Publishers Share the Lessons They've Learned; 2017 in Children’s Bestsellers

[PW Children's Bookshelf: Breaking children's and YA publishing news, author interviews, bestsellers lists and reviews.] [The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds]( In the Spotlight [Publishing Lessons Learned]( We asked children’s publishers to share the things they learned about the industry earlier in their careers—from insights on making meaningful acquisitions to falling in love with a project, and never putting the address into a difficult email until it's absolutely finished. [more]( In the News [2017 in Children’s Bestsellers]( See how publishers stacked up when it came to landing their titles onto PW’s children’s frontlist fiction and picture books bestseller lists in the previous year. [more]( [DC Unveils Young Reader Graphic Novel Imprints]( DC Entertainment has recruited a lineup of notable authors to produce stories for two new graphic novel imprints for young readers: DC Ink for teens and DC Zoom for middle graders. The first titles from both imprints will be released in the fall. [more]( [The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds]( Book News [The 100th Anniversary of Madeleine L'Engle's Birth Finds Her Legacy Thriving]( The year 2018 would have marked author Madeleine L’Engle’s 100th birthday, and the occasion is being celebrated by two key events: the release of a middle-grade biography, written by her granddaughters, and a long-awaited film of her 1963 Newbery winner, A Wrinkle in Time. We spoke with L’Engle’s granddaughters, Léna Roy (l.) and Charlotte Jones Voiklis, about commemorating the late author. [more]( On the Scene [A Golden Evening: SCBWI's Golden Kite Awards]( The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators presented its annual Golden Kite and Sid Fleischman Awards during a gala celebration held on February 2 in Manhattan. This marked the first time the awards were given out during the SCBWI’s Winter Conference. [more]( SPONSORED [The Book Behind Sundance’s Top-Prize Winner!]( emily m. danforth's acclaimed novel 'The Miseducation of Cameron Post' is now a U.S. Grand Jury Prize winning film starring Chloë Grace Moretz! Read it – and share it! – before you see it! (Sponsored) [LEARN MORE ►]( Reading Roundup [Activism Anthologies and Guides for Young Readers]( Click through for a roundup of recent and forthcoming titles that bring to the forefront progressive issues, individuals who are fighting for equal rights, and strategy guides for politically motivated children and teens. [more]( Q & A [Susan Cooper]( British-born author Susan Cooper, who won a 1974 Newbery Honor and the 1976 Newbery Medal for two novels in her fantasy series The Dark Is Rising, is expanding another of her popular series. A quarter-century after publishing The Boggart, Cooper reawakens this mischievous, ancient Celtic spirit in The Boggart Fights Back. PW spoke with Cooper about her creative process, and her close relationship with her longtime American editor, the late Margaret McElderry. Q: With its environmental message, The Boggart Fights Back exemplifies your skill at meshing fantasy and real-world issues. Do you find that thematic balance satisfying as a writer? A: I think that fantasy is always rooted in the real world—and then it takes off from there—and I suppose that is what I’m always subconsciously trying to do. [more]( [New York Rights Fair 2018]( 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! - [Children's Reviews Editor - Publishers Weekly - New York](. - [Assistant Art Director - Publishers Weekly - New York](. - [Publishing Manager - Western National Parks Association - Tucson](. - [Copy Editor - Publishers Weekly - New York](. - [Senior Manager, Publishing Marketing - VIZ Media - San Francisco](. Rights Report Amy Stapp at Tor Teen has acquired world English rights for Katie McGarry's new novel, Breathe. The book features a teenage girl who leaves home to escape her abusive father, and must trust the boy who broke her heart and who is dealing with the death of his grandmother and guardian. Publication is planned for winter 2019; Suzie Townsend at New Leaf Literary & Media brokered the two-book deal. Vicki Lame at Wednesday Books has bought Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me, a YA novel by Gae Polisner. As her mother slips further from reality, and her best friend drifts away from her, Jean Louise takes solace in the tropical butterflies she raises, and in her relationship with the older, and potentially toxic, Max Gordon. Publication is set for fall 2019; Jim McCarthy at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret did the deal for world rights. Pam Gruber at Little, Brown has acquired Katrina Leno's You Must Not Miss, a genre-bending story following antihero Magpie Lewis as she copes with the aftermath of family betrayal and sexual assault by disappearing into an alternate world of her own creation that's more sinister than it first appears. Publication is slated for fall 2019; Wendy Schmalz at Wendy Schmalz Agency negotiated the deal for world rights. Kat Brzozowski at Feiwel and Friends has bought a YA sci-fi novel by debut author Danielle Stinson, Before I Disappear. Pitched as Arrival meets A Wrinkle in Time, the book tells of a town that disappears into thin air and the 17-year-old girl who has to find her younger brother before he is gone forever. Publication is scheduled for 2019; Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world rights. Lauren Knowles at Page Street has acquired Echo North by Joanna Meyer, author of Beneath the Haunting Sea. A YA fantasy retelling of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon," the story is about a girl, cast out for her scarred face, whose world falls apart when she finds her father half-frozen in the snow and guarded by a strange talking wolf. Publication is planned for winter 2019; Sarah Davies at Greenhouse Literary did the deal for world rights. Kieran Viola at Disney-Hyperion has bought Dragon Ops, a new middle grade series by author Mari Mancusi (Scorched). Pitched as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle meets Pokemon Go: The Series, the books follow three kids who are trapped in the world's first augmented reality theme park, which has been taken over by a rogue dragon AI determined to win the game at any cost. Publication is slated for spring/summer 2020; Mandy Hubbard at Emerald City Literary negotiated the two-book deal for world English rights. Michele Wells at DC Entertainment's new DC Zoom imprint has acquired Michael Northrop's middle grade graphic novel, Dear Justice League, in which Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the world's greatest team of superheroes answer messages from young fans, offering advice and sharing their own stories of growing up, messing up, and stepping up. Publication is set for May 2019; Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties brokered the deal for world rights. Susan Dobinick at Bloomsbury has bought world rights to environmentalist Heather Montgomery's middle grade book, Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill, a global look at the unexpected information to be learned from roadkill and the many ways roadkill is used to benefit our world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; Rubin Pfeffer at Rubin Pfeffer Content represented the author. Mallory Loehr at Random House has acquired a line of books written by WWE champion and actor John Cena. Inspired by Cena's experiences growing up with four brothers, the books feature a family of monster trucks. The first title, Elbow Grease, is a picture book starring a little monster truck with a big problem—he is smaller than his four brothers, but on a mission to prove that he can do big things. Howard McWilliam (I Need My Monster) will illustrate. Following the picture book will be a range of multi-format books, all featuring Elbow Grease and his boisterous brothers: Pinball, Flash, Crash, and Tank. Elbow Grease is set for October 9, 2018; Jennifer Joel at ICM Partners negotiated the deal for worldwide publishing rights. Andrea Tompa at Candlewick has bought world rights to The Blunders: A Cautionary Counting Tale by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Colin Jack. The picture book is a retelling of the international folktale "The Fools Who Do Not Count Themselves," in which the 10 Blunder children fear telling their mother when they think they've lost one of their siblings. Publication is slated for 2019; Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Justin Rucker of Shannon Associates represented the illustrator. Yasemin Uçar and Semareh Al-Hillal at Kids Can Press have acquired author Kerry Lyn Sparrow's (l.) The Couch Potato, about a potato that finds itself quite at home on the Russet family's couch, much to the chagrin of Mr. Russet. Yinfan Huang will make her illustration debut; publication is planned for fall 2019. The author represented herself, and Sean McCarthy of Sean McCarthy Literary Agency represented the illustrator. Christina Pulles at Sterling has bought world rights to author Alice Faye Duncan's (l.) A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks, a picture book biography of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, told through Duncan's poetry. Xia Gordon will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2018. Tricia Lawrence at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself. Wendy McClure at Albert Whitman has acquired Like Vanessa author Tami Charles's (l.) Fearless Mary, a tribute to Mary Fields, the first African-American woman to be hired as a stagecoach driver in the Wild West. Claire Almon will illustrate; publication is slated for winter 2018. Lara Perkins at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Emily Coggins at Astound Illustration Agency represented the illustrator. Christy Cox at Little Bigfoot has bought world rights to Think Smart, Be Fearless, a children's book biography of Bill Gates by Sharon Mentyka (l.), illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger. The book focuses on the influence of his family and childhood experiences on his work in computer technology and philanthropy. Publication is set for fall 2019; Mentyka represented herself, and Anne Moore of Bright Group USA represented Mildenberger. Sarah Shumway at Bloomsbury has acquired world rights to She Wanted to Be Haunted by Marcus Ewert (Mummy Cat), illustrated by Susie Ghahremani (What Will Grow). The book is about a cute little cottage who would much rather be spooky, but her efforts to change her character and invite a scary inhabitant have unintended results. Publication is planned for 2020; Katherine Boyle at Veritas Literary represented the author, and Stefanie Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator. Charlie Ilgunas at Little Bee has bought world rights to Daniel Haack (l.) and Isabel Galupo's Maiden & Princess, illustrated by Becca Human, a picture book about a maiden who goes to the prince's royal ball and doesn't quite enjoy herself until she meets and falls in love with the princess. Publication is scheduled for spring 2019; Brent Taylor at TriadaUS Literary Agency represented the authors, and the illustrator represented herself. To see all of this week's deals, [click here](. IN THE MEDIA [From HuffPost:]( YouTube Star Kian Lawley Fired From The Hate U Give Film After Racist Video. [Click here]( [From Education Week:]( Stop Using the Label 'Struggling Reader,' Jacqueline Woodson Advises. [Click here]( [From NPR:]( Tamora Pierce Writes One for the Boys (But Just One) in Tempests and Slaughter. [Click here]( [From NPR:]( A Syrian Teen, Forced to Flee A Land of Permanent Goodbyes. [Click here]( [From Entertainment Weekly:]( YA expert Jen Doll previews her own YA debut, Unclaimed Baggage. [Click here]( [From Deadline:]( Jumanji Author Chris Van Allsburg and Radar Pictures Set Overall Fox Deal. [Click here]( [From School Library Journal:]( Celebrating Judy Blume—Her Work and Impact—on Her 80th Birthday. [Click here]( [From Book Riot:]( Author and Musician Tanuja Desai Hidier on the 15th Anniversary of Born Confused. [Click here]( [From Entertainment Weekly:]( Brendan Reichs and Victoria Aveyard discuss a day in the writer's life. [Click here]( [From Book Riot:]( Interview with Jen Wang, creator of The Prince and the Dressmaker. [Click here]( SHELFTALKER Elizabeth Bluemle [Countdown to the Big Awards, and a Contest]( Your chance to claim a little reflected Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King award glory. [more »]( Meghan Dietsche Goel [“And Over There Are All the Kids’ Books (Ack!)”]( Thoughts on training our general booksellers to hand-sell in the children’s section. [more »]( Kenny Brechner [The Tonic That Is Indies Introduce]( Worried about your mental acuity? Try ABA’s Indies Introduce program. [more »]( Cynthia Compton [While You Were Out]( Readers are invited to help clear this bookseller’s desk after leaving the store for a week in Memphis. [more »]( FEATURED REVIEWS [Dude!]( Aaron Reynolds, illus. by Dan Santat. Roaring Brook/Porter, $17.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-62672-603-1 The versatile word dude can act as a question, a warning, or an exclamation of delight, and Reynolds uses it all of these ways and more as the single spoken word of his story. A platypus and a beaver almost jump out of their board shorts when a shark surfaces in the waves behind them. “Duuuuude!” they shriek. But the shark wants to be friends, and it speaks their language. [more]( [Someone Farted]( Bruce Eric Kaplan. Simon & Schuster, $15.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-4814-9063-4 A lot can be said about farts, but one thing is certain: they reveal character. Case in point: Kaplan’s Krupke family. While driving in silence to “their dreaded weekly food shopping,” someone toots. Sally notices it, then denies it, as do her parents and younger brother. The farting continues, and the Krupkes land in jail after nearly getting into a traffic accident. [more]( [Frenemies in the Family: Famous Brothers and Sisters Who Butted Heads and Had Each Other’s Backs]( Kathleen Krull, illus. by Maple Lam. Crown, $17.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-399-55124-6 This entertaining compendium of 15 concise, chatty tales spotlights the relationships among siblings renowned for their achievements, foibles, eccentricities, or birthrights: Wilbur and Orville Wright, Serena and Venus Williams, the Jacksons, and others. Krull’s wry asides and droll observations make for a light and lively narrative, as do Lam’s loose caricatures. [more]( [I Have Lost My Way]( Gayle Forman. Viking, $18.99 (272p) ISBN 978-0-425-29077-4 After being brought together by an accident in New York City’s Central Park, three struggling teenagers form a fast, powerful friendship in Forman’s elegant and understated novel, which alternates between their day together and flashback sections. Freya, a singer on the cusp of stardom, has lost her voice, her sister, and her father. Harun has been dumped by the boyfriend he’s terrified to tell his Muslim family about. And Nathaniel has landed in New York City alone, leaving behind an unpredictable father incapable of caring for him. [more]( February 6, 2018 E-mail not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [People Don't Bite People by Lisa Wheeler]( [New from 'New York Times' bestselling author Lucy Cousins]( [Request an ARC of The Baseball Fanbook!]( PeopleLucy Cummins has been promoted to executive art director at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Paula Wiseman Books; she was previously art director. At Abrams, Nicole Schaefer has been promoted to assistant manager of children's marketing, from marketing and publicity associate. Hana Nakamura will join the children's design department as associate art director of Appleseed and Amulet Books, effective Feb. 12. She was previously associate art director of the company's Noterie line. Lee & Low has two promotions. Kandace Coston has been promoted to assistant editor, from editorial assistant. Abhi Alwar has been promoted to associate designer and production coordinator, from junior designer/production assistant. In the WInners' Circle The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and the de Grummond Children's Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi have announced the winners of the annual Ezra Jack Keats Book Awards, which recognize an author and an illustrator early in their careers. In the New Writer category, Derrick Barnes has won for Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (Bolden/Millner); and in the New Illustrator category, Evan Turk has won for Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters (S&S/Atheneum). For the full list of 2018 Honor Books, [click here](. On-Sale Calendar Celebrate the parting of winter with a range of new books for young readers arriving in February, including a graphic novel edition of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, Checked by Cynthia Kadohata, and Dragon Bones by Lisa McMann. Trevor Lai's Piggy: Let's Be Friends greets readers, as well as a collaboration between Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias S. Buckle, Tangled Lands. And Jason Reynolds, Marie Lu, and David Levithan contribute to an anthology of YA authors sharing personal essays on moments of hope found in adversity, Hope Nation. For more titles being published this month, check out PW's [On Sale Calendar here](. Bestsellers [Children's Frontlist Fiction]( #1 Dog Man and Cat Kid (Dog Man #4) by Dav Pilkey. [Click here]( [Picture Books]( #1 Llama Llama I Love You by Anna Dewdney. [Click here]( Follow Us Children's Bookshelf is on [Instagram]( Please follow us @pwkidsbookshelf. Bookshelf Archives Looking for a previous issue of Children's Bookshelf? [Click here]( see 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. 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