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In the Spotlight
 Fall 2026 Sneak PreviewsSee highlights of the children's and YA titles due out next season—including highly anticipated debuts, follow-ups to bestselling novels, and collaborations between favorite authors and illustrators—in our exclusive roundup. And keep an eye out for our spring listings. more  Black HIstory Month
 2026 Black History Month Picture Book BiographiesIn honor of Black History Month, PW showcases a selection of picture book offerings that highlight the achievements and impact of influential Black figures throughout history. more In the News
 Publishers Near and Far Step Up for Minnesota’s ChildrenAfter ICE agents descended on the Twin Cities in December, a number of the area's presses, as well as a California publisher with ties to Minneapolis, are working to provide books to children amid violent ICE crackdowns, which have impacted in-person school attendance. more
Book News
 Simon & Schuster Relaunches Simon Pulse ImprintThis summer, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing will reintroduce its Simon Pulse imprint with a new crop of young adult books, spanning a variety of genres. Six titles, including mysteries, thrillers, horror stories, and romantic comedies, will comprise the initial roll-out, with additional releases slated for the fall and beyond. more Just Announced
 'The Siren' by Tomi AdeyemiHenry Holt Books for Young Readers has announced the forthcoming publication of The Siren, the new YA dark academia by Children of Blood and Bone author Tomi Adeyemi. The author catapulted into literary success at age 18 with the 2018 release of her debut fantasy novel, first in her Legacy of Orisha trilogy. more   Four Questions
 Shannon J. SpannYou’ve heard of dark academia. Shannon J. Spann introduces readers to dark theater in her debut YA fantasy novel A Stage Set for Villains. In the fictional world of Theatron, those in the North abstain from creative endeavors while those in the South are ruled by them, namely by the gods who reign over the Playhouse, a magical theatrical experience. We spoke with Spann about tapping into her own theater roots and facing a world with an imperfect moral compass. Q: Are you a big theater fan yourself? A: I was such a theater kid; I did a lot of theater in high school. I think there’s something special about it, especially for the misfits of the world. It’s this escape where you get to try on someone else’s shoes and step into this other portal. It’s very freeing in a way that I think is needed in high school. While I was writing this, I liked the idea of putting a home in between the pages for the theater kids to come back to. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of February 9 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a picture book highlighting a family reunion, a middle grade novel showcasing the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, a YA fantasy about a teen attempting to regain the gods’ favor for her kingdom, and more. more In Brief
 In Brief: February 5, 2026Recently, two notable activists launched their collaboration, a children’s literature historian made an appearance at an exhibition, a YA author celebrated a new mystery novel, and supporters christened a nonprofit’s new office. more
Rights Report
 Regan Winter and Cassandra Merlee Phan at Disney-Hyperion have acquired world rights to two YA thrillers by Maggie Auffarth. In Dead Swans Don't Sing, Natalie Dee has a mission to join the beautiful, elite lifeguard crew at a wealthy lake club. But when bodies of her fellow lifeguards start to wash up on the club's shores, outsider Natalie is suspect number one. In Ice Queens Don't Bleed, an elite ice dancer dreams of getting gold, but soon finds beneath the glitter and grace there is cutthroat competition—literally. Publication of the first book is set for spring 2027; Jessica Regel at Helm Literary Agency represented the author.  Simon Boughton at Norton Young Readers has bought Absent by Rex Ogle, a middle grade novel about three very different boys who form an unlikely friendship in detention after repeatedly skipping school for reasons rooted in poverty, told through a blend of prose, verse, and comics from each boy's point of view. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Brent Taylor at Triada US sold world English rights.  Rosemary Brosnan at Quill Tree has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Bean by Bree Paulsen (Garlic & the Vampire). In this middle grade graphic novel, tiny (and agoraphobic) forest creature Bean is forced to face their greatest fears when the last remaining piece of their family is stolen, leaving them no choice but to confront the monsters they're most afraid of. Publication is planned for winter 2029; Britt Siess at Britt Siess Creative Management sold world English rights.  Krista Vitola at Simon & Schuster has bought North American rights to middle grade novel Jitty and the Machine by Mitali Banerjee Ruths (l.), illustrated by Iacopo Bruno, a steampunk adventure set in Victorian India driven by a young inventor who gets caught up in a wild scheme and races to outwit forces far more powerful than she ever imagined. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Victoria Wells Arms at HG Literary represented the author, and the illustrator represented himself.  Samia Garcia-Fakih at First Second has acquired world rights to Wipe Out, a middle grade graphic novel by Saadia Faruqi (l.), illustrated by Karen De la Vega, about a Pakistani American boy who is obsessed with skateboarding, but learns the importance of family during a summer reunion. Publication is set for 2028; Kari Sutherland at KT Literary represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.  Joy Peskin at FSG has bought, in an exclusive submission, four books in an illustrated middle-grade chapter book series called The Bestie Book by Tiffany Everett, which follows three best friends who end up in different middle schools but come up with a plan to stay close: mail a diary back and forth. Publication of the first book is scheduled for winter 2028; Nicole Tugeau at Tugeau 2 sold world rights.  Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired world rights to Stephanie Rondeau's debut middle grade novel Tiny Purple Threads. Years after her beloved sister McKenna's death, 12-year-old Sophie finds what she thinks are messages from McKenna, encouraging Sophie to pursue her dreams. But her efforts are complicated by competition from her archenemy, her mother's conflicting plans for her future, and the struggle to balance living for herself with honoring McKenna's memory. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Ann Rose at Tobias Literary Agency brokered the deal.  Hannah Smith at Owl Hollow Press has bought, in an exclusive four-book submission, Kolila the Ice Pirate by Lauren Nicolle Taylor (The Woodlands), a middle grade environmental fantasy in which Kolila, next in line to become chief of her Arctic tribe, embarks on her first solo raid only to discover that some threats have teeth—ones that consume more than flesh and that challenge everything she believes about leadership, strength, and survival. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Jessica Schmeidler at Golden Wheat Literary did the deal for North American rights.  Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired two books in the Tales of Mineral County early graphic novel series, written and illustrated by Alice Feagan. The series features a child's rock collection that comes to life, with book one starring Pattie Pyrite, a.k.a. fool's gold, who tries to disguise herself as the real thing. Publication will begin in spring 2028; Heather and Ethan Long negotiated the deal for world rights.  AZ Hackett at Viking has bought world rights to Hoopily Ever After: A Basketball Fairy Tale, a picture book by WNBA superstar Breanna Stewart (l.) with Megan Lacera (c.), illustrated by Ashley Evans (r.). In this comedic retelling of Cinderella, the goal isn't the heart of a prince, but a spot on the best basketball team in the kingdom. Publication is set for spring 2027; Lindsay Colas at Wasserman represented Stewart, John Cusick at Folio Literary represented Lacera, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented Evans.  Maria Russo at Union Square Kids has acquired world rights to The Moat by Gideon Sterer (l.) (If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone), illustrated by Emily Hughes (The Snail), a picture book about a boy king facing an encroaching army who spurns his advisers' suggestion to construct a deadly moat and builds something a bit more welcoming instead. Publication is scheduled for winter 2028; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the author and illustrator.  Gianna Lakenauth at Knopf has bought Mateo's Alebrije by Mariana Ríos Ramírez (l.) (Abuelita's Gift), illustrated by Rocío Arreola Mendoza. A boy spends the summer at his Abuelo's workshop where he discovers the magic and tradition of making alebrijes. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Natascha Morris at Tobias Literary Agency represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Nancy Paulsen at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to The Hand-Me-Down Queen by Emily Barth Isler (l.), illustrated by Paige Keiser, a picture book starring a fashionable girl whose pre-owned clothing gives her a connection to her family and helps save the environment. Publication is slated for summer 2028; Emily Keyes at Keyes Agency represented the author, and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Sarah Rockett at Sleeping Bear Press has bought world rights to No Hats Allowed by Christina Shawn (l.), illustrated by Amy Jindra Hodgson. A town has a strict rule restricting hats, until Suzie Q makes the cutest matching hats for herself and her cat, which prompts the entire town to want to change the rule so they can have one, too. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary represented the author, and Christy Ewers at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Bonnie Bader at Marble Press has acquired world rights to Ms. Swirly's Compliment Machine by Jana Mattern (l.), illustrated by Judit Orosz, a picture book about the power of a kind word that empowers young readers to use their voice for good, for publication in fall 2026. Jennifer Newens at Martin Literary Management represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.  Courtney Code at Abrams has bought world rights to Desert Cantos: The Story of Linda Ronstadt by Nydia Armendia-Sánchez (l.), illustrated by Mirelle Ortega, a dual narrative picture book biography following the life of singer-songwriter Linda Ronstadt weaving Spanish and English languages where the Desert encourages Linda to explore her Sonoran Desert homeland and true identity, while the musicality of her family ignites a passion for song that creates a lifelong bond with her Mexican heritage. Publication is set for spring 2028; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and James Burns at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Alexandra Hinrichs at Islandport Press has acquired world rights to The Cosmic Journey of Jessica Meir by Jamie Hogan, a picture book biography of American astronaut Jessica Meir, who made history as part of the first all-woman spacewalk in 2019 and is scheduled to return to space in February 2026. Publication is planned for fall 2026; the author represented herself.  Rebecca Glaser at Amicus Ink has bought world rights to Little Octopus and Little Shark by Julie Abery (l.), illustrated by Ivy Traszi. These two titles launch a board book series called Little Ocean Friends, rhyming books that follow the young creatures' adventures as they grow and learn about their ocean habitat. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Essie White at Essie White Literary represented the author, and Lucie Luddington at Luddington Creative represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  Three Pieces of Broken GlassEmily Barth Isler, illus. by Vesper Stamper. Abrams, $19.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-4197-7872-8 An unnamed child narrator enjoys visiting Great-Grandma Inge, who “sets the table like it’s a special occasion... and serves our water in fancy glasses.” When the youth inadvertently shatters one of the rose-tinged vessels, the woman offers comfort, saying, “It’s not only good luck to break glass sometimes, but it’s also tradition,” and gestures to three shards on the windowsill, each of which correlate to a pivotal moment in her life. more  Truman Toad and the Quest for the Perfect Hug Oren Lavie, illus. by Anke Kuhl. Enchanted Lion, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-5927-0459-0 Google-eyed amphibian Truman Toad lives solo “in a little apartment with a giant mirror.” Fond of talking to his reflection, he spends hours chatting with it about “such pleasant topics as Toad Fashion, Swamp Culture, and the charm of Puddle Picnics,” writes Lavie, instantly establishing a feel for the character’s nature. Then a sublime dream sends Truman seeking what mirrors can’t provide: an ideal embrace. more  Just One Gift Linda Sue Park, illus. by Robert Sae-Heng. Clarion, $18.99 (80p) ISBN 978-0-063-32463-3 This slim collection of poems, a companion to Park and Sae-Heng’s previous collaboration The One Thing You’d Save, both inspired by Korean sijo verse, invites readers to reflect deeply about the needs and desires of people in their lives. After drawing from a hat the word "family," "friend," or a question mark that represents “other,” Ms. Chang’s students must choose someone they know who fits in that category. Told to consider “if you could give that person just one gift, what would it be?” the youth must then pick something that the person has never asked for. more  When You’re Brave EnoughRebecca Bendheim. Viking, $18.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-593-69513-5 Though 13-year-old Lacey is devastated to leave Texas to move to Rhode Island, she’s excited to join her new school’s vibrant theater program. Lacey lands the lead role in the musical, but her excitement sours upon learning about the more than 50-years-long tradition of the male and female leads sharing a kiss onstage during the final performance—the only costar she’s interested in is fellow new girl Violet. As opening night approaches, Lacey grapples with strained family dynamics, and decides to pursue becoming a bat mitzvah, along the way reflecting on her relationship with Judaism and tradition. more  How the Other Half DieP.C. Roscoe. Little, Brown, $12.99 paper (352p) ISBN 978-0-316601-78-8 Affluent college student Avery Finch can’t wait to soothe herself from her breakup with Hugo Vandenburg by spending the summer on Mokani Island. This year, the Finches invite Avery’s roommate Nora Miller but the girls’ plans for rest and relaxation are foiled, however, by the arrival of Hugo and his family, who own Mokani Island. When a tropical storm descends on the island, already existing fissures within the vacationers’ relationships widen; trouble intensifies with the discovery of a brutally murdered corpse. more |
February 5, 2026
 
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