood in the face of drug addiction. Publication is planned for winter 2027; the author represented himself.  Jaynie Royal at Regal House has acquired world rights to I'm Not Big Boned, I'm Just Fat, Michele McAvoy's debut middle grade novel about an overweight tween struggling with body image, puberty, first crushes, and her new family dynamic after the tragic loss of her father, set in 1980s nostalgia. Publication is slated for summer 2028; Dan Cramer at Page Turner Literary Agency brokered the deal.  Elizabeth Barton at Simon Spotlight has bought world rights to James Preller's (l.) early reader Run, Jump, Catch, illustrated by Fred Blunt, in which readers follow along on a dog's journey to catch an elusive ball, using a variety of fun action verbs in the process. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Lee Wade at Random House Studio has acquired world rights to Button at the Bookstore by Ann Patchett (l.), illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Button, a shelter dog, is always underfoot at the bookstore, but when he comes nose to nose with a boy learning to read, Button turns out to be the perfect shop dog after all. Publication is set for spring 2027; Daniel Kirschen at CAA represented the author, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the illustrator.  Nancy Conescu at FSG has bought world rights to The Girl in the Book by Mandy Sutcliffe, a modern-day Thumbelina-like tale about a tiny girl who lives inside books and finds friends, literal and metaphorical, between the pages. Publication is planned for spring/summer 2028; the author-illustrator represented herself.  Talia Benamy while at Philomel acquired world rights to Monique Dong's illustrations for Dream a Little Dream of Me, a reimagining of the classic love song by The Mamas & the Papas as a lullaby; Want Chyi will edit. Publication is slated for fall 2028; Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency did the deal.  Emily Feinberg at Fifth Color Press has bought world rights to Herbert, a picture book by Laurel Snyder (l.), illustrated by Xuân Lan, which follows a girl who bonds with a nearly dead plant and then must come to terms with the inevitable. Publication is scheduled for spring 2030; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has acquired world rights to My Own Melody by Olympic gold ice dancer Meryl Davis (l.), illustrated by Tamisha Anthony, a picture book inspired by the author's own journey, where a dyslexic girl's experiences in the classroom juxtapose with time spent in the skating rink—and how soaring on the ice creates the courage and determination to persevere in school and beyond. Publication is set for winter 2028; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Julie Matysik at Running Press has bought world rights to The Mermaids' Night Before Christmas by Megan Wagner Lloyd (l.), illustrated by Ocean Hughes. The picture book takes the holiday classic under the sea, where fishy antics abound and every creature awaits the arrival of Sea Santa. Publication is planned for fall 2027; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Frederica Dawson at the Plum Agency represented the illustrator.  Millie von Platen at Astra Young Readers has acquired author-illustrator DK Ryland's picture book Snail and Tail. Snail receives a party invitation in the mail from her own tail. She's disappointed when she gets a glimpse of it, but when they go on an unexpected adventure, Snail realizes that looks can be deceiving. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency sold world rights.  Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has bought world rights to Pencil Power, a picture book written and illustrated by Judith Henderson, about the creative possibilities of the humble pencil for writers, poets, artists, and doodlers. Publication is scheduled for summer 2028; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary did the deal for world rights.  Stephanie Wheeler at Spinning Wheel Stories has bought Beautiful Mess, a debut picture book by Andrea Yomtob, where a girl learns that natural beauty can emerge from messy and surprising situations. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Robert Broder at Martin-Newens Literary Management sold world rights.  Ariel Richardson at Chronicle Books has bought world rights to Like the Sun Lights the Day by Hena Khan (l.), illustrated by Nabila Adani. Through rhyming verses inspired by the Sufi poet Jalal al-Din Rumi, this picture book captures a parent's wondrous joy and appreciation for the many ways their child shines. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Matthew Elblonk at Defiore Literary represented the author, and Susan Penny at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Sonali Fry at Crown has acquired world rights to What We Need by Namita Moolani Mehra (l.), illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, a picture book retelling of an old fisherman's tale, set in Goa, India, woven with themes of conservation and sustainability. Publication is set for spring 2029; Naomi Davis at Bookends Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Nick Magliato and Celina Sun at Penguin Workshop have acquired world rights to Whatcha Doin'? and Whatcha Doin'?: Community Helpers, two lift-the-flap board books by Dana Marie Miroballi (l.), illustrated by Ardhi Al Hafiz, which introduce toddlers to the everyday workers who keep a neighborhood running. Publication of book one is set for summer 2027, with book two to follow in fall 2027; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Sol Salinas at Astound US represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  A Riddle of EelsNicholas Day, illus. by Corey R. Tabor. Random House Studio, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 978-0-5939-0569-2 “The eel is hard to hold. It slips from our grasp,” and so does certainty itself in an awe-inspiring nonfiction title from Day and Tabor that explains just how little is known about this commonplace creature. Wry, contemplative lines trace thousands of years of “scientists, naturalists, philosophers—anyone with any sense of wonder” whose ardent pursuit generated a parade of earnest theories about the eel’s life cycle. more  Night RideChristopher Myers. Kokila, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 979-8-217-23846-0 Caldecott Honoree Myers delivers a luminous visual love letter to Black childhood and New York City with a stunning wordless picture book that follows five kids bicycling across the boroughs. As the brown-skinned companions meet up and ride from landmark to landmark—in one remarkable vertical spread, across the Brooklyn bridge—their nocturnal adventure is clearly filled with joyful freedom of movement. more  Building 903Lois Lowry. Clarion, $19.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-06-351510-9 Two-time Newbery Medalist Lowry pens an arresting dystopian novel that chronicles a tween discovering a cache of books and the startling truths they unearth about her tyrannical society. Prescient worldbuilding conjures a hyper-surveillance state that mirrors contemporary attitudes surrounding censorship and control. It’s a haunting cautionary tale about a grim future deprived of storytelling and creative expression. more  Everything New AgainRenée Watson. Bloomsbury, $20.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-5476-2166-8 Newbery Medalist Watson documents swoon-worthy first love in this aching romance set in small-town Larch Heights, Ore. Working at her family’s funeral home has given Black 17-year-old Bliss an unusually intimate view of death. Bliss finds her quiet routine disrupted when a beloved family friend, Pastor Alden, dies unexpectedly. As preparations for the funeral unfold, Bliss encounters a mysterious, grieving daughter searching for answers and develops feelings for 18-year-old newcomer Solomon. more  Anger Is Only a ShadowElizabeth Acevedo. Quill Tree, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-06-288279-0 Following a stay at a youth services center for stealing and crashing her mother’s food truck, Indigenous Salvadoran and Afro-Dominican 17-year-old Liliana Teicuh Pantaleon-Ortiz is released into her parents’ custody in D.C. with an ankle monitor to await her next hearing. Rather than focusing on herself, she becomes preoccupied with her older brother Aldwin, whose recent behaviors, including talking to himself and experiencing increased paranoia, have turned him into someone she doesn’t recognize. It’s a striking and nuanced portrait of the realities of juvenile detention and mental illness. more |
July 21, 2026
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