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Spring 2016 was very busy with two trade fairs in three weeks. At the Bologna Book Fair, Marie Campbell, Fiona Kenshole, Amy Tompkins and French co-agent Lora Fountain raised glasses to the success of BEWARE THAT GIRL by Teresa Toten with the author's German, Canadian and Spanish publishers.
Two weeks later, Fiona Kenshole and David Bennett were in London for the London Book Fair, meeting with UK editors both at the fair and in their offices.
While we were working hard at the trade fairs, our wonderful clients were producing brilliant new work which you can read about below.
Best wishes,
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North American
 World rights to ONCE FOR YES (middle grade novel) by Pat Schmatz to Joan Powers at Candlewick Press. An extraordinary novel about the friendship between a twelve-year-old girl and an unconventional woman, Cap'n Jackie, at the end of her life. Contact: david@transatlanticagency.com
 World rights to THE MISTAKE MYSTERIES (junior middle grade trilogy) by Sylvia McNicoll to Carrie Gleason at Dundurn Press. Middle grade mystery, about accident prone Stephen Noble and his super-bright accomplice, Renée, who set out to solve a series of mysteries in their neighborhood. Contact: david@transatlanticagency.com
 North American rights to FORTUNE'S TELLER (middle grade novel) by Ted Staunton to Anne Shone at Scholastic Canada. Loosely based on a true story from Texas in the early 2000s, FORTUNE'S TELLER is fast-paced middle grade novel about a 12-year-old boy, Duncan, who lives with his unconventional Bohemian aunt who is determined to give him a private (and expensive) education. Duncan is not particularly interested in school and wants to be a detective like the ones in the World's Best 100 Detective Stories which he reads when he should be studying. Contact: david@transatlanticagency.com
 World rights to FACING FEAR: The Story of an Undocumented Family (picture book text) by Karen Lynn Williams to Kathleen Merz at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. How a community rallies round a child even though his family are undocumented immigrants. Contact: lynn@transatanticagency.com
 World rights to ANGUS ALL AGLOW (picture book 4-8) by Heather Smith to Andrew Wooldridge at Orca Books. Featuring a young boy named Angus who loves bright colours and sparkly things, particularly a special necklace from his grandmother. Contact: amy@transatlanticagency.com
 World rights to two books for MINECRAFT collectors in a new series called THE CREEPER DIARIES by Erin Falligant, to Holly Schmidt at Hollan Publishing, for publication in 2016. Contact: fiona@transatlanticagency.com
World rights to THE LOST GIRL OF ASTOR STREET by Stephanie Morrill to Jillian Manning at Harper Collins Blink for publication in 2017. A historical YA about Piper Sail, an amateur sleuth who is determined to solve the disappearance of her best friend Lydia from their affluent neighborhood - even as her efforts lead her into the dangerous corruption strangling 1924 Chicago and quite possibly back to the front doors of her high-society neighbors. Contact: sandra@transatlanticagency.com
 World rights to critically-acclaimed author Nina Berkhout's debut YA novel, THE HALO MOSAIC, to Sheila Barry at Groundwood Books for publication in 2017. The story of Twyla Jane Lee , a young pacifist trying to leave her hometown of Halo, Montana, and Gabriel Finch, a Marine struggling to leave the war behind him, who form an unexpected bond over a secret buried in a decommissioned nuclear missile silo. Contact: stephanie@transatlanticagency.com or samantha@transatlanticagency.com
Non-fiction:
World rights to Jessica Long's untitled scrapbook-style memoir, about about her life since making the US Paralympic Swim Team at age 12, and being the youngest athlete who will have competed in four successive Paralympics after the 2016 Rio Summer Games, to Elizabeth Bennett at HMH Books for Young Readers. Contact: sandra@transatlanticagency.com
 World rights to SHADOW WARRIOR by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, a middle grade biography of the 16th-century female ninja Mochizuki Chiyome, to Colleen MacMillan at Annick Press, for publication in Fall 2017. Contact: amy@transatlanticagency.com
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Foreign Rights
BEWARE THAT GIRL by Teresa Toten: U.K./AUS/N.Z. rights to Hot Key; World French rights to Hachette Jeunesse; Dutch rights to Gottmer; Portuguese in Brazil to Record; Russian rights to AST. Contact: marie@transatlanticagency.com
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For Orca
Simplified Chinese rights to author Victoria Miles and illustrator Elizabeth Gatt's SEA OTTER PUP (board book 0-3) to China Ocean Press.
Three Gorges Publishing House has acquired Simplified Chinese rights to three picture books (4-8) by Lisa Bowes and illustrated by James Hearne: LUCY TRIES LUGE, LUCY TRIES SHORT TRACK, and LUCY TRIES SOCCER. They also snapped up Simplified Chinese rights to four board books (0-3): BEACH BABY by Laurie Elmquist & illustrated by Elly MacKay, LOVE YOU MORE by Susan Musgrave & illustrated by Esperanca
Melo, THE WAYS I WILL LOVE YOU by Rachel Boehm & illustrated by Mary Jane Gerber, and LITTLE YOU by Richard Van Camp & illustrated by Julie Flett.
Korean rights to PLASTIC by Sarah N. Harvey (young adult 12+) to Lime Co.
Korean rights to DEEP ROOTS: How Trees Sustain Our Planet by Nikki Tate (nonfiction 9-12) to Greenfrog Publishing Co.
 German rights to THE WORLD WITHOUT US by Robin Stevenson (young adult 12+) to Beltz & Gelberg.
 German rights to THE SUMMER WE SAVED THE BEES by Robin Stevenson (9-12) to Rowohlt.
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The Lillian Shepherd Award for Excellence in Illustration for FRANKENSTINK!: Garbage Gone Bad (Tundra Books) by Ron Lightburn.
Eric Walters' young adult novel THE RULE OF THREE (Razorbill Canada & FSG) has won the Snow Willow at the Willow Awards (Saskatchewan children's choice).
Tanya Lloyd Kyi's middle grade non-fiction book DNA DETECTIVE (Annick Press) is a finalist for a Red Cedar Award in the Information Book category. Another of her non-fiction books, WHEN THE WORST HAPPENS: Extraordinary Stories of Survival (9-12), was a Silverbirch Honour book in the non-fiction category (Annick Press).
Caroline Pignat's THE GOSPEL TRUTH (Red Deer Press) was named a Red Maple Honour Book. The book is also shortlisted for the 2016 Snow Willow.
Don Aker's DELUSION ROAD (HarperCollins Canada) was named a White Pine Honour Book.
Sigmund Brouwer's adult/young adult cross-over novel THIEF OF GLORY (WaterBrook) has been shortlisted for the R. Ross Annett Award for Children's Literature, part of the Alberta Book Awards.
Eric Walters' picture book TODAY IS THE DAY, illustrated by Eugenie Frenandes (Tundra), shortlisted for the 2016 Shining Willow Award. His novel WALKING HOME (Doubleday) is on the shortlist for the 2016 Snow Willow.
 Joanne Bischof r eceived her third Christy Nomination; this one for her 2015 YA contemporary novel TO GET TO YOU.
The Canadian Children's Book Centre has released their spring list of Best Books for Kids & Teens, and the following titles were starred selections: TODAY IS THE DAY by Eric Walters, illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes (Tundra, 4-8), DELUSION ROAD by Don Aker (HarperCollins, 12+), RIPPLE EFFECT by Sylvia Taekema (Orca, 9-12), AT EASE by Jeff Ross (Orca, 11-14), SET YOU FREE by Jeff Ross (Orca, 12+), SLIGHT OF HAND by Natasha Deen (Orca, 12+), WHAT'S THE BUZZ?: Keeping Bees in Flight by Merrie-Ellen Wilcox (Orca, nonfiction 9-12).
Jeff Ross's SET YOU FREE (young adult 12+) shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile/YA Book (Orca).
 THE SUGAR MOUNTAIN SNOW BALL by Elizabeth Atkinson (middle grade 9-12) and AZALEA UNSCHOOLED by Liza Kleinman (middle grade 8-11) are finalists in the Book Award For Young People's Literature at the 2016 Maine Literary Awards (Islandport Press).
 MYSTERY OF THE MISSING FOX by Tamra Wight and illustrated by Carl DiRocco (middle grade 8-12) has been named to the 2016-2017 Massachusettes Children's Book Award Master List, a children's choice award voted on by students in grades 4-6.
 A SNOWY OWL STORY by Melissa Kim and illustrated by Jada Fitch (board book 0-6) was named a Children's Notable Book in the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards (Islandport Press).
LOST IN THE BACKYARD by Alison Hughes (middle grade 9-12) was named a Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards Young Adult Notable Book, was nominated for the 2016/2017 Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, shortlisted for the Diamond Willow Award, and is a finalist for the Red Cedar in the fiction category (Orca).
 TRASH TALK: Moving Toward a Zero-Waste World by Michelle Mulder (nonfiction 9-12) was named a Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Awards Young Adult Notable Book, nominated for the 2016/2017 Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, and is a 2016/2017 Red Cedar finalist in the Information Book Category (Orca).
TANK & FIZZ: The Case of the Slime Stampede by Liam O'Donnell & illustrated by Mike Deas (middle grade 8-11) is nominated for the 2016/2017 Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Awards (Orca).
THE UNQUIET PAST by Kelley Armstrong (young adult 12+) from the Seven Secrets Series was a Snow Willow nominee, Willow Awards (Orca).
WHAT'S THE BUZZ: Keeping Bees in Flight, by Merrie-Ellen Wilcox (nonfiction 9-12) was both a 2016 Animal Behavior Society's Outstanding Children's Book Award finalist, and a 2016/2017 Red Cedar (British Columbia children's choice) finalist in the Information Book Category (Orca).
THE SUMMER WE SAVED THE BEES, by Robin Stevenson (middle grade 9-12) is a Red Cedar finalist in the Fiction category.
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BEWARE THAT GIRL by Teresa Toten, published May 31, 2016 by Delacorte/PRHUS and PRH Canada.
For fans of We Were Liars, The Girl on the Train, and Gone Girl, this powerful YA psychological thriller with multiple mysteries is set against the backdrop of the megawealthy elite of New York City. Toten delves into the mesmerizing yet dysfunctional world of those who manipulate but seem ever so charming. With its gripping pace and Hitchcockian twists, BEWARE THAT GIRL will keep readers guessing until the very last line.
JOCKEY GIRL by Shelley Peterson, published February 2016 by Dundurn Press.
Evangeline "Evie" Gibb lives a seemingly charmed life on a thoroughbred racehorse farm. But in reality, Evie feels alone in the world, cheered only by the affection of a racehorse named No Justice. She's always been told that her mother, Angela Parson, is dead. Then, on her sixteenth birthday, a card arrives from her great aunt Mary with the suggestion that Angela might still be alive-------and Evie's life is turned upside down. In hopes of winning enough money to leave her hateful father and find her mother, Evie enters the Caledon Horse Race. But something she overhears her father say changes everything, and Evie steals the racehorse in the night and runs away. With a stray dog named Magpie at her side and help from Aunt Mary, Evie unearths long-hidden family secrets, finds unexpected love, and takes the racing world by storm.
 DRAGON MASTERS: Song of the Poison Dragon by Tracey West, illustrated by Damien Jones, published April 26, 2016 by Scholastic. Damien Jones is the illustrator for the bestselling DRAGON MASTERS series, now on book six, and it's always exciting when a reader takes the time to review the illustrations, as this reader did on Amazon: "Damien Jones' black-and-white illustrations are featured on almost every page. Unlike the simplistic drawings in some other children's books, these have depth, perspective, and dimension, making them visually interesting and very appealing. These illustrations bring the characters to life." Congratulations to Damien!
 UP HAMSTER DOWN HAMSTER written and illustrated by Kass Reich. Published September 2015 by Orca Books.
Kids and parents alike can get the giggles with this delightful board book of opposites as demonstrated by adorable-------and goofy-------hamsters. Read this follow-up to Kass Reich's previous bestselling hamster books, HAMSTERS HOLDING HANDS and THIS LITTLE HAMSTER.
 HAMSTERS ON THE GO written and illustrated by Kass Reich. Published March 2016 by Orca Books.
Kass Reich's cute and cuddly hamsters take on traveling adventures under the sea and on dry land in her last board book in her bestselling hamster series.
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Praise for BEWARE THAT GIRL by Teresa Toten (World Rights Available Ex: English U.S., Delacorte/PRHUS; English Canada, PRH Canada; U.K./AUS/N.Z., Hot Key; German, Fischer; World French, Hachette Jeunesse; Spain, PRH Spain; Brazil, Record; Dutch, Gottmer; Russian, AST Publishers; Film, Awesomeness Films):
"Has all the makings of a crossover hit. It's smart, dark, entertaining, and unpredictable."
-Quill & Quire, starred review
"Combines a Gossip Girl milieu with the unsettled psychological terrain of Gone Girl."
-Publishers Weekly
"A sharp narrative whose twists will demand an instant reread. Beware That Girl is a terrifying chess game, and Toten is the ultimate player." -National Reading Campaign
"A tense teen thriller." -Kirkus Reviews
"The author skillfully reveals gritty and tantalizing details in meager bites, keeping readers captivated. A must-have for teen fans of psychological thrillers such as Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl." -SLJ
"You guys. I can't even with this book. It is a psychological thriller on steroids - mesmerizingly creepy from first to very last page. It kept making me anxious enough to have to put it down, but it's so fascinating I kept picking it back up. I think this one is going to be big. Really big. Colossal." -Teen Library Toolbox
Praise for BEACH BABY by Laurie Elmquist & Elly MacKay (World Rights Available Ex: English North America, Orca):
"Enchanting, engaging, and restful." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A lovely, warm, emotive story which warms both heart and soul."
-Resource Links
Praise for TRIAL BY FIRE: A Riley Donovan Mystery by Norah McClintock (World Rights Available Ex: English North America, Orca; Finnish/Norwegian/Swedish book club, Stabenfeldt):
"The fast-paced plot will make this a satisfying read...A solid young adult crime novel." -VOYA Magazine
"Tightly plotted page-turner...Riley Donovan is a strong-minded, sensible and personable teen with whom readers will identify and cheer on. Highly Recommended." -CM Magazine
Praise for BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON by Stephanie Shaw, illustrated by Rebecca Harry (Tiger Tales, February 2016):
"The rhyming couplets and warm blue-------and green-------toned illustrations go a long way to lulling little readers to rest, making this a particularly effective bedtime book. A winsome addition to the bedtime-storybook stack." -Kirkus Reviews
Praise for SCHNITZEL: A Cautionary Tale for Lazy Louts by Stephanie Shaw, illustrated by Kevin M. Barry (Sleeping Bear Press, August 2016):
"THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE gets a new treatment as Schnitzel, apprentice to the renowned wizard Sir Willabald, is loath to tackle the housekeeping. Just enough creepiness for a Halloween read-aloud." -Kirkus Reviews
Praise for A SQUIGGLY STORY by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Mike Lowery (Kids Can Press, September 2016):
"This book offers a fine mirror for brown boys who aspire to write, but it's also a great pro-literacy story for all children about brown kids who hold reading and writing in high regard."
-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 Praise for BEST FRIENDS THROUGH ETERNITY by Sylvia McNicoll (Young Adult; Tundra Books, 2015):
"The tone is fresh and feels present-day appropriate, challenging stereotypes, racism and how families integrate into Canadian culture." -The Globe and Mail
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KATE INGLIS
Kate Inglis lives along the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, where she was born. She is the author of two middle grade novels THE DREAD CREW: Pirates of the Backwoods (Nimbus), its sequel, THE FLIGHT OF THE GRIFFONS (Nimbus), and IF I WERE A ZOMBIE (Nimbus), a book of monster poetry for children. January Magazine called THE DREAD CREW "a spirited tale, gorgeously rendered", and it was nominated for a Hackmatack Award and a Red Cedar Award. In 2008, after the premature birth and loss of her son Liam, she launched a community for bereaved parents called Glow in the Woods. She is currently writing a book about the lightness, darkness, and discovery that follows loss. Contact: amy@transatlanticagency.com
RYAN ALEXANDER-TANNER
Ryan Alexander-Tanner became fascinated by comics at a very young age and not much has changed since then. He received a BFA in 2005 and quickly built a career, first as a comics journalist for Portland, Oregon's alt-weekly newspaper The Willamette Week and then as a brand illustrator for Dave's Killer Bread. He went on to co-author (with renowned educator William Ayers) and illustrate TO TEACH: The Journey, in Comics for Columbia University's Teachers College Press in 2010. His more recent work has focused on creating comics that make underrepresented peoples and issues more accessible, for clients that include Medium.com, Buzzfeed.com, Talkingpointsmemo.com, Bitchmedia.org, and Planned Parenthood. He has taught classes and workshops and given presentations about how to make and/or teach comics at many institutions, including Stanford, SAIC, Bank Street, and Columbia. He is currently working with client Sarah Mirk on a YA graphic novel about relationships. Contact: fiona@transatlanticagency.com
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Summer has arrived in our neck of the woods. With temperatures in the upper eighties (28 - 30 C), there's no better place to read a manuscript than by the water's edge. A sudden gust of wind no longer poses a threat to the manuscript (thank you, e-reading devices!) and there's opportunity for quiet reflection.
Fleur observes the activities of a shy turtle, frog and toad, and hungry caterpillar with an experienced eye-------and seems to be thinking "Surprise me!" And on this beautiful day by the water's edge both a new manuscript and the appearance of a muskrat do not disappoint.
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