Celia Lee at Simon and Schuster has bought world rights for Newbery Honoree Kyle Lukoff's Are You a Friend of Dorothy?, a nonfiction picture book about the sanctuary and community sought by queer people claiming to be "friends of Dorothy" during the mid-20th century when homosexuality was still criminalized in the U.S. Levi Hastings will illustrate; publication is planned for summer 2024. Saba Sulaiman at Talcott Notch Literary Services represented the author, and Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the illustrator.
Andrea Tompa and Melanie Cordova at Candlewick Press have acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca's Mauntie, illustrated by Nadia Alam. The story follows a girl who must come to terms with sharing her favorite auntie (Mauntie) with her older cousin. Publication is planned for fall 2024; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has bought world rights to The Wishing Machine by Jonathan Hillman, illustrated by Nadia Alam, a picture book about a child who makes wishes on the machines at their favorite laundromat, before moving away from the neighborhood and all their friends there. Publication is set for fall 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author and Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties represented the illustrator.
Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired Insha'allah, No, Maybe So by Rhonda Roumani and Nadia Roumani, illustrated by Olivia Aserr (r.). Ranya and her mother ponder the best way to talk about their hopes and dreams in this picture book about a common Arabic expression used by Muslims and Arabs around the world for life's uncertainties. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the authors, and Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Luana Kay Horry at HarperCollins has bought two picture books by debut author #DopeDad, and CEO/founder of The Dad Gang, Sean Williams. The first book, Girl Dad, celebrates fathers and their daughters, and the second, Boy Dad, does the same for fathers and their sons. Girl Dad, told in playful rhyme, features diverse dad-daughter pairs, and portrays inclusive parenting styles. Publication for Girl Dad, illustrated by Jay Davis, is planned for winter 2022, and Boy Dad will follow in summer 2023. Williams represented himself and Brent Taylor at Triada US represented Davis.
Jessica Anderson at Christy Ottaviano Books/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has acquired, at auction, world rights to The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story written by Aya Khalil (The Arabic Quilt) and illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh. Scheduled for winter 2023, this picture book features three generations of Egyptian-Americans bonding over holiday traditions and a precious recipe in preparation for Eid al-Fitr. Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the deal for the author; the illustrator represented herself.
Alexandra Cooper at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has bought four novels by Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca. The deal includes The Sound of Magic, a middle grade fantasy about a girl who battles the lasting effects of colonialism and greed to save her homeland, for publication in winter 2024; Nothing but the Truth, a YA reimagining of Sita's story from The Ramayana, for publication in 2025; Mystery Party, a middle grade novel in which six middle schoolers are invited to a reclusive billionaire's mansion but must solve the mystery of his unexpected disappearance, for publication in 2026; and Chemistry Lessons, a YA rom-com inspired by Jane Austen's Emma that explores the true nature of beauty, for publication in 2027. Brent Taylor at Triada US did the high-six-figure deal for world English rights.
Jennifer Ung at Quill Tree has bought Elisa Stone Leahy's debut middle grade novel, Tethered to Other Stars. The story follows a girl navigating both seventh grade and the devastating impact of ICE's looming presence on her family and community. Publication is planned for fall 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US handled the two-book deal for world English rights.
Abigail McAden at Scholastic has acquired five middle grade novels by New York Times-bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta. The deal includes a new three-book series following the flying pakkhiraj horses of the Kingdom Beyond, a spin-off to DasGupta's Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series, slated to begin in September 2022; a sequel to DasGupta's forthcoming novel Force of Fire, slated for May 2022; and The Lotus Legacy, DasGupta's first work of realistic fiction for middle graders, which follows the Desi Posse, a crack team of feminist tweens, on a heist to expose a skin-lightening product, slated for summer 2023. Brent Taylor at Triada US handled the six-figure deal for North American rights.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperCollins has won, at auction, Small Town Pride and a second untitled novel by YA author Phil Stamper. In his middle grade debut, 13-year-old Jake loves his rural town, but doesn't always feel supported by the people there, so he fades into the background. That is, until he comes out and his overly supportive dad puts a comically huge pride flag in their yard, suddenly turning all eyes on him. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the six-figure deal for world English rights.
Rebecca Kuss at Inkyard Press has bought, in an exclusive submission, The Supernatural Society by Rex Ogle. This middle grade series starter follows Latinx, biracial Will Hunter who is forced to move to a small town in Massachusetts where monsters and magical creatures live alongside everyone else—but only Will has the power to see them. When pets all over town (including Will's dog) go missing, it's up to Will and his new friends to save the animals and the town. Publication is slated for winter 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the three-book deal for world English rights.
David Levithan at Scholastic has bought The Language of Seabirds by Will Taylor (Maggie & Abby's Neverending Pillow Fort), a contemporary middle grade first-love summer romance. Confined to a beach house for two weeks with his newly divorced, resentful father, 12-year-old Jeremy is just trying to make it through. But when he meets local boy Evan, his whole world is flipped again, and Jeremy scrambles to find some way to share the truths flooding his heart—things he's never spoken to anyone, not even himself. Publication is planned for summer 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US handled the deal for world rights.
David Levithan at Scholastic Press has bought Gallowgate by Alex R. Kahler writing as K.R. Alexander (The Collector). The middle grade story is set in a school for banishing wayward ghosts, where a haunted boy finds forbidden magic, otherworldly foes, fierce friends, and queer romance. Publication is planned for spring 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal for world rights.
Kelsey Sullivan at Disney-Hyperion has bought The Strange Will of Xavier Stoutmire by Kaitlyn Cavalancia, a YA debut mystery about an ordinary girl who gets brought into a magical world in which she has to solve a murder to win an inheritance. Publication is slated for spring 2025; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the two-book deal for U.S., Canadian, and open market rights.
Megan Ilnitzki at HarperTeen has bought, in an exclusive submission, Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ballby Jason June (Jay's Gay Agenda) and a standalone second book. In this contemporary YA novel, gay, femme 16-year-old Riley hopes to enter the Gaybutante Society, a world-renowned organization full of queer tastemakers. When he's told by a gay cis classmate that gay guys aren't attracted to femme gays, Riley bets he'll find a boyfriend in time for the Gaybutante Ball. Publication is set for summer 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the deal for world English rights.
Mekisha Telfer at Roaring Brook Press has bought Dan Clay's debut young adult novel, Becoming a Queen. The story follows a teenage boy who turns to drag performance to overcome his grief when tragedy strikes. Publication is scheduled for spring 2023; Brent Taylor at Triada US handled the deal for world rights.
Abigail McAden at Scholastic has bought, in a preempt, Debating Darcy by New York Times-bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta in her YA debut. This modern-day, feminist retelling of Pride and Prejudice is set in the high-stakes world of high school speech and debate, and follows Bengali American Leela Bose, whose multicultural group of free-spirited public school teammates stand in stark contrast to the team from Netherfield Academy, and in particular, their captain, the insufferably arrogant and attractive Firoze Darcy. Publication is planned for spring 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the two-book deal for North American rights.
Mary-Kate Castellani at Bloomsbury has bought Phil Stamper's Golden Boys, plus an untitled sequel. The first entry in this YA rom-com duology follows four queer teens during an unforgettable summer. As senior year approaches—with the real world looming just beyond—how can these lifelong friends stay close when their futures seem to be forcing them apart? Publication of the first book is planned for winter 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the deal for world English rights.
Rebecca Kuss at Inkyard has bought, in a six-figure preempt, A Tale of Two Princes by Eric Geron. Pitched as The Princess Diaries meets The Parent Trap, the contemporary YA debut follows the closeted crown prince, newly established in Canada, and an out-and-proud Montana cowboy, who meet by chance and turn out to be long-lost twin brothers. But will these two be able to take on coming out, coronations, and high school together—or will this royal reunion become a royal mess? Publication is set for summer 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US did the two-book deal for world English rights.
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.
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.
Elizabeth Lee at Penguin Workshop has bought world rights to Dan of Green Gables by Rey Terciero, illustrated by Eisner Award nominee Claudia Aguirre. A twist on Anne of Green Gables, this YA graphic novel tells the story of a queer, half-Mexican teenager named Dan who is forced to live with his grandparents in rural Tennessee when his mother abandons him. With the help of his Mawmaw and his new friends, Dan makes an unlikely home for himself at 1600 Green Gables. Publication is planned for summer 2025; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Kate McKean at Howard Morhaim Literary Agency represented the illustrator.
Erin Clarke at Knopf has acquired world rights to Dear Rosie, a debut middle grade graphic novel by Meghan Boehman and Rachael Briner. Starring a diverse cast of anthropomorphic Maryland wildlife, this semi-autobiographical graphic novel follows four middle-school girls as they confront the loss of their friend, banding together to heal their wounds and honor her memory. Publication is planned for summer 2023; Uwe Stender and Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal.
Kiara Valdez at First Second has bought The Odyssey by Rex Ogle writing as Rey Terciero and illustrator Joe Casanova, a middle grade graphic novel following a mouse on an epic journey back to his home in Ithaca. Publication is slated for fall 2025; Brent Taylor at Triada US negotiated the two-book deal for world rights.
David Saylor and Megan Peace at Scholastic/Graphix have bought, at auction, world rights to Rex Ogle's contemporary middle grade graphic trilogy, based on the author's own experience. Dealing with the bullies at school, his family being broke, and an embarrassing lack of friends, Rex has way too much on his plate already. So when he finds out he needs glasses, he's ready to give up. Dave Valeza will illustrate. Publication for book one, Four Eyes, is set for fall 2022; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the illustrator.
Andrea Colvin at Little, Brown has bought, in a six-figure preempt, world rights to Tori Sharp's middle-grade graphic memoir Just Pretend, and a second book. Tori has never lived in just one world. She's got her mom's house, her dad's house, school, and, best of all, books. And it's books—and the stories she makes up in her head—that Tori will turn to when everything else around her seems to be crumbling. Publication is slated for spring 2021; Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal for world rights.
Liesa Abrams at Aladdin has bought, in a six-figure preempt, world rights to Sort of Super, plus an untitled sequel by Eric Gapstur. The middle grade graphic novel is about a boy whose accidental superpowers become the first clue in solving his mother's disappearance. Publication is slated for spring 2022; Uwe Stender and Brent Taylor at Triada US brokered the deal.
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.
Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired world rights to Jeremy Whitley's three-book graphic novel series The Dog Knight, illustrated by Bre Indigo, in which a non-binary kid must balance the real life troubles of middle school with the chance to face the forces of chaos alongside a council of dog superheroes. Publication of the first book is planned for early 2022; Moe Ferrara at BookEnds Literary represented the author, and Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the illustrator.