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In the Spotlight
 Indie Publishers Support Marginalized AuthorsPW spoke with independent publishers that champion diversity—including several children's imprints—about how they're weathering the current political climate and facing the challenges ahead. more  In the News
 Coalition Protests Tennessee’s Directive to Public LibrariesLiterary organizations, publishers, libraries, and right to read advocates have cosigned a letter of concern to Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett, who recently directed 211 public libraries to review their youth materials for “age-appropriateness” by January 19. more Publishing News
 Scholastic Sells HQ, Distribution Facility The sale of Scholastic's Broadway headquarters and Jefferson City, Mo., distribution hub is expected to generate $401 million in net proceeds for the children’s publisher. more  Inkluded Faces Up to Publishing’s Diversity ProblemThrough public programming and a tuition-free publishing course, the nonprofit seeks to address the knowledge gaps that have historically stood between some BIPOC communities and a career in the book business. more  Andrea Brown Alums Launch Boutique Agency Jennifer March Soloway (l.), Paige Terlip (top), and Jemiscoe Chambers-Black (bottom) have founded Starling Literary + Media, dedicated to both children’s and adult authors and illustrators. The trio previously worked at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. MORE   Book News
 Nonfiction Chapter Book Series Shines a Light on Muslim Community A Muslim American stand-up comedian stars as the title subject in the first installment in the Muslim Mavericks series of biographical middle grade chapter books, which aim to counteract Islamic stereotypes. Written by Seema Yasmin, the series is set to launch in February from Simon & Schuster's Salaam Reads imprint. more Q & A
 Chanel MillerIn The Moon Without Stars, Luna, a writer, starts offering book prescriptions to classmates who, like her, are struggling with the challenges of seventh grade. Things escalate when she and her friend start creating personalized zines, as Luna grapples with opportunities that push her out of her comfort zone. We spoke with Miller about the differences in writing this book and her middle grade debut, the Newbery Honor-winning Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All, and helping kids learn how to seek help. Q: Why did you want to explore questions of personal growth and change through a tween lens? A: When I was a kid, I took great pride in being independent and doing well in school. When life got harder, and my behavior started changing, I realized that I didn’t know how to deal with anything less than perfection. I didn’t know how to recruit help or lean on other people. I love that I can take Luna out of her depths and show her that you can’t fix this on your own. more
Rights Report
 Nancy Siscoe at Knopf has acquired Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell (the Impossible Creatures series), a pocket-sized celebration of the joys and vital importance of children's literature for adult readers. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Peter Knapp at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management sold North American rights.  Phoebe Yeh at Crown Books for Young Readers has bought Jin Young, In Between, Ellen Oh's YA novel about two star-crossed lovers trapped in parallel worlds and the lengths they go to be together, even if it means the undoing of their worlds. Publication is scheduled for summer 2026; Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Fire has acquired, at auction, James Trevino (l.) and Elizabeth Sagan's Gravespell and two sequels. The first in a contemporary fantasy series pitched as Netflix's Wednesday at a school for magic, by way of One of Us Is Lying, the book follows four teens accused of murdering the daughter of the American President of Magic, while the world around them teeters on the edge of a brutal civil war between those born with magic and those born without. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Peter Knapp at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management sold North American rights.  Sarah McCabe at McElderry Books has bought world English rights to the YA graphic novel Perfect Season by authors and filmmakers Rebekah McKendry (l.) and David Ian McKendry (c.), illustrated by Fern Roberts (r.). Pitched as Friday Night Lights meets Scream, the book follows the new girl in town as she investigates the high school football team that would do anything to maintain their winning streak—including human sacrifice. Publication is tentatively set for spring 2028; Bridget Smith and Valentina Sainato at JABberwocky Literary Agency represented the authors, and Claire Draper at Au Literary Management represented the illustrator.  Tamara Grasty at Page Street has acquired Monica Chin's debut novel Don't Print This, a queer YA mystery about a boy who becomes entangled in the murder investigation of a local reporter in order to rebuild his relationship with his best friend, who also happens to be the reporter's son. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Nicole Eisenbraun at Ginger Clark Literary handled the deal for world rights.  Liz Kossnar at Little, Brown has bought world rights to Too Big to Say, an upper middle grade novel with graphic novel elements, written by Lambda Award-winning author Phil Bildner (l.) and illustrated by Lambda Award-winning creator Mike Curato, about two friends who help each other make tough decisions while on a joint mission to hike up a mountain and climb a fire tower, pitched as an LGBTQ+ Stand by Me for fans of The Trouble with Heroes and Hey, Kiddo. Publication is set for winter 2027; Erin Murphy while at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the illustrator.  Anuoluwapo Ohioma at Disney/Freedom Fire has acquired two books in a new paranormal horror series for middle graders, Monster Hunters of Lost Lake by Damara Allen (The Skeleton Flute). Siblings Charlie and Claire discover that their unassuming grandfather has been secretly protecting the town of Lost Lake from monsters. When something happens to him, it's up to them to step outside their comfort zones and pick up where he left off. Publication will begin in spring 2028; Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency did the deal for world rights.  Margot Blankier at Tundra Books has bought Frogatha's Birthday, a picture book by debut author-illustrator Eva Lou Phillips, winner of the MICA Ezra Jack Keats Collegiate Bookmaking Competition. The story introduces Frogatha, a frog girl living in a human world, who is afraid of the spotlight and must hatch a plan to avoid celebrating her birthday at school. Publication is scheduled for spring 2028, with a second book to follow in spring 2029; Claire Morance and Shadra Strickland at Painted Words sold world rights.  Laura Godwin at Godwin Books has acquired world rights to A Super Definitely True Story of the Great Animal Race by Dane Liu (l.), illustrated by Aki, a cheeky picture book retelling of the zodiac race folktale, in which the winner Rat sets the record straight, featuring an evil Jade Emperor and gutsy Rat, who helped all the animals stand up and fight back. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Wendi Gu at HG Literary represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Agency represented the illustrator.  Ellen Cormier at Dial has bought world rights to The Explorers, a picture book by Dee Hahn (l.), illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee. No one loves exploring quite like Etta and Grandma Maisie—but with Etta off to school and Grandma Maisie off to the retirement home, their adventures seem worlds apart. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Naomi Davis at BookEnds represented the author, and Kelly Sonnack at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  BartlebyMatt Phelan. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-3743-9355-7 In a classroom of young anthropomorphized animals, polar bear cub Bartleby, nattily clad in a bright red bowler, necktie, and overalls, keeps separate from the other students engaging in circle time. Invited to join the class in sharing, music-making, and play, he responds with certitude, “I prefer not to.” But a wordless image of Bartleby looking on while his classmates toss a ball seems to point to a yearning for connection, and when the class creates self-portraits, Bartleby finds a way to join in while staying true to himself. more  Emeka, Eat Egusi!Candice Iloh, illus. by Bea Jackson. Atheneum, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-665-93761-0 Young Emeka is accustomed to his days’ flow: being picked up from school by brother Ebuka, choosing an orange object from ingredients on the kitchen counter, and enjoying jollof rice for dinner. Though his family encourages him to try Mama’s egusi, he repeats, “Orange rice, please” until Mama gives in. One day, Mama invites Emeka into the kitchen to assist her and becomes curious about the duo’s creation. more  Ramadan RainJamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, illus. by Aliaa Betawi. Random House Studio, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-593-70544-5 A child grapples with “needs and wants and wishes” during Ramadan in this quietly moving picture book. At the masjid, Haneen encounters others with new clothes and plushies, and channels a yearning for similar objects into an Eid card for Momma. But Momma’s resultant upset suggests that the items are out of reach and leads Haneen to ask the creator for “what I want most.” more  You Are Now Old Enough to Hear ThisAaron Starmer, illus. by Jaime Zollars. Penguin Workshop, $18.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-593-75109-1 Twelve-year-old Roman Barnes has always feared the lore about the infamous Toe Beast, a story about how Roman’s grandfather lost his pinkie toe and the events that occurred thereafter. In the attic, Roman finds a jar of murky green liquid—supposedly where the fabled toe was once kept—and a notebook containing a bizarre yet alluring story about a young girl and a pack of dogs. That’s nothing compared to what he finds locked up in his grandfather's shed, though. more |
December 2, 2025
 
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People David Higham Associates in London has acquired The Bent Agency UK. TBA managing director Molly Ker Hawn is joining DHA as director; TBA rights manager Emma Lagarde, associate agent Martha Perotto-Wills, and agency assistant Aminah Amjad are also joining. Isobel Boston has been named children’s book agent at DHA; most recently she was commissioning editor at Walker Books. And DHA agent and director Caroline Walsh has retired after nearly 30 years with the agency.On-Sale Calendar  2025 isn’t over just yet! Readers can bid the year farewell with this month’s slate of offerings. YA readers can enjoy Better in Black by Cassandra Clare, An Archive of Romance by Ava Reid, The Obsession by Natasha Preston, and There’s Always Next Year by George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson. On the graphic novels front there’s Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes, illus. by Setor Fiadzigbey; Gabby Torres Is the Best Winner Ever by Angela Dominguez; and The Glass Scientists Volume Three by S.H. Cotugno. Picture books to snuggle up with include Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Dances His Heart Out by Dolly Parton, illus. by MacKenzie Haley; Clydeo versus Peanut Butter by Jennifer Aniston, illus. by Bruno Jacob; and A Stickler Valentine by Lane Smith. For more books releasing this December, check out PW’s On-Sale Calendar here. Bestsellers  Children's Frontlist Fiction#1 Big Jim Believes (Dog Man #14) by Dav Pilkey. Click here  Picture Books#1 How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace, illus. by Andy Elkerton. Click here Best Books  Best Children's Books 2025Our selections for the top 50 books of the year, for readers of all ages. MORE Follow Us  Follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! Bookshelf Archives Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? Click here for our archives page! CONTACT US
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Children's Bookshelf
Editors: Diane Roback and Emma Kantor Assistant Editor: Iyana Jones Digital Producer: Michael Seidlinger Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: childrensbooks@publishersweekly.com For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below. Copyright 2025, PWxyz, LLC. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and the PW Logo are trademarks of PWxyz, LLC. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. To view back issues of Children's Bookshelf, click here. You are receiving this email because npkvdejmf6@nie.podam.pl subscribed to one of Publishers Weekly's newsletters. If you are not npkvdejmf6@nie.podam.pl, then please disregard this message. Update your newsletter preferences here. PW takes spam very seriously. This email message meets all the requirements of the United States CAN-SPAM Act and Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL). To remove yourself from the Children's Bookshelf email list, unsubscribe.  |
