Breaking children's and young adult publishing news, author interviews, rights deals, book reviews,
PW Children's Bookshelf: Breaking children's and YA publishing news, author interviews, bestsellers lists and reviews.
Warriors: Changing Skies #1: The Elders' Quest by Erin Hunter
National Book Awards
Shifa Saltagi Safadi Wins NBA for Young People's Literature
The 75th annual National Book Awards took place on November 20, gathering the biggest names in publishing for the “Oscars of books.” The winner of this year's NBA for Young People’s Literature is Shifa Saltagi Safadi for her middle grade novel Kareem Between. In her acceptance speech, Safadi acknowledged the personal impact of Muslim writers before her, saying, “I would not have had the bravery of writing my first words if I had not seen Muslim books on the shelf." more
National Book Awards for Young People's Literature in Photos
We've gathered highlights from last night’s NBA ceremony, featuring the five finalists for the Young People's Literature prize, along with their editors. more
Many Different Perspectives': Highlights from the NBA Teens Read Panel
More than 600 students and teachers from 24 New York City middle and high schools gathered at Symphony Space on November 19 for the 2024 Teens Read event, formerly known as the Teen Press Conference. This year's finalists for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature were invited for a morning of sharing their work and process with readers. more
Happy Anniversary
We Need Diverse Books Marks 10 Years and Looks to the Future
We Need Diverse Books has come a long way from its 2014 origins, when reaction to BookCon’s all-white, mostly male author lineup galvanized discussions online. As the nonprofit marks a decade of expanding representation, its founders discussed current challenges and what lies ahead.
more
From the Shanghai Fair
2024 Shanghai Children’s
Book Fair in Photos

On November 17, the 11th edition of the China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair concluded its three-day run after hosting 497 exhibitors from 32 countries/regions. Click through for photo highlights from the fair, which included professional events, book launches, and activities to promote reading. more
Hollins University: Graduate Programs
On the Scene
On Tour with Katherine Rundell
Last month, U.K. author Katherine Rundell crossed the Atlantic for a North American tour in celebration of the launch of Impossible Creatures, the first in her worlds-hopping middle grade fantasy trilogy. We’ve gathered photo highlights from her travels, which included school and bookstore visits. more
In the Pacific Northwest, a Children's Book Festival Draws Eager Readers
Mid-November proved excellent timing for the first-ever Poulsbo Kids’ Book Festival in Poulsbo, Wash., organized by Liberty Bay Books co-owners Suzanne Selfors and her son Walker Ranson. Sponsorship from Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey and his spouse Sayuri Pilkey supported author and illustrator events at 14 regional schools on November 15, the day before the public festival. more
Emerging Writers
Purse for Boston Public Library's Residency for Children's Writers More Than Doubles
Last month the Associates Program of the Boston Public Library in Boston, an independent nonprofit dedicated to conserving the library's special collections, marked the 20th anniversary of its Writer-in-Residence Program for aspiring children's and YA authors with the announcement of a new incentive. more
Q & A
Marisha Pessl
Adult author Marisha Pessl follows her YA debut Neverworld Wake with suspense thriller Darkly. When 17-year-old Dia sees an ad seeking seven teens for an unusual summer internship, she knows she can’t pass up the opportunity. But after Dia and her fellow interns are transported to a small island, they quickly find their job to be much different—and far more deadly—than advertised. Pessl spoke with us about the influences behind her work and the differences and similarities between writing for children and adults.

Q: Your entire backlist—both adult and YA—is thriller and suspense. What initially drew you to this genre?

A: I love taking the reader on this wild ride and surprising them by taking them to a place they didn’t previously think they were going. It’s also my Trojan horse for plumbing the space between coming-of-age themes and what happens when a young person comes up against some of the realities of the adult world. more
Out Next Week
Hot Off the Press:
Week of November 25

Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book about a polar bear’s migration, a middle grade series conclusion about an epic rescue mission, a queer YA reimagining of Robin Hood, and more. more
In Brief

In Brief: November 21, 2024
Recently, an author held a fundraiser at her book launch, an author invited her mother to an event, an author illustrator made her way to N.Y.C., and illustrators celebrated being part of an art show. more

For more about these and other great jobs, visit the new PW JobZone, now with resume hosting and more!

Rights Report
Alexandra Hightower at Little, Brown has acquired, in a six-figure, multi-house auction, Wicked Endeavors by Kamilah Cole, a YA romantasy duology set in a Spanish Renaissance-inspired kingdom, about a vengeful teen who cons her way into a high society of elite witches, only for her revenge to be threatened by her warring feelings for both a manipulative enemy prince and the stoic childhood friend who betrayed her, pitched as a love letter to the power of Black women's anger. Publication for the first book is set for summer 2026; Emily Forney at Bookends Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.
Rachel Stark at Disney-Hyperion has bought, in a six-figure deal, in an exclusive submission, Body Count by Codie Crowley (Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch). In this sapphic slasher novel, the last time Sundae Valentine was in Wildwood, N.J., she made a deal with a monster and barely escaped with her life. Six years later, she's braving Wildwood again, this time for a beach party to celebrate prom with her fellow cheerleaders and the football team. But this time, the monster is determined to make her pay her debts. Publication is slated for June 2026; Larissa Melo Pienkowski at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the deal for world English rights.
Courtney Stevenson at HarperCollins/Quill Tree has acquired world rights to How to Talk to an Alien, an illustrated middle grade guide to the astrobiology, linguistics, physics, and technology that will be required to speak to an alien (should you ever meet one), by Up Periscope! author and science communicator Jennifer Swanson. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Lisa Amstutz at Storm Literary Agency brokered the deal.
Caroline Abbey at Random House has bought world rights to What If? by Chris Grabenstein (l.), author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series, illustrated by David Roberts, a picture book in which a child learns about all the wonderful things they might do as they grow up. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Carrie Hannigan and Josh Getzler at HG Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.
Celia Lee at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to My Love Grows by Ashley Woodfolk (l.), illustrated by Naoko Stoop. This rhyming picture book compares the unpredictable beauty of early parenthood (and babies) to a blossoming, everchanging garden. Publication is set for fall 2026; Beth Phelan at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency represented the author, and Brenda Bowen at the Book Group represented the artist.
Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Haunted by History: How President Harry Truman Saved the White House by Brittany Richman (l.), illustrated by Nancy Carpenter, a nonfiction picture book in which a new president moves into the White House and faces some spooky surprises that transform into a heartfelt mission to save the house from ruin and preserve its history. Publication is slated for summer 2027; Alexander Slater at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Alice Curry at Lantana Publishing has acquired What Makes a Family by Eric Ruiz Roxas (l.), illustrated by Aldy Aguirre. In this picture book set during Undas, the Filipino Day of the Dead, a brother and sister learn that families aren't defined by their size, wealth, gender or distance from one another, but by the love they share in life and beyond. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; the creators were unagented.
Kristine Enderle has bought world rights to S'More Is Enough by Brenda Miles (l.), illustrated by Monika Filipina, a picture book about Graham, a s'more with an ooey-gooey middle and a square of sweetness who wonders what more could he be? Publication is planned for fall 2025; the author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at Bright Group US represented the illustrator.
Autumn Allen at Barefoot Books has acquired world rights to Every Body Move! by debut author Jenna Elyse Johnson (l.), illustrated by Ananya Rao Middleton (I Am, You Are), a sing-along picture book that celebrates kids with disabilities and the tools that help them access their world. Publication is set for fall 2025; Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.
Lauri Hornik at Rocky Pond Books has bought Seeing Crocodiles Everywhere by Estelí Meza (Finding Home), a picture book in which sadness and anger sneak up on a child and follow her wherever she goes, until she accepts and confronts her difficult emotions. Publication is slated for fall 2025, in simultaneous English and Spanish-language editions; Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary brokered the deal for world rights.
David Behrman at Apples & Honey Press has acquired world English language rights to Aren't You a Strange Bird? by Rocio Bonilla. This picture book tells the story of a boy who undertakes a series of goofy experiments to try and understand why someone would call him "a strange bird," ultimately coming to embrace his uniqueness. Publication is scheduled for fall 2025; Carol Borràs at Edicions Bromera did the deal.
To see all of this week's deals, click here.

IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS

To the End of the World, Far, Far Away
Ronda Armitage, illus. by Victoria Turnbull. Candlewick, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-5362-3588-3

After bear cub Louis spills his milk and his mother gets upset, Louis cries, then packs up his things and storms toward the door: “I’m leaving today, I’m going away. You don’t love me anymore!” Planning to make for the end of the world, he nevertheless takes a beat: “Will you be sad when I’m gone?” Over-the-top reassurances follow: “I’ll cry night and day,” his mother declares via operatic lines from Armitage. more

Mighty: The Story of an Oak Tree Ecosystem
Henry Cole. Peachtree, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-68263-733-3

In intricate b&w spreads, Cole traces the life of a single oak from sprouting acorn to mature tree, detailing its relationship with the changing world around it. Meticulous spreads drawn entirely with fine pen combine the accuracy of scientific illustration with the dense patterning of tapestry. It’s easy to imagine touching the oak’s bark and feeling its crisp leaves in this study of an organism living among others. more

Cousins in the Time of Magic
Emma Otheguy, illus. by Poly Bernatene. Atheneum, $17.99 (240p) ISBN 978-1-6659-1518-2

After tumbling into an enormous clay pot in their tía Xia’s front yard and happening upon a magical boat, Cuban and Mexican American cousins—daredevil Jorge, his responsible older sister Camila, and would-be social media influencer Siggy—are transported from present-day Miami to 1862 Virginia, where they learn that Tía Xia is a frequent time traveler. To return home, they must make a dangerous quest to rendezvous with her in Mexico. more

Presley and the Impossible Dream
(Windy Creek Stables #1)

Kaitlyn Sage Patterson. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (176p) ISBN 978-1-250-33136-6; $8.99 paper ISBN 978-1-250-33135-9

Eleven-year-old animal lover Presley Elder-Sharaf yearns to become a professional equestrian. When Presley tags along with her veterinarian stepfather to visit the nearby Windy Creek Stables, she seizes the opportunity to at last spend time around her beloved equines. Now Presley must somehow convince her mother to let her take lessons, which Presley plans to cover the cost of by volunteering at the stables. more

Unlock the Dark
Sasa Hawk. HarperCollins, $19.99 (352p) ISBN 978-0-06-333503-5

Elia Tallis is capable of unlocking almost anything, but when Morthanos, the god of death, claims her youngest brother as an acolyte as punishment, Elia reluctantly makes a bargain with Prince Trystoferian Lightdragon. In exchange for the prince’s resources and protection for her remaining siblings, Elia must accompany him to a land that’s closed to outsiders in search of the Scroll of Peace, which is said to have the power to end the relentless war ravaging their kingdom. more

November 21, 2024
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Warriors: Changing Skies #1: The Elders' Quest by Erin Hunter
Circana: Future of Books Forecast
To Our Readers
Next week we'll have one issue of Children's Bookshelf, on Tuesday, November 26. See you then!
ICYMI
Cover Reveal: 'J vs. K' by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft
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Putnam Locks Down 'The Escape Game' by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss
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U.K. Author Cynthia Murphy Lands Three-Book Deal with Delacorte
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Remembering
Bruce Degen

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Best Books
Best Children's Books 2024
Our selections for the top 50 books of the year, for readers of all ages. MORE
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