Malala on Her New Picture Book; John Green on Tour; Buzz Builds for 'Timeless'

[PW Children's Bookshelf: Breaking children's and YA publishing news, author interviews, bestsellers lists and reviews.] [Superheroes Club by Madeleine Sherak PhD]( In the News [Children's Booksellers, Authors Talk Literacy, Danger, and Opportunity at NAIBA]( The politics and practicalities of children’s bookselling took center stage at the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association gathering in Cherry Hill, N.J., which took place October 6–8. [more]( ['Let’s Do This Work': Notes from the CBC's Annual Meeting]( Members of the Children's Book Council gathered on October 5 in New York City to review highlights from the previous year and plans for future programming and outreach. During a dynamic keynote address, author Jason Reynolds stated that his work—and the work of the children’s book community as a whole—requires “finding love, gratitude, and humility.” [more]( [NYCC 2017 Kids' Comics: Don’t Throw Out That Spinner Rack!]( This year's slate of of New York Comic Con announcements included both graphic novels and periodical comics aimed at children and teens, many of which star favorite licensed characters. [more]( [Follett Settles Counterfeiting Suit With Publishers]( Just a few months after Follett was sued by three major educational publishers charging it with selling counterfeit textbooks, the suit has been dismissed after the company agreed to adopt the anti-counterfeiting best practices program developed by a new publishers' group. [more]( [Tatsuya Miyanishi Kinokuniya Tour]( Taking Off Abroad [With a Sprinkle of Pixar Dust, Debut Trilogy Takes Flight]( For those involved in bringing Armand Baltazar's debut middle-grade novel to readers, patience has paid off. Though rights to the heavily illustrated trilogy have been selling strongly since 2014 and film companies had their eyes on the series from the start, the first installment, Timeless: Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic, is just now arriving in bookstores—with a 75,000-copy first printing. [more]( On the Scene [On the Town with John and Hank Green]( Bestselling author John Green (l.) celebrated the release of his latest novel, Turtles All the Way Down, at a launch party on October 10 in New York City. The multimedia event featured a reading from the book, an audience Q & A, and musical performances with fellow Vlogbrother Hank Green. [more]( [Fierce Reads Anniversary Tour in Photos]( Macmillan’s fifth annual Fierce Reads tour took place earlier this month in libraries and bookstores across the country, with appearances by YA authors (from l.) Caleb Roehrig Mitali Perkins, Anna-Marie McLemore, and Jennifer Mathieu. See highlights from this year’s tour, which drew hundreds of fans. [more]( Q & A [Antonio Iturbe]( Antonio Iturbe is a Spanish journalist and the author of The Librarian of Auschwitz, a novel inspired by the true story of Edita (Dita) Adlerova, who spent her early adolescence in Auschwitz-Birkenau. In a place where books were forbidden, Dita risked her life as the keeper of eight precious volumes. We asked Iturbe about the process of exploring Dita's story for young readers. Q: How did you first hear about a library in Auschwitz? A: Books have an echo, and some books tell us about others. I arrived at this story by reading The Library at Night by Alberto Manguel, which gives an overview of the great libraries across history. The book made a brief note that in the extermination camps of Auschwitz, eight old books were collected into what may be the most minuscule and clandestine public library in history. When I closed the book, this question kept knocking on the door of my curiosity: How was it possible to have a library in the hell of Auschwitz? [more]( Four Questions [Malala Yousafzai]( PW spoke with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning and bestselling author Malala Yousafzai about the challenges of addressing complex topics such as activism and terrorism for picture book readers. Q: Why was it so important to you to write Malala’s Magic Pencil for young readers? What did you want to convey to them? A: I meet so many children who want to know why I fight for 12 years of education, so it was important for me to share my story with them. For this age, a picture book felt like the best way—to use pictures and show the events in a way that younger kids will understand. Some of my story is scary and involves complicated politics, but I wanted to be able to share it with young readers so they can see that even one person’s actions can create change. [more]( Out Next Week [Hot Off the Presses: Week of October 16, 2017]( Read on for a roundup of children's titles releasing next week, including a picture book about a pencil, a mythological middle grade book, and a mysterious YA novel. [more]( SPONSORED [PW KidsCast: Listen Now]( Francisco X. Stork, Andrea Beaty, Dan Santat, Julie Fogliano, Christian Robinson, Philip C. Stead, Matthew Cordell – listen to these and other top writers and artists discuss their new books for children and teens in the PW KidsCast podcast. [Click here]( to listen. For more about these and other great jobs, visit the new [PW JobZone]( now with resume hosting and more! - [Director, BookOps - New York & Brooklyn Public Libraries - New York](. - [Sales and Marketing Director - Humanoids - Los Angeles](. - [Assistant to Associate Publisher, Sales and Marketing Assistant - Grove Atlantic - New York](. - [Senior Editor - The Joint Commission - Oak Brook](. - [Acquisitions/Commissioning Editor - Sounds True, Inc. - Louisville, CO](. Rights Report Ben Rosenthal at HarperCollins/Tegen has acquired at auction, in a six-figure deal, Samuel Miller's debut, a YA novel called A Lite Too Bright, plus an untitled second book. Stripped of his college scholarship, Arthur Louis Pullman III begins to lose his grip on reality. But when he discovers his recently deceased novelist-grandfather's journal, he embarks on a cross-country train ride, guided only by clues written through his grandfather's fog of dementia. Publication is planned for spring 2018; Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary & Media negotiated the two-book deal for North American rights. Melissa Frain at Tor Teen has bought, in a preempt Charlotte Davis's The Good Luck Girls, the inaugural project of Dovetail Fiction, a new YA packager and sister business to Working Partners. The first in a YA fantasy duology, the novel is pitched as The Handmaid's Tale meets Thelma and Louise in an alternate Wild West setting. The book follows a group of five girls who escape from the “welcome house” that owns them and embark on a dangerous journey to find freedom, justice, and revenge. Publication of book one is scheduled for fall 2019; Allison Hellegers at Rights People brokered the two-book deal for North American rights on behalf of Chris Snowdon, Lynn Weingarten, and Marianna Baer at Dovetail Fiction/Working Partners. Connie Hsu at Roaring Brook has acquired, at auction, Kristina Forest's YA debut, The Pointe of Everything, about an African-American ballerina who is determined to audition for her idol's new dance conservatory, even if it involves sneaking out on a road trip with the boy next door who broke her heart years before. Publication is set for spring 2019, with a second, untitled YA novel to follow; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties handled the deal for North American rights. Jessica Harriton at Razorbill has bought Edge of Our Light, a debut novel by Sorboni Banerjee, about two teenagers in a Texas border town caught in a conflict between warring cartels. Amid the violence, they must make sense of their dark pasts in order to fight for a brighter future together. Publication is slated for fall 2018; Tamar Rydzinski at Laura Dail Literary Agency did the deal for world rights. Andrew Karre at Dutton has acquired Junauda Petrus's debut YA novel, Mable & Audre's Existential Transcendental Journey Through Black Universe, the story of two young women, one from the Caribbean, one Black American, who fall in love and create magic at the same time they learn that one of them might not have long to live. Publication is planned for 2019; Tina Wexler at ICM Partners brokered the deal for North American rights. Liesa Abrams at S&S/Aladdin has bought, at auction, Majestic by Jack Blank trilogy author Matt Myklusch. When 12-year-old Joey Kopecky gets a chance to become the assistant to washed-up magician Redondo the Magnificent, he discovers that magic is real—but, only if you believe in it. Meanwhile, dark magicians, intent on spoiling Redondo's comeback, are plotting to seize control of the world's dwindling supply of magic. The book is scheduled for summer 2019; Danielle Chiotti at Upstart Crow Literary brokered the two-book deal for North American rights. Kendra Levin at Viking has acquired Allan Woodrow's The Curse of the Were-Penguin, a gothic/comedic middle grade novel about a woefully untalented orphan with bleak prospects for finding a family—until he is adopted by a mysterious Count and bitten by a were-penguin, events that set him on an adventure to reverse the curse and save his new home from the Count's diabolical penguin army. A publication date has not been set; Hannah Mann at Writers House represented the author in the deal for world rights. Mari Kesselring at Jolly Fish has bought world rights to Unwritten by debut author Tara Gilboy. In the fantasy middle-grade novel, 12-year-old storybook character Gracie Freeman lives in the real world but longs to discover what happened in the story she came from. When she finally gets her chance, the truth isn't what she was expecting. Publication is slated for fall 2018; the book was unagented. Lauri Hornik at Dial has acquired author-illustrator Jon Agee's next two picture books. In the first, The Wall in the Middle of the Book, a little knight on one side of the wall thinks he is safe from the wild animals and the ogre on the other side of the wall, but he's got it completely backward. The second book, I Want a Dog, stars a girl looking for a dog at an animal shelter that has no dogs. Eventually, the pet shop salesman finds something that she just might find acceptable. The books are planned for publication in fall 2018 and fall 2019 respectively; Holly McGhee at Pippin Properties sold world English rights. Frances Gilbert at Doubleday has bought world rights, at auction, to author-illustrator Alex Willan's debut picture book, Jasper & Ollie Go to the Pool, a friendship story of impulse and mindfulness, told through the characters' race to the pool. Publication is slated for summer 2019; Lori Kilkelly at Rodeen Literary Management did the two-book deal. Catherine Laudone at Simon & Schuster has acquired world rights to Tiny Feet Between the Mountains by debut author-illustrator Hanna Cha. A Korean girl is looked down upon for her small size, until she finds a clever solution to help a spirit tiger who has swallowed the sun by mistake. Publication is scheduled for summer 2019; the book was unagented. Zoe Katherine Burke at Pomegranate has bought world rights to Mr. Reginald and the Bunnies by artist Paula Wallace, a picture book about bunnies who visit their uncle during the holiday break and get into everything, but prove to be brave and generous. Publication is planned for August 2018; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented the author-illustrator. Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane has acquired world rights to Hurry Up!, a picture book by Kate Dopirak, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal, about slowing down to enjoy life. Publication is set for summer 2020; Tracey Adams at Adams Literary represented the author, and Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the artist. Mary Colgan at Boyds Mills Press has bought world rights to author Leslie Staub's (l.) Bedtime for Beasties, illustrated by Jia Liu. In the story, a child realizes mid-nightmare that she is in control and can turn the dream around. Publication is planned for fall 2018; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author, and Claire Easton at Painted Words represented the illustrator. Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired world rights to Brian Yanish's Pirate Chicken: All Hens on Deck, the story of a power-hungry chicken who becomes the feared pirate Redfoot in a quest to see the world. Jess Pauwels will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2019. Jennifer Unter at the Unter Agency represented the author, and James Burns at Bright USA represented the illustrator. To see all of this week's deals, [click here](. IN THE MEDIA [From the New York Times:]( John Green and the Fault Lines in His Mind. [Click here]( [From the New York Times:]( Dr. Seuss Museum to remove and replace mural after three authors object to "racial stereotype." [Click here]( [From ALMA:]( Nominees have been announced for the 2018 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. [Click here]( [From Brightly:]( Finding Solace in Children's Books Written in Troubled Times. [Click here]( [From Bookish:]( Author Julie C. Dao: "Women I Write Should Never, Ever Be Underestimated." [Click here]( [From KCUR:]( How a Black Barbershop in Kansas City Inspired a New Children's Book. [Click here]( [From BuzzFeed:]( Viola Davis Is Writing a Sequel to Corduroy. [Click here]( [From 100 Scope Notes:]( These 2017 Picture Books Have Secrets. [Click here]( [From Brightly:]( 17 New Authors of Color Writing for Kids. [Click here]( [From the New York Times:]( Philip Pullman Returns to His Fantasy World. [Click here]( [From the Today Show:]( Jimmy Fallon on his new book, Everything Is MAMA, and how fatherhood has changed his life. [Click here]( [From Deseret News:]( Children's book duo Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen share how friendship affects writing. [Click here]( [From the New York Times:]( Nnedi Okorafor and the Fantasy Genre She Is Helping Redefine. [Click here]( [From People:]( Cara Delevingne on Her New YA Novel and Battling Depression as a Teen. [Click here]( [From Bookish:]( Thirteen YA Authors Share the Book That Inspired Them to Become a Writer. [Click here]( [From Book Riot:]( R.L. Stine Covers: When Animals Attack. [Click here]( [From Book Riot:]( Why I Let My Children Read Banned Books. [Click here]( [From A Mighty Girl:]( 75 Picture Books About Mighty Girls and Women. [Click here]( SHELFTALKER Kenny Brechner [Anatomy of a Picture Book Frontlist]( The expectations for and the actual results found in a Spring 2018 sales kit. [more »]( Cynthia Compton [If You Give a Bookseller a Suitcase]( Regional bookseller conferences fill fall calendars, and remind this writer of a story. [more »]( Elizabeth Bluemle [Bookish Halloween Costumes]( Costumes made at home featuring favorite literary characters can live long beyond Halloween. [more »]( Meghan Dietsche Goel [A Mischief of Mice]( An artistic tribute to literature’s most beloved rodents. [more »]( FEATURED REVIEWS [Love]( Matt de la Peña, illus. by Loren Long. Putnam, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-5247-4091-7 De la Peña’s prose poem speaks right to young children. “In the beginning there is light/ and two wide-eyed figures standing/ near the foot of your bed,/ and the sound of their voices is love,” he opens as an interracial couple looks down at a crib. People often talk to children about love; in these pages, they can see and feel what it’s like. [more]( [A Boy, a Mouse, and a Spider: The Story of E.B. White]( Barbara Herkert, illus. by Lauren Castillo. Holt/Ottaviano, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-62779-245-5 Herkert and Castillo pay tender tribute to Elwyn White who, as E.B. White, would write three enduring books for children: Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, and The Trumpet of the Swan. In a subtle narrative structured like verse, Herkert dwells on White’s childhood, on the foundational connections he made to nature, and his attentiveness to his natural surroundings. [more]( [Sinking the ‘Sultana’: A Civil War History of Imprisonment, Greed, and a Doomed Journey Home]( Sally M. Walker. Candlewick, $24.99 (208p) ISBN 978-0-7636-7755-8 Drawing on letters, diaries, and other eyewitness accounts, Walker delves into America’s worst maritime disaster: the 1865 sinking of the steamboat Sultana near Memphis, Tenn., with more than 2,000 paroled Union prisoners aboard. Walker thoroughly investigates this forgotten disaster, whose loss of life exceeded that of the Titanic. [more]( [Renegades]( Marissa Meyer. Feiwel and Friends, $19.99 (576p) ISBN 978-1-250-04466-2 The night that Nova’s parents and infant sister were murdered, the Renegades—superheroes who protect her city—never came to save the day. Ten years later, the time has come for 16-year-old Nova to infiltrate the Renegades and exact her revenge. [more]( [Turtles All the Way Down]( John Green. Dutton, $19.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-525-55536-0 Green's first novel since The Fault in Our Stars is another heartbreaker. Sixteen-year-old Aza's anxiety intensifies when she reconnects with Davis, a boy she met years earlier while both were grieving their recently deceased parents. When Davis's billionaire father goes missing, Aza's best friend pressures Aza to contact Davis, hoping they'll learn something about the disappearance—and maybe get a cut of the reward. [more]( [Foolish Hearts]( Emma Mills. Holt, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-62779-937-9 When Claudia is forced to spend time with infamous mean girl Iris for a class project, Claudia discovers that Iris is more complicated and vulnerable than everyone assumes. Mills thoughtfully explores the nuances of all kinds of relationships, both friendly and romantic. [more]( TALES FROM THE SLUSH PILE [SEE ALL]( October 12, 2017 E-mail not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse by Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen]( [Why Am I Me?]( [Play Fair NYC | November 4 & 5th, 2017]( PeopleEllen Kokontis has been promoted to associate art director at Albert Whitman. She previously was graphic designer. Courtney Paganelli is joining Random House Children's Books as assistant managing editor. She was previously an editorial assistant at Pearson. Mark Your Calendar The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., will host an exhibit of works by author-illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. “Never Abandon Imagination: The Fantastical Art of Tony DiTerlizzi” will run from November 11 to February 25, 2018; for more information, [click here](. SNEAK PREVIEWS Have you checked out our Spring 2018 Sneak Previews? Take a look ahead at some of the big titles for young readers due out next season, [in our exclusive roundup](. In Case You Missed It [Two YA Authors Co-Write Novel, Two Imprints to Co-Publish It]( [more]( [Seuss Mural to Come Down After Authors Protest]( [more]( [Finalists for NBA in Young People's Literature Announced]( [more]( [Follett Enters School Book Fair Market]( [more]( Bestsellers [Children's Frontlist Fiction]( #1 A Tale of Two Kitties (Dog Man #3) by Dav Pilkey. [Click here]( [Picture Books]( #1 Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete by James Dean and Kimberly Dean. [Click here]( Follow Us Children's Bookshelf is on [Instagram]( Follow us @pwkidsbookshelf. Bookshelf Archives Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? [Click here]( for our archives page! CONTACT US Have a comment or suggestion? We'd love to hear from you. [Click here](mailto:childrensbooks@publishersweekly.com) to drop us a note. [Follow PWKidsBookshelf on Twitter]( Children's Bookshelf Editor: Diane Roback Associate Editor: Emma Kantor Digital Producer: Michael Seidlinger Send editorial questions about this e-newsletter to: childrensbooks@publishersweekly.com Send advertising questions about this e-newsletter to: cbryerman@publishersweekly.com Follow PW on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. For additional assistance, contact us by email or at the address below. Publishers Weekly, 71 West 23 St. #1608 New York, NY 10010 Phone 212-377-5500 Copyright 2017, PWxyz LLC Email not displaying correctly? 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