Compiled by Cecilia Cackley
This is a monthly series keeping track of the book deals announced by Latinx writers and illustrators. The purpose of this series is to celebrate book deals by authors and illustrators in our community and to advocate for more of them. If you are an agent and you have a Latinx client who just announced a deal, you can let me know on Twitter, @citymousedc. If you are a Latinx author or illustrator writing for children or young adults, and you just got a book deal, send me a message and we will celebrate with you! Here’s to many more wonderful books in the years to come.
February 27
| Joanna Cárdenas at Penguin’s new Kokila imprint has acquired world rights to Doodles from the Boogie Down, a middle grade graphic novel by debut author-illustrator Stephanie Rodriguez. The book, which is autobiographically inspired, follows a young Latina in the Bronx, who navigates friendships and a strict mother as she carves out a place for herself in the world as a budding artist. Publication is slated for spring 2020. Author agent: Linda Camacho at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. |
February 22
Lynne Polvino at Clarion has signed John Parra to illustrate Miranda Paul‘s Little Libraries, Big Heroes, which tells the story of the Little Free Library organization from founder Todd Bol’s first installation to the creation of more than 50,000 mini-libraries around the world. Publication is scheduled for fall 2019; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Adriana Domínguez and Stefanie Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented the illustrator in the deal for world rights.
February 15
| Jordan Nielsen and Craig Cohen at Pow! Kids Books have bought world English rights to Cynthia Leonor Garza‘s (l.) Lucía the Luchadora and the Million Masks, the story of Lucía’s little sister Gemma, who wants to be a luchadora like her big sister, but seems to find trouble wherever she goes. Alyssa Bermudez will illustrate; publication is scheduled for fall 2018. Author agent: Marietta B. Zacker at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. |
February 13
None.
February 6
None.
February 1
| Mary Lee Donovan at Candlewick Press has bought world rights to Hayley Barrett‘s (l.) picture book Babymoon, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal. The book is a celebration of the special bonding time when a newborn first comes home. Publication is set for spring 2019. Illustrator agent: Stefanie Von Borstel of Full Circle Literary. |
January 30
None.
January 25
None.
January 18
| Ruta Rimas at S&S/McElderry has acquired world rights to Kristen Fulton‘s picture book, When Sparks Fly, an illustrated biography of rocket scientist Robert Goddard. Diego Funck will illustrate; publication is slated for spring 2018. Illustrator agent: Anne Moore Armstrong of Bright Agency. |
| Marisa Polansky at Scholastic has bought world rights to a chapter book series co-written by Monica Brown (l.) and Sarai Gonzalez, the 12-year-old star of the viral music video “Soy Yo,” who became the face behind the #SoyYo movement celebrating independent girls around the world. The first book in the fictional series based on the star’s life, Sarai and the Meaning of Awesome, features Sarai using her creativity and entrepreneurial skills to help her community and family. The first two books in the series are due in fall 2018. Author Agents: Stefanie Von Borstel of Full Circle Literary and Monica Villarreal and Rick Dorfman of Authentic Management. |
January 11
| Phoebe Yeh at Crown and Nicole de las Heras at Penguin Random House have acquired Jan Carr‘s (l.) Star of the Party, illustrated by Pura Belpré Award-winner Juana Medina. The picture book celebrates the Sun’s 4.6 billionth birthday with planetary quirks and nonfiction content. Publication is slated for fall 2019. Illustrator agent: Gillian MacKenzie of the Gillian MacKenzie Agency. |
January 9
None.
January 4
| Hannah Allaman at Disney has bought Nina Moreno‘s debut YA contemporary novel, Saint Rosa of the Sea, pitched as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, in a preempt. The women in Rosa’s family are cursed: her abuela is exiled from Cuba, her mother is reckless, and Rosa is forbidden to go to the sea. Rosa dreams of finally seeing their island, but her study abroad plans crumble amid political changes just as she crashes into a quiet boy from the docks. Publication is planned for summer 2019. Author Agent: Laura Crockett at Triada US Literary Agency. |
Latinxs in Kid Lit 