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In the Spotlight
 PW's Summer Reads 2026For beach blankets, park benches, and, of course, boring stretches, our editors' summer picks for children and teens include playful picture books, mesmerizing middle grade, and yearning young adult reads from debut and seasoned creators. more  In the News
 Inaugural Children’s Booker Prize Launches, Opens Search for Child JudgesThe Booker Prize Foundation has revealed further details regarding the 2027 prize for children’s fiction, the first of its kind from the U.K.-based organization behind the prestigious Booker Prize and International Booker Prize. more  PRH, Iowa Safe Schools Petition Appeals CourtPlaintiffs in two complaints against Iowa Senate File 496, a bill that has enabled the removal of hundreds of K–12 library books in the state, have filed petitions for en banc hearings at the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. more  Indie Bookstore Day 2026: A Cause for Celebration Despite economic uncertainty, independent booksellers across the country saw sales soar this past weekend thanks to special events and promotions that have become bigger, more creative, and more elaborate. more  Scholastic’s FanWing Fest Fires Up Readers After a sold-out debut run last spring, the Wings of Fire FanWing Fest, an immersive festival experience presented by Scholastic, which spotlights Tui T. Sutherland’s popular dragon fantasy series, is again soaring through bookstore venues across the country this season. more
Literacy in Action
 CBC, Ingram Debut Annual Middle Grade Recommended Book ListTeachers, librarians, and booksellers looking to engage more middle grade readers—and help stop the reading slide among that demographic—have a new resource at their fingertips. The Children’s Book Council, in conjunction with Ingram Library Services, has released the first OMG: Only for Middle Graders book list. more  HBG, ACLU Collaborate on Reading and Civics Hachette Book Group and the American Civil Liberties Union are teaming to amplify HBG’s Raising Readers literacy campaign and the ACLU’s animated series Know Your Rights University. more   First Person
 Editor Howard W. Reeves on Why ‘We the People’ Must Be All Our Agenda Ahead of the 250th anniversary of the United States, we invited Abrams editor at large Howard W. Reeves to discuss how his new picture book, We the People Is All the People, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, underscores the current social and political tension in America. more In Conversation
 April Henry and Wendy Schmalz April Henry (l.) is the author of many popular mysteries and thrillers for teens and adults, including her new YA novel, In the Blood. We asked Henry and her agent Wendy Schmalz (r.) to discuss their long working relationship, which spans 33 years and 32 books—33, if you count Henry’s forthcoming 2027 release. more  Interviews
 Julia RiewJulia Riew, composer-lyricist, songwriter, and coauthor of the YA novel The Last Tiger, makes her solo debut with her middle grade fantasy Shim Jung Takes the Dive. In this story inspired by Korean folklore, Jung stumbles upon a magical underwater kingdom ruled by a vengeful queen intent on destroying the mortal world. Riew spoke with PW about Korean storytelling and her viral TikTok musical. Q: Why did you decide to set this story in a fictional world? A: I was interested in telling a story that was culturally authentic to my experience as a Korean American. What’s so exciting about fantasy is that you can create entirely new worlds, and those worlds are not necessarily bound by the same cultural or gender rules—or any of the other social rules—as the real world. more  Kiara ValdezGraphic novel editor Kiara Valdez teams up with illustrator Richy Sánchez Ayala in the author’s debut original work, picture book Mami’s Magic Words. In the book, a child reflects on the Dominican expressions her family uses at home. We spoke with Valdez about the importance of keeping one’s culture alive through language and how her editorial and authorial careers have evolved. Q: The protagonist’s mother says that “every word holds our history.” What did you want to convey through this idea? A: I grew up Dominican American. So, I wanted to focus on celebrating that specific cultural interaction, because that’s who I am. I know that not only Dominicans, but other Latinos also have those words that have become a cross-cultural representation of who they are in the U.S. Mami’s Magic Words is an homage to that intersection of language. more
Rights Report
 Jenny Bak at Viking has acquired Sheen by Nebula Award nominee Cindy Pon (Want), pitched as Caraval with a touch of Jack the Ripper. Set in a world where magic users are bought and sold as indentured servants, a young woman lives among a traveling troupe of performers with illegal magic. When her own powers come surging forth, she discovers she's the only hope against a dark shade draining gifted people of their lifeforce. Publication is slated for fall 2028; Eric Smith at Neighborhood Literary handled the deal for world rights.  Alyson Heller at Simon Pulse has bought Aileen Iaccino's debut YA novel, The End and Everything After, a "cosy" murder mystery in which a group of true crime podcasters investigate an unsolved murder in an idyllic town's B&B. Olive wants nothing to do with the group's quest to find the killer, but it soon becomes clear that she might not have a choice—because Olive is next. Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Becca Langton at Darley Anderson Children's Books sold North American rights.  Christy Ottaviano at Little Brown/Ottaviano has acquired, in an exclusive submission, April Henry's YA novel Dig Another Grave. In this thriller, Cheyenne—who is blind—and Griffin are hiking deep in the wilderness when they come face-to-face with a murderer. Publication is set for 2027; Wendy Schmalz at Wendy Schmalz Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Angela Quezada Padron at Dream Jar/Yellow Brick Books has acquired world rights to The Happiness Project by Robin Mellom (l.) (Confessions from the Principal's Kid), a middle grade novel about a sixth-grade girl who discovers that her school's wellness technology is being used to manipulate students' emotions and engineer their behavior to ensure their happiness, and she is determined to expose the project before it spreads nationwide. Publication is slated for fall 2028; the author was unagented.  Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought, in a preempt, Andrea Offermann's How Wilhelm Werner Became a Thief!, a nonfiction graphic chapter book about a museum caretaker who secretly hid banned paintings by a Jewish artist to protect them from destruction during the Nazi regime. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Sean McCarthy at Sean McCarthy Literary Agency sold world English rights.  Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has acquired, in a two-book deal, Tiny Mayan Prince by Pablo Leon (Silenced Voices). In this young reader graphic novel series, a young Mayan prince must journey through the perilous jungle to retrieve a mythical flower that can save his missing mother and heal a wounded demigod. Publication is set for 2028; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world English rights.  Emma Ledbetter at Candlewick Press has bought, in a preempt, Corella Crumple: Collector of Bad Drawings and a second untitled picture book written and illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Cindy Derby. It introduces Corella Crumple: a weird little fairy who delights in gathering up the mangled, scrumpled drawings frustrated children have cast aside, taking them to her palace and rehabilitating them with a bit of therapy, spa time, and appreciation for them exactly as they are. Book one will publish in spring 2028; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.  Lee Wade at Random House Studio has acquired Tom Booth's wordless picture book, Cub and Bear, in which a determined bear cub and patient papa search for berries, but after being thwarted again and again, the little cub finally discovers his roar and a sweet reward. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Rick Richter at Aevitas Creative Management sold world rights.  Julia McCarthy at Atheneum has bought A Book for Everyone, a picture book by artist and musician Tim Fite (A Bucket of Questions), which traces one book's journey from reader to reader and answers the enigmatic question: is there a book for everyone? Publication is scheduled for spring 2027; Kevin O'Connor at O'Connor Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Joy Bean at Arctis Books USA has acquired the debut picture book Abby Gives Up, written and illustrated by Jeanne Verlhacm (l.), translated from the French by Nanette McGuinness. In the picture book, a girl panics because she has to go on an overnight school trip. Every time she tries to do something, it seems to be a disaster, but after a visit from an unexpected friend, she sees things in a new light. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Claire Hartmann at La Petite Agence negotiated the deal for world English rights.  Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights to Enjoy Every Sandwich, a picture book by Adam Rubin (l.) (Dragons Love Tacos), illustrated by Felicita Sala (Bored), about the quest for enlightenment and its necessary accoutrement—the perfect, signature sandwich to accompany the journey, inspired by Warren Zevon's entreaty to Enjoy Every Sandwich. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Jennifer Joel at CAA represented the author, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.  Joy Peskin at FSG has acquired world rights to Cool Like That, a picture book by Tanisia Moore (l.), illustrated by Kitt Thomas, in which a boy and his grandfather are best friends, connected by joyful days by the lake, fresh cuts at the barbershop, sweet treats, and even a signature handshake. Their world shifts when Papa moves away, but their bond proves just as strong during a joyful summer by the ocean, celebrating love, memories, and ties that hold across any distance. Publication is set for winter 2028; Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Starling Literary + Media represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the artist.  Claire Tattersfield at Viking has bought world rights to Our Chinatown Market by Jasmine Fang (l.), illustrated by Thai My Phuong, a picture book about a community coming together to save a local, beloved Chinese market. Publication is set for spring 2028; Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the author, who is now represented by Ashley Reisinger at Triada US, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Catherine Laudone at S&S/Beach Lane Books has acquired world rights to Bundled by Laura Gehl (l.), illustrated by Josée Masse, a picture book celebrating the many fall and winter seasonal activities best experienced while "bundled" up in a cozy coat and scarf, under covers, or in a warm hug. Publication is slated for fall 2028; Erzsi Deak at Hen&Ink Literary represented the author, and Claire Morance at Painted Words represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  All the Ways We LearnChloe Ito Ward, illus. by Yaroslava Apollonova. Rise x Penguin Workshop, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 979-8-217-05037-6 Starting with a curiosity-led prompt—“What does learning look like?”—neurodivergent team Ito Ward and Apollonova highlight classroom accommodations in this supportive title. Plain-spoken first-person narration follows a repeated pattern as it notes common classroom scenarios. Friendly, beachy hued digital renderings feature uncluttered classrooms as individuals of various abilities and skin tones straightforwardly navigate experiences and adaptations across this open-armed portrait of differentiated learning. more  Kindergarten Gets ReadyNaomi Danis, illus. by Pete Oswald. Little, Brown, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-316-58113-4 A teacher prepares for the first day of school in this insightful behind-the-scenes look from Danis and Oswald. Through the actions of bespectacled, brown-skinned educator Mr. Bee, clad in a red cardigan, readers watch the kindergarten classroom transform for the new school year. The room comes alive in soft-edged gouache, colored pencil, and digital art, which offers a brightening palette as Mr. Bee readies the room, and incorporates playful details. more  Raven, RisingChristine Hartman Derr. Heartdrum, $18.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-06-343283-3 Cherokee Nation citizen Derr makes her debut in this cozy, lived-in fantasy novel about a magical tween baker healing from loss. Newly arrived in Bear Creek Falls, where she now lives with her aunt Coral after her parents' death, Raven attempts to get back into a routine. But attending school proves just as isolating as staying home, especially when popular girls start spreading rumors that Raven is a witch who killed her parents. Things start looking up when Aunt Coral allows Raven to take in a stray cat and her kittens, and Raven befriends classmates Laurel and Hazel. more  EvamarMargarita Engle. Atheneum, $19.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-66598-807-0 In alternating sections, two teens narrate this spellbinding identity-focused verse novel. Cuban American 17-year-old Evamar sets out for Cuba with detailed instructions to return her late grandmother Evasol’s remains to her garden. Shorter interstitials follow 18-year-old Río, a talented percussionist who was deported to Cuba at 16 after spending most of his life in Florida. When she meets Río, hired to translate for her tour group while staying in Cuba, they approach their connection cautiously, mindful of their impending separation, but their bond intensifies. more  The Lure of Wolves and WhispersAmanda Connolly. S&S/Barley, $21.99 (464p) ISBN 978-1-6659-8951-0 A desperate 19-year-old strikes a deadly deal to save her older sister in this pulse-pounding romantasy debut. After mages fail to overthrow the Isle of Eireann’s tyrannical royals, the High King drains the island’s magical reservoirs and executes everyone who supported the attempted coup. It’s considered treason to barter with rebel smugglers, the Whisperers, for scraps of magic brought in from elsewhere, but needs must when Maeve Fallon’s reckless sister gets slashed with a poisoned blade during a fight. more |
April 28, 2026
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