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In Conversation
 Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead When Erin Entrada Kelly (l.) was awarded the 2025 Newbery Medal for The First State of Being, it completed a time-travel triad of Newbery books that began with Madeleine L’Engle. In 1964, L’Engle’s classic A Wrinkle in Time received the Newbery Medal. Her book inspired Rebecca Stead’s 2010 Newbery-winning novel When You Reach Me, which consequently inspired The First State of Being. We invited Stead and Kelly to discuss their books and—of course—time travel. more  In the News
 Albert Whitman Files Petition for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Albert Whitman & Co. filed a petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Tuesday. The children’s publisher founded in 1919 that once owned the rights to the Boxcar Children series has struggled for years to maintain its financial sustainability. more  Literary Advocates Condemn Florida Book Banning BillA coalition of organizations—including the Authors Guild, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and EveryLibrary—has formally opposed Florida House Bill 1539, which would require school districts to remove any book deemed “harmful to minors” within five days of a challenge, regardless of whether the title has undergone proper review processes. more  ‘ALA v. Sonderling’ Case Moves Forward as Defendants Respond Attorneys for Institute of Museum and Library Services acting director Keith Sonderling and his codefendants have responded to a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees in support of the IMLS. The plaintiffs argue that the executive order curtailing the IMLS is illegal and unconstitutional. more  Iowa Looks to Appeal Injunction Blocking Book Banning Law Following a decision in late March that reinstated a preliminary injunction against an Iowa law that puts restrictions on what books can be carried by libraries, attorneys for the state are seeking a new appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. more   On the Scene
 Kweli Color of Children's Literature Conference 2025 in Photos Kweli's 10th annual Color of Children’s Literature Conference took place in New York City from April 4–6, gathering together writers of colors for a weekend of networking and collaboration. Click through for highlights from the event, which featured craft workshops, panels, plus song and dance. more Just Announced
 'The Eyes, the Fire & the Avalanche Kingdom' by Dave Eggers Dave Eggers will return to the world of his Newbery Medal–winning middle grade novel The Eyes & the Impossible with The Eyes, the Fire & the Avalanche Kingdom, a sequel set to release November 18 from Knopf Books for Young Readers. more Q & A
 Frederick JosephFrederick Joseph—poet, philanthropist, and author of The Black Friend—makes his solo fiction debut with contemporary YA novel This Thing of Ours. Returning to his predominately white high school for senior year following a career-ending injury, basketball star Ossie feels like “just another Black kid” from south Yonkers. Seeking a new outlet, Ossie joins a creative writing program led by passionate Black educator Ms. Hunt—until she's fired following accusations of promoting a “woke agenda.” Joseph spoke with us about how his upbringing and philanthropy informed his story. Q: Why did you have Ossie pursue writing after he could no longer play basketball? A: Oftentimes in our society the utility or usefulness of Black boys and girls is taught through the lens of, “What can you provide for society in a physical sense? How can you entertain? Can you throw a football?” I wanted to show Ms. Hunt challenging it in real time within the text. more Out Next Week
 Hot Off the Press: Week of April 28 Among the books hitting shelves next week are a meta picture book about a girl growing up on the page, a middle grade series starter that infuses Korean culture and folklore with whimsical dream technology, a paranormal YA book about a human with fateful visions, and more. more In Brief
 In Brief: April 24, 2025Recently, an author kicked off his tour in New York City, an author dropped by a bookseller event, a singer/actor/author made an appearance at an exhibition closing, collaborators came together in L.A., schools came together for a book fair launch, and an author met with students. more Rights Report
 Kate Farrell at Henry Holt has acquired The Harrow Home for Wayward Girls by Jessica Spotswood, a gothic YA mystery rooted in the violence done to young, unmarried, pregnant women in the early 20th century. When a wealthy hotelier buys out a property that used to house young unwed mothers, his eldest daughter and the daughter of the home's caretaker find themselves battling the lingering spirit of a teenager who didn't make it out alive. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret negotiated the deal for world rights.  Clare Vaughn at HarperCollins has bought The Frost and the Crown by Catherine Bakewell (Flowerheart), a YA romantic fantasy in which the young firewitch Fiamma and the cursed prince Joseph embark on a dangerous journey to lift the deadly enchantment turning their kingdom to ice. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency sold world English rights.  Rachel Diebel at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Mars Lauderbaugh's Brighter Stars, a YA graphic novel in which a rule-breaking flight academy cadet discovers the alien alliance they were raised to hate might not be the ones behind the terrorist attacks threatening their home planet—and anyone could be the true enemy, even their closest friend. Publication is planned for spring 2028; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.  Cassandra Pelham Fulton at Scholastic/Graphix has bought, in an exclusive submission, Finding Myself with You by Victoria Grace Elliott (Please Be My Star). The YA graphic novel rom-com follows queer high school junior Alex down the rabbit hole as she exacts revenge against the boy who broke her heart and asks the question: did she really love him or did she want to be him? Publication is set for spring 2027; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams Fanfare has acquired Too Hot to Tango by E.E. Salo (l.) and Megan Kearney. Pitched as "Dirty Dancing but gay," the YA graphic novel follows Honey, sports camp counselor and soccer star, as she gets roped into being arts camp rival Teddi's competitive dance partner. The only problem is Honey can't dance, and she just may be falling head over heels for Teddi. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Susan Graham while at Einstein Literary Management handled the deal for world rights.  Ella Russell at OwlKids has bought world rights to the Weevil Geniuses graphic novel series by Deanna Kent (l.) and Neil Hooson, a STEAM-focused series for kids following the Weevil Geniuses, their snail pal Blaze, and a few nefarious enemies. With their wild imaginations, plus lots of wacky gadgets and gizmos, the Weevil Geniuses use the amazing powers of nature to get out of—and into—mischief. The first book, Crime Flies When You're Having Fun, is scheduled for spring 2028; Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency did the three-book deal.  Brian Geffen at Henry Holt has acquired, in an exclusive submission, Shook, a contemporary novel-in-verse by Julian Randall, author of the Pilar Ramirez duology, for fans of The Crossover. Twelve-year-old Chicago prep basketball star Malik "Shake" Page dreams of making the varsity basketball team, but his plans are derailed when he fractures his ankle. As his world starts to fall apart, Shake strives to find a way back to feeling like himself and returning to the court. Publication is set for spring 2026; Patrice Caldwell at the Caldwell Agency negotiated the deal for North American rights while at New Leaf Literary & Media.  Alyson Heller at Aladdin has bought Nancy Tandon's next middle-grade novel, The Haunting of Walker Pond. Thirteen-year-old leader-in-training Frankie must figure out a decades-old mystery so that a restless spirit will find peace and stop haunting the summer camp where Frankie and best friend Parker work. Publication is planned for summer 2026; Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency brokered the deal for world rights.  Karen Nagel at Simon Spotlight has acquired world rights to The Haunted Goldfish by Joe McGee, illustrated by Teo Skaffa, in which a boy discovers that his pet goldfish has come back from her watery grave, and two more Ready-to Read books, in a new series based on the Night Frights chapter books. Publication is slated for summer 2026; Jennifer March Soloway at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Alex Gehringer at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.  Millie von Platen at Astra Books for Young Readers has bought world rights to author-illustrator DK Ryland's Splish. Splish is a ready-for-whatever-the-day-brings kind of fish, but when the day brings one disaster after another, Splish shows what she's really made of. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency negotiated the deal.  Caitlin Tutterow at Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books has acquired world rights to A Grand Day Out by author-illustrator Molly Ruttan, about a family making a day spent indoors with Grandma as exciting and full of adventure as a big day out in the world. Publication is planned for summer 2027; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency did the deal for world rights.  Alvina Ling at Little, Brown has bought the picture book The House That Feels Like Me by trans TikTok star and The Voice contestant Sasha Allen (l.), based on his viral video, illustrated by trans artist Julian Plum, about a house that's dull and gray on the outside, but bright and colorful on the inside, and the neighborhood boy who helps the house's exterior match who it is inside. Publication is set for fall 2026; Naomi Davis at BookEnds Literary Agency represented the author and the illustrator in the deal for world rights.  Alexandra McKenzie at Charlesbridge has acquired world rights to the picture book Maya Breaks It Down by Carren Jao (l.), and Kristen Nobles has acquired world rights for illustration by Aphelandra. At Maya's house, every weekend is a dance party, but learning her brother's six-step is tripping her up. Can Maya break down a big problem into smaller parts to finally get down on the dance floor? Publication is slated for summer 2027 as part of Steamworks; Heather Cashman at Storm Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.  Deidra Purvis at Free Spirit has bought world rights to Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic by Rasha Hamid (l.), illustrated by Rachael Corcutt (c.) and Phillippa Corcutt (r.), a picture book that celebrates the joys and beauty of being autistic, while also exploring challenges and frustrations autistic children face when others do not understand them; Alison Behnke will edit. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026; the author represented herself, and Robbin Brosterman at the Bright Agency represented the illustrators. IN THE MEDIA
FEATURED REVIEWS
  So Many Years: A Juneteenth StoryAnne Wynter, illus. by Jerome Pumphrey. Clarion, $19.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-063-08114-7 “How would you dress/ after so many years/ of mending your clothes with rags?” begins Wynter in this affecting, question-oriented look at Juneteenth’s past and present. Thickly stroked acrylic-on-hardboard illustrations incorporate lyrics from spirituals alongside glimpses of a larger-than-life figure interacting with and sometimes holding the scenes in their hands. It’s a moving tribute that converses with history’s resonances while moving forward in time. more  Schoolbot 9000Sam Hepburn. Dial, $24.99 hardcover (288p) ISBN 978-0-593-69941-6; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-69942-3 Hepburn’s debut graphic novel is a timely, hilarious take on the increasing presence of AI in everyday life. Eleven-year-old James Gordon is surrounded by robot assistants like his mother’s new HomeBot, which she hopes will help her keep house following James’s father’s death. When he is selected to participate in tech conglomerate Bux Global’s Schoolbot program, which aims to replace human teachers with robots, James realizes that something sinister is afoot. more  The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks Katie Kirby. Random House, $18.99 hardcover (432p) ISBN 979-8-217116-62-1; $9.99 paper ISBN 979-8-217-11663-8 After Lottie Brooks’s BFF Molly moves to Australia during the summer before sixth grade, the Brighton 12-year-old starts writing in a diary to distract herself. Conversational entries punctuated with wry stick-figure art reveal Lottie’s many worries about navigating secondary school alone. She devises a plan to reinvent herself, but despite her best efforts, blunders and awkward moments lurk around every corner. more  Peachaloo in BloomChris Raschka. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5855-4 Optimistic 12-year-old Peachaloo Piccolozampa, who has “uneven legs,” is enjoying summer break with her town historian grandmother in rural Appalachian Fourwords, Pa., when she learns that the beloved local swimming hole and woods are to be torn down and replaced with a golf course. As Peachaloo participates in various seasonal activities, she and her grandmother face off against scheming newcomer Major Gasbag and his plot to construct an opulent resort. more  The Nightblood PrinceMolly X. Chang. Random House, $20.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-593-89736-2 After Lifeng Fei is born on an auspicious night bearing the mythical phoenix’s mark, the enigmatic Stargazer foretells that she will unite the divided continent. Later seizing an opportunity to break her betrothal and flee the palace, Fei encounters beautiful and dangerous Lan Yexue, the runaway prince of rival kingdom, the Empire of Lan, who harbors a dangerous secret—he possesses vampiric powers that could alter the course of the coming war. more |
April 24, 2025
  
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ICYMI PW Summer Reads for Kids and Teensmore more more more 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 |
