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In the Spotlight
 Educators Promote Mental Health Awareness In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, PW spoke with educators who are using a variety of literacy-based resources to help promote emotional well-being in their classrooms and libraries to improve students’ inner lives and help get them ready to learn. more  In the News
 Patterson Pledges $10 Million to Launch Literacy InstituteAs reading experts express concerns over the drop in reading skills of middle schoolers, author James Patterson has committed $10 million to create the Patterson Institute of Early Adolescent Literacy at Vanderbilt University. The institute, which will focus on improving literacy for students in grades four to eight, will fund academic research, provide tutoring to students, and offer professional development for teachers. more Book News
 Angel City Press Marks L.A. Central Library Centennial with First Children’s Book This July marks the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Central Library. To mark the occasion, Angel City Press at the Los Angeles Public Library is releasing L Is for Librarian: The ABCs of Los Angeles Central Library and a pop-up book, which serve as the centerpieces for a festival honoring the historic building. more   In Conversation
 Keala Kendall and Kauakanilehua Māhoe AdamsAs AANHPI Heritage Month continues, we invited authors Keala Kendall (l.), a hapa Native Hawaiian, and Kauakanilehua Māhoe Adams, a first-generation Kānaka Maoli, to discuss their new YA novels, That Which Feeds Us and An Expanse of Blue, respectively, and bringing their cultural identities to the page. more First Person
 Anna Sortino on Why She Writes About Disabled Characters Living Their Lives and Falling in LoveThe author of the YA novels Give Me a Sign, On the Bright Side, and her latest, Stops Along the Way, reflects on centering the lives and loves of disabled teens in her books. "Everyone deserves the chance to have their story told," she says. more Reading Roundup
 Children’s Books to Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month 2026PW has gathered a selection of titles for young readers that highlight Jewish culture and history, including picture book biographies of prominent figures, coming-of-age novels, and stories exploring family memories. more  Q & A
 Sherine HamdyAuthor and educator Sherine Hamdy teams up with illustrator Myra El Mir on their YA graphic novel, Landing in Place. In the book, Egyptian American college student Anisa struggles to manage her immigrant parents’ expectations: though they want her to pursue medicine, Anisa yearns to become an artist. Hamdy spoke with us about the intersection of comics and medicine, and learning the art of visual storytelling through trial and error. Q: Your first publication was a nonfiction work. Why did you pursue comics as a storytelling vehicle for your subsequent projects? A: Comics cross a lot of barriers, including different learning abilities and literacy levels. There are so many people who are drawn to comics. You can also use them to add layers of complexity to something. It’s always about how you use the medium. As I learn more about comics, I learn more about how they can be used to complicate assumptions and play with different temporalities. more
Rights Report
 Stefanie Chin at Union Square & Co. has acquired world rights to Fool Me Twice by Amy Noelle Parks, a YA rom-com caper in which a teen follows in her mother's vigilante footsteps to take down a corrupt tech company, while teaming up with the boy who once broke her heart. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Elizabeth Bennett at Transatlantic Agency brokered the deal.  Kade Dishmon at Peachtree Teen has bought, at auction, Summer in Free Fall by Elliott Wiltrout, a debut queer YA romance about two teens, one proudly out and the other coming to terms with their gender identity in a restrictive evangelical household. The two must work together to save their beloved beachfront amusement park from a money-hungry developer, and maybe save each other in the process. Publication is set for summer 2028; Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.  Shana Corey at Random House Graphic has acquired, at auction, Elizabeth Baddeley's (I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark) graphic novel debut, Swimmer Girls, about Meredith, a high school freshman, who is reeling from a best friend breakup and a first crush gone wrong. She's looking for a place to fit in, and hopes to find it on the swim team. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow sold North American open market rights.  Thalia Leaf at Astra/Calkins Creek has bought world rights to the YA nonfiction book Scammer: Ego, Greed, and the Unbelievable True Story Behind Charles Ponzi's Scheme by Rebecca Siegel (How the Ghost Army Hoodwinked Hitler), which offers not only a glimpse into the life and crimes of Charles Ponzi, the con man who so thoroughly swindled Boston in 1920 that his name became synonymous with a particular type of scam, but also serves as a modern cautionary tale. Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency handled the deal for publication in fall 2028.  Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired Radical Hope: The Reconstruction Fight for Justice by Rachel C. Katz (Rise Up! Powerful Protests in American History). This YA nonfiction book explores the handful of years after the Civil War when activists briefly made groundbreaking strides toward equality for Black Americans and for women. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary did the deal for world rights.  Andrew Arnold at HarperAlley has bought, in an exclusive submission, After the Storm, a middle grade graphic novel by Hope Larson (Very Bad at Math; Very Far from Home), in which two young friends navigate the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the 2024 storm that devastated Asheville, N.C. Publication is planned for fall 2028; Andrea Colvin at Andrea Colvin Creative Agency sold world rights, in her first deal for the new agency.  Gretchen Durning at Putnam has acquired Penny Wickwell's Book of Monsters by Dora M. Mitchell (The Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves). In this middle grade graphic novel, Penny Wickwell discovers a chatty magical Book of Monsters, accidentally summons creepy creatures straight out of folklore, and has to work with the unhelpful book to send the monsters on their way before someone is dragged to their doom. Publication is set for fall 2028; Marie Lamba at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency sold world English rights.  Neal Porter while at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books bought Mom and Many Dresses by author-illustrator Matthew Rivera; Taylor Norman will edit. In the picture book, a boy loves Saturday mall trips with Mom because her department store fashion shows are even more fun than buying clothes they can't afford. When mounting bills force her to skip their outing and work extra hours, Mateo comes up with a fashion-forward plan just in time for her birthday. Publication is slated for spring 2028; Andrea Cascardi at Transatlantic Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Alvina Ling at Little, Brown/Alvina Ling Books has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Tracy Subisak's picture book, Dragon Boat Race, in which a girl paddling her first race in the Dragon Boat Festival must work alongside her team to channel their dragon spirit all the way to the finish, inspired by the author's own experience on a dragon boat team. Publication is planned for spring 2027; Lori Kilkelly at LK Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.  Tamar Brazis at Viking has bought North American rights to The Love That Carried You, the picture book debut by Jeremiah Brent (l.), interior designer and Emmy Award-winning host of Netflix's Queer Eye, illustrated by Skylar White, a Father's Day story inspired by Brent's journey to parenthood through surrogacy. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027; Cindy Uh at CAA represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Ian Tseng at Chronicle has acquired world rights to K Is for K-pop by Jessica Yoon (l.), illustrated by Emily Paik, an alphabet-themed picture book introduction to the world of K-pop featuring iconic terminology, fandom culture, and references to beloved idols and groups from A to Z, celebrating the global phenomenon through rhyming text. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Brent Taylor at Triada US represented the author, and Alice Jin Zhang at Astound US represented the illustrator.  Alessandra Balzer at Balzer + Bray has bought world rights to Halloweenie by Annabeth Bondor-Stone (l.) and Connor White (c.) (Kitty Caterpillar), illustrated by Jay Fleck (r.) (Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug), a picture book about a Halloween-loving dachshund who wants to find the perfect costume to share with his more timid friend. Publication is set for spring 2027; Erica Rand Silverman at Stimola Literary Studio represented the authors, and Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions represented the illustrator.  Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has acquired, in an exclusive submission, world rights to Where Bridges Are Born by Horn Book Honor Award-winning author Anita Yasuda (l.), illustrated by Tara Anand. This nonfiction picture book follows three generations of Khasi architects as they build Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya, Northeastern India—creating vital connections between communities and the natural world. Publication is planned for winter 2029; Lori Steel at SteelWorks Literary represented the author, and Chad W. Beckerman at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator.  Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has bought world rights to Dino Hugs by Diana Murray (l.) (Calling All Bears), illustrated by Lo Cole (Doris), a bedtime picture book about sleepy dinosaurs of all kinds sharing great big "dino-hugs" that highlight their unique characteristics. Publication is scheduled for fall 2027; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary represented the author, and Helen Boyle at Pickled Ink represented the illustrator.  Justin Krasner at Sourcebooks eXplore has acquired world rights to Fold & Find: Home, A My First Origami Book by Moni Ritchie Hadley (l.), illustrated by Genna Blackburn. This interactive board book with hidden surprises invites the youngest readers to try their hands at basic origami folds as they build a house for Inu the dog. Publication is set for spring 2028; Sarah Stephens at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Lauren Ashleigh at IllustrationX represented the illustrator. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  Wide Load on the RoadStephen Savage. Roaring Brook, $18.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-2508-8183-0 The “wide load” truck sign drives this propulsive picture book by Savage. Pop art–style pages follow the eponymous load from dockside before dawn—a long, pipelike piece of equipment is lowered onto a truck’s bed, its purpose tantalizingly withheld—through a panoramic journey. The pacing moves as surely as the truck’s huge wheels, each spread building momentum toward a payoff when the cargo’s purpose is finally revealed. more  Night TreasureAllison Wortche, illus. by Alison Farrell. Knopf, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-5937-0479-0 In this luminous, sweetly conspiratorial tale, bedtime rules bend in the name of adventure. Trapped inside all day by rain, young Quinn valiantly tries to undertake an indoor treasure hunt, but “inside was small and Quinn knew every corner.” When the rain clears before bedtime, Dad offers a delicious rebellion: a nighttime out-of-doors treasure hunt. Slipping outerwear over their pajamas, the two, head into the blue-cast night. more  Reading the BonesMarc Aronson and John S. Mead, illus. by Tim Foley. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $20.99 (192p) ISBN 978-0-374-39231-4 Aronson and debut author Mead team up with illustrator Foley to deliver an exceptional nonfiction work that traces the finding of a new human relative, Homo naledi, and the discovery’s impact on contemporary society. A conversational prologue establishes the creators’ credentials and their connection to Dr. Lee Berger, an American paleoanthropologist based in South Africa, where Homo naledi was uncovered. Seven chapters, rendered using vivid prose, outline the events leading up to the discovery. more  Such Great HeightsRajani LaRocca. Quill Tree, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-06-329687-9 Upon learning new details about her mother’s death, a teenager’s life is thrown into chaos in this captivating YA debut, which draws inspiration from Hindu epic the Ramayana. Indian American high school junior Siya Kumar longs to be like her late mother, a corporate lawyer who worked pro bono cases at night, who died in a car accident when Siya was 10. As Siya—a member of her school's mock trial team—looks over the club’s latest materials, she’s shocked to discover that the current trial’s fabricated case notes closely mirror the circumstances surrounding her mother’s accident. more  Monster, Monarch, MaidenRae Carson. Greenwillow, $19.99 (480p) ISBN 978-0-06-324420-7 Inquisitive 17-year-old Bria Angarsold, an innkeeper’s daughter from a frigid mountainous region, can freeze objects, which she believes is the “most useless Gift ever.” After being enslaved by raiders, Bria is rescued by 18-year-old Titus, a stranger on a dangerous mission. Desperate and alone in hostile territory, Bria swears herself into Titus’s service as his protector, pledging loyalty even as his mysterious quest attracts assassins and rattles her faith in her nation and its gods. Carson melds sparkling romantasy and high-stakes political intrigue. more |
May 19, 2026
 
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People Random House Children’s Books has one promotion. Taylor Belgrade has been promoted to associate, school and library marketing, from marketing assistant. Mark Your Calendar  The Museum of Chinese in America presents Ed Young’s Bright Worlds: Gesture and Feeling in 60 Years of Picture Books for Children. The exhibit, which runs through September 13 in New York City, features original artwork from 15 of the late Caldecott Medalist’s projects—focusing on works inspired by his life and Chinese folktales—in addition to sketchbooks, family photos, and more. The retrospective is part of MOCA’s Luminaries for America250, a yearlong celebration of Chinese American history-makers at the semiquincentennial. For more information, click here. Sneak Previews  Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for children and teens due out this fall, from picture books to YA novels, in our exclusive roundup. more Bestsellers  Children’s Frontlist Fiction#1 First Crush (The New Girl #2) by Cassandra Calin. Click here  Picture Books#1 Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. Click here Follow Us  Follow us on Bluesky and Instagram! | ||
