New Release: HOUSE OF THE BLACK SPOT

The Double+ gang discover that sometimes greed can extend beyond the grave, as they are thrust into a battle between revolting real estate developers and their ghoulish goon bent on destroying the idyllic Gear Town with ghastly gentrification and the most frightful sight of all… condos!

Select praise for HOUSE OF THE BLACK SPOT:

• The Comics Journal review: “Sears’ strength is absolutely as a visual storyteller, but there’s enough happening in his engaging characters, involving storylines, and light-fingered explorations of contemporary issues that [his] books are always something to look forward to, and the latest, House of the Black Spot, is a perfect example.”
  

• “Imagine Indiana Jones as told by Hayao Miyazaki.”
  - Zainab Akhtar, The Guardian
  

• “Sears creates comics that are easy for kids to enjoy with their crisp cartooning, bright colors, and clever sense of humor, but he also includes rich thematic content that makes his books a more substantial read for adults.”
  - Oliver Sava, The A.V. Club

HOUSE OF THE BLACK SPOT by Ben Sears (Koyama Press, May 2019)

New Release: SINCERELY, HARRIET

Harriet Flores struggles with boredom and an unrequited crush while learning to manage her chronic illness through a long, hot, 1990s summer in Chicago. She uses her imagination to cope, which sometimes gets her into trouble, as she makes up fantastical fibs and wonders if there are ghosts upstairs. One neighbor, Pearl, encourages Harriet to read and write, leading Harriet to have a breakthrough and discover the power of storytelling.

Select praise for SINCERELY, HARRIET:

• Booklist review: “Middle-grade readers will relate to Harriet’s anxiety about fitting in and making friends, while also exploring subjects like ableism and intersectionality, which Searle depicts with grace and empathy.”

• Kirkus starred review: "The pacing is masterful as the truth behind Harry’s many fears is slowly and poignantly revealed, maintaining the tension and mystery of each story thread until the tapestry is complete. Searle tackles Harry’s anxiety about her illness as well as common adolescent concerns about friendships, school, and family with an honesty and tenderness that will resonate with readers... Heartfelt and heartwarming."

• Publishers Weekly review: "Comics creator Searle slowly unspools the story of a middle schooler living with multiple sclerosis... In jewel-toned art, Searle successfully creates a claustrophobic, lonesome ambience."

• School Library Journal review: "The wide-eyed, expressive characters and reassuring art are well suited to this introspective narrative."

SINCERELY, HARRIET by Sarah Searle (Lerner Graphic Universe, May 2019)

New Release: WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE CASTLE

WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE CASTLE by Emily Carroll (Koyama Press, April 2019)

Emily Carroll has fashioned a rich gothic horror charged with eroticism that doesn’t just make your skin crawl, it crawls into it.

Like many before her that have never come back, she’s made it to the Countess’ castle determined to snuff out the horror, but she could never be prepared for what hides within its turrets… or what unfurls under its fluttering flags.

Select praise for WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE CASTLE:

• Paste Magazine review: “Her full-bleed pages and limited palette, her incongruous close-ups, her weird shading and her unexpected teeth all surgically peel back your skin.”

• Publishers Weekly review: “Carroll’s fans will best appreciate this slim poetic work, as it delivers on her standards, and envelops the reader in a world that’s tense, haunting, and genuinely scary.”

• Women Write About Comics review: “When I Arrived at the Castle feels like slipping into a rich velvet robe only to find that its red color is from centuries of bloodstains.”

New Release: THISBY THESTOOP AND THE WRETCHED SCRATTLE

Thisby Thestoop, gamekeeper and unlikely hero, would do anything to save her home - even enter the Wretched Scrattle, a death-defying race through the Black Mountain.

In the wake of their harrowing victory against the forces of the Darkwell, Thisby Thestoop, gamekeeper and sometime friend for all creatures gruesome, grotesque, and uncommon, has found herself in the usual position of running the Black Mountain dungeon. Under her watch, the resident monsters, from the hordes of merpeople to drooling trolls, are all well-fed, content, and far from the reach of other kingdoms - or so Thisby thinks.

With unrest growing between the Kingdom of Nth and Umberfall, rumors of a conspiracy have caught the ears of the king. And control of the dungeon has been wrenched from the hands of those who have cared for it best.

Wasting no time in ruining all of Thisby’s hard work, the royally appointed overseer throws the dungeon into chaos - the fire bats are out of their cave, the trolls are wide awake, and, most telling of all, the dire rats are acting strange. What’s worse is that every day more and more monsters - everything from tiny imps, to banshees, to a full-grown wyvern - are turning up dead and Thisby can’t discern any pattern to the fatal attacks. But there may be a way to put things back like they were - the Wretched Scrattle.

Beginning in the very deepest tunnels of the dungeon, the Wretched Scrattle’s tournament victor will claim the ultimate prize of becoming the new Master of the Black Mountain. No one knows the dungeons quite like Thisby, and if she wins she’ll have it back to running like dünkeldwarven automata—that is, if she can make it out alive.

Don’t miss the second installment in this rollicking fantasy-adventure series by Zac Gorman, contributor to the hilarious Rick and Morty comic series, with illustrations from award-winning artist Sam Bosma.

THISBY THESTOOP AND THE WRETCHED SCRATTLE by Zac Gorman, with art by Sam Bosma (Harper Children’s, April 2019)

New Release: THE BREAKAWAYS

THE BREAKAWAYS by Cathy G. Johnson, colors by Kevin Czap (First Second, March 2019)

Quiet, sensitive Faith starts middle school already worrying about how she will fit in. To her surprise, Amanda, a popular eighth grader, convinces her to join the school soccer team, the Bloodhounds. Having never played soccer in her life, Faith ends up on the C team, a ragtag group that’s way better at drama than at teamwork. Although they are awful at soccer, Faith and her teammates soon form a bond both on and off the soccer field that challenges their notions of loyalty, identity, friendship, and unity.

The Breakaways from Cathy G. Johnson is a raw and beautifully honest graphic novel that looks into the lives of a diverse and defiantly independent group of kids learning to make room for themselves in the world.

Select praise for THE BREAKAWAYS:

• Booklist review: “Kids after empowering, character-driven stories about realistic friendships will fall in love.”

• Kirkus review: "Groundbreaking—and as complicated as middle school."

• Publishers Weekly review: "Johnson’s graphic novel will resonate with readers who are figuring out who they are and where they belong."

• School Library Journal review: “A down-to-earth friendship story for readers of Svetlana Chmakova's Awkward, Jennifer L. Holm's Sunny Side Up, and Raina Telgemeier's Drama.”

New Release: GIRL TOWN

GIRL TOWN by Carolyn Nowak (Top Shelf / IDW, November 2018)

Ignatz Award-winning cartoonist Carolyn Nowak (Lumberjanes) finds powerful truths in fantasy worlds. Her solo debut collection celebrates the ascent of a rising star in comics.

Diana got hurt -- a lot -- and she's decided to deal with this fact by purchasing a life-sized robot boyfriend. Mary and La-La host a podcast about a movie no one's ever seen. Kelly has dragged her friend Beth out of her comfort zone -- and into a day at the fantasy market that neither of them will forget.

Carolyn Nowak's Girl Town collects the Ignatz Award-winning stories "Radishes" and "Diana's Electric Tongue" together with several other tales of young adulthood and the search for connection. Here are her most acclaimed mini-comics and anthology contributions, enhanced with new colors and joined by brand-new work.

Bold, infatuated, wounded, or lost, Nowak's girls shine with life and longing. Their stories -- depicted with remarkable charm and insight -- capture the spirit of our time.

Select praise for GIRL TOWN:

• Kirkus review: “Nowak creates raw female characters and, by spotlighting them, demands that they be seen.”

• Publishers Weekly review: "[Nowak's] art is consistently appealing, with relatable funny-faced characters inhabiting imaginatively detailed settings, all drenched in bright broad-paintbox colors... the full collection represents the emergence of a promising new comics talent."

New Release: THE HIDDEN WITCH

Every witch needs a family…

Aster's parents have finally agreed that he can learn witchery with the girls, but he has a lot of catching up to do. So when Grandmother offers her tutoring in exchange for a favor, Aster jumps at the chance, until she asks him to help his great-uncle, Mikasi. Family or no, Aster isn't ready to face the beast who nearly destroyed him and his cousins.

Across town, dark magic has attached itself to Aster's friend Charlie. Witches are taught never to create a "Fetch," a cruel shadow form that does only harm. But the thing following Charlie is a clear sign that someone is breaking the rules.

With the help of his family, Aster does everything he can to protect Charlie. But to discover who's making the Fetch, and to put a stop to it, he'll need darker, more powerful magic, from the most dangerous witch he knows...

Select praise for THE HIDDEN WITCH:

• Kirkus starred review: "Ostertag’s sophomore effort is every bit as wonderful as its predecessor, with continued strong worldbuilding, lovely large and bright illustrations, and its approachable and diverse cast that runs a true-to-life spectrum encompassing white-, tan-, and dark-skinned characters as well as same-sex relationships... An absolutely bewitching sequel."

• School Library Journal review: "An exciting continuation of Aster's supernatural journey, whose coming-of-age messages will resonate with middle graders."
  
  

THE HIDDEN WITCH by Molly Ostertag (Scholastic, October 2018)

New Release: CAVEBOY DAVE - NOT SO FABOO

CAVEBOY DAVE: NOT SO FABOO by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Phil McAndrew (Viking Children’s, October 2018)

From New York Times bestselling author Aaron Reynolds comes the latest installment of Caveboy Dave, a middle grade graphic novel series perfect for fans of Captain Underpants.

Twelve-year-old Dave Unga-Bunga is having a great year: he survived his deadly Baby-Go-Boom ceremony, he’s earned the respect of the villagers of Bleccchh, and he just invented ice cream and summer vacation. Before the ice cream melts, Dave and his friends spot a plume of smoke on the horizon (could there be others nearby?) and suddenly Shaman Faboo–the glue that holds the community together–goes missing. With no one to tell them what to do or how to think, the village panics and elects Dave as their new leader. If Dave can’t find Shaman Faboo and bring him back, he’ll be doomed to a life of boredom and something much worse: public service!

Not So Faboo, the second book in the Caveboy Dave series, delivers irresistible characters, big thrills, and even bigger laughs.

Select praise for NOT SO FABOO:

• Kirkus review: "Such easily accessible themes as the importance of teamwork, dealing with loss, and the power of friendship wind through a tale distinguished by fast pacing and an abundance of knee-slapping middle-grade humor."

New Release: MEAL

MEAL by Blue Delliquanti with Soleil Ho (Iron Circus Comics, October 2018)

"You moved cross-country to work at a bug restaurant. There's no way I'm gonna miss what happens next."

Yarrow is a young chef determined to make her mark on the cutting edge of cookery with her insect-based creations. Though her enthusiasm is infectious, it rubs some of her fellow cooks the wrong way, especially Chanda Flores, Yarrow's personal hero and executive chef of an exciting new restaurant. Her people have been eating bugs for centuries, and she's deeply suspicious of this newbie's attempt to turn her traditions into the next foodie trend. While Chanda and her scrappy team of talented devotees struggle to open on time, Yarrow must win over Chanda - and Milani, the neighbor she's been crushing on for weeks - or lose this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to achieve her dreams.

Co-written with chef and food writer Soleil Ho (Edible Manhattan, Bitch), Blue Delliquanti's sweet coming-of-age story takes us deep into a world of art, mystery, and memory on the culinary frontier.

Select praise for MEAL:

• School Library Journal starred review: "The creators infuse the sophisticated narrative with knowledge of restaurant politics, food history, and cultural views about insect-eating around the world. The bright-eyed energy of Delliquanti's clean, solidly inked cartoons engages the senses. Snapshots of chopped vegetables and simmering sauces will remind readers of their own powerful experiences discovering new flavors and foods. The final result is a delicious feast steeped in a rich combination of a diverse cast, queer romance, and culinary delight."

• Publishers Weekly review: "This fresh and tasty comic provides an enticing introduction to a less-traveled area of cuisine."

New Release: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER - NEW SCHOOL NIGHTMARE

An exciting and hilarious new middle grade story for anyone who likes (or doesn't like) vampires!

Buffy Summers is just like any other student... except for the part where she's also a secret vampire slayer. In every generation, one girl is granted great strength to stand against the forces of darkness. Of course, power doesn't matter when it comes to eating lunch alone, getting picked on by the popular kids, or having way too much homework.

Luckily, Buffy finds her way with a can-do attitude, a weird Watcher, and new besties, Sarafina and Alvaro - who might just have powers of their own. But will any of it be enough to turn the tide when an army of villainous vampires invade town? Can Buffy save herself, let alone the world?

Like Star Wars: Jedi Academy and DC Comics's Secret Hero Society, this action-packed and fun-filled story is told through comics, journal entries, class notes, doodles, text messages, and other in-world artifacts.

Select praise for NEW SCHOOL NIGHTMARE:

• Kirkus review: “With a light touch and a fast pace, this mix of fizzy journal entries, playful comics panels, and OMG-laden text messages is sure to please fans of both epistolary novels and vampire fare... This breezy re-envisioning will prime the younger set for the real thing.”

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: NEW SCHOOL NIGHTMARE by Carolyn Nowak (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, September 2018)

New Release: HEARTSEEKER

HEARTSEEKER by Melinda Beatty (Putnam Children’s, June 2018)

You’re a Fallow of the Orchard. You’re as tough as a green apple in summer.

Only Fallow was just six harvests old when she realized that not everyone sees lies. For Only, seeing lies is as beautiful as looking through a kaleidoscope, but telling them is as painful as gnawing on cut glass. Only’s family warns her to keep her cunning hidden, but secrets are seldom content to stay secret.

When word of Only’s ability makes its way to the King, she’s plucked from her home at the orchard and brought to the castle at Bellskeep. There she learns that the kingdom is plagued by traitors, and that her task is to help the King distinguish between friend and foe. But being able to see lies doesn’t necessarily mean that others aren’t able to disguise their dishonesty with cunnings of their own.

In the duplicitous, power-hungry court, the truth is Only’s greatest weapon… and her greatest weakness.

Select Praise for HEARTSEEKER:

• Booklist review: "A smart, captivating fantasy-adventure that will leave readers hungry for more."

• Kirkus review: “This series opener dances compellingly along the border separating its young, naïve heroine from harsh political realities.”

• Publishers Weekly review: “Beatty creates a cast of memorable characters and entrancingly vivid settings, immersing readers in a magical realm worth revisiting.”

• School Library Journal review: “"In this stunning debut novel, Beatty crafts a world rich with its own mythology and filled with strong heroes. This well-developed and original fantasy is a must-have for any middle grade collection."

Awards!

AS THE CROW FLIES by Melanie Gillman won the 2018 EGL Best of Middle Grade Award and is on the shortlist for the 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics.

ELEMENTS: FIRE, edited by Taneka Stotts, won the 2018 Eisner Award for Best Anthology.

MONSTER SCIENCE, illustrated by Phil McAndrew (and written by Helaine Becker), was named a 2018 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Honor book.

O HUMAN STAR by Blue Delliquanti won a 2018 Prism Award in the Webcomics category.

THE CARPET MERCHANT OF KONSTANTINIYYA by Reimena Yee was nominated for a 2018 Eisner Award in the Best Digital Comic category.

THE WITCH BOY by Molly Ostertag won the 2018 EBSCO SEE-IT Award, won a 2018 Prism Award in the Mainstream Comics and Graphic Novels category, and is on the shortlist for the 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Kids' Comics.

New Release: THISBY THESTOOP AND THE BLACK MOUNTAIN

THISBY THESTOOP AND THE BLACK MOUNTAIN
by Zac Gorman, art by Sam Bosma (HarperCollins, Apr 2018)

Surrounded by all creatures gruesome and grotesque, Thisby Thestoop, the gamekeeper for the Black Mountain Dungeon, is getting roped into another job -saving the princess’s skin - in the debut fantasy-adventure series by Zac Gorman, contributor to the hilarious Rick and Morty comic series.

In the absurd land of Nth, Thisby Thestoop can be found within the forlorn walls of Castle Grimstone, down the precarious steps of the Black Mountain dungeon, up to her nose in griffon toenails, gnoll spittle, and troll meat (to give to them, not made of them).

When the prince and princess arrive for a Royal Inspection, the much too good-looking Princess Iphigenia winds up lost in the tunnels of the dungeon - without her guards, her staff, or her younger twin brother - and it’s up to Thisby to guide the princess safely past the hoards of minotaurs, wyverns, ghouls, and who-knows-what-else that would love nothing more than to nosh the royal highness for dinner.

Thisby Thestoop and Princess Iphigenia have a dangerous adventure ahead of them. If they’re going to a rescue the missing prince, stop a mounting war, and keep safe all the creatures who call the mountain dungeon home, they’ll have to learn how to trust each other.

Select Praise for THISBY THESTOOP:

- Kirkus review: “A proper adventure story.”

- School Library Journal review: “Tweens will instantly connect with innovative, hardworking Thisby and cheer her on. ... The story is an intriguing page-turner.”

- Publishers Weekly review: “Gorman makes a strong children’s book debut ... delivering a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure. Clever Thisby and forceful Iphigenia make a delightfully odd pairing as they form an unlikely friendship amid the chaos and danger, and Bosma’s ghoulish b&w illustrations further help bring the characters and creatures to life.” 

- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books review: “The strength of this first novel of a planned series is certainly its menagerie of familiar and unfamiliar monsters, which Thisby helms as a young and extraordinary zookeeper.”

Awards and Nominations round-up!

AGENTS OF THE REALM by Mildred Louis was nominated for the 2018 Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Webcomic of the Year.

AS THE CROW FLIES by Melanie Gillman was named a 2018 Stonewall Honor Book, is a 2018 EGL finalist in both the Best of Middle Grade and Mosaic Award categories, and is one of YALSA's 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

ELEMENTS: FIRE, edited by Taneka Stotts, won a silver medal in the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Graphic Novel / Drawn Book category and was nominated for two 2018 DINKy Awards. Shivana Sookdeo's contribution "Breath, Plucked From Heaven" was nominated for the 2018 Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Print Comic of the Year. 

FULL CIRCLE by Taneka Stotts and Christianne Goudreau was named a 2018 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity nominee.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE PROJECT by Tricia Clasen is a 2017 Voya Top Shelf Fiction selection for middle grade readers. 

NO BETTER WORDS by Carolyn Nowak was nominated for a 2018 DINKy Award.

O HUMAN STAR by Blue Delliquanti made the 2017 James Tiptree Jr. Award longlist.

POCKETS by Melanie Gillman was nominated for two 2018 DINKy Awards and won in the Best Mini Comic category.

THE PRICE OF ACCEPTANCE by Sarah Searle was nominated for the 2018 Slate Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Webcomic of the Year.

THE WITCH BOY by Molly Knox Ostertag is a 2018 EGL finalist and one of YALSA's 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

New Release: SPEAK: The Graphic Novel

SPEAK: The Graphic Novel (FSG, Feb 2018)
by Laurie Halse Anderson, art by Emily Carroll

The critically acclaimed, award-winning, modern classic SPEAK is now a stunning graphic novel.

"Speak up for yourself - we want to know what you have to say."

From the first moment of her freshman year at Merryweather High, Melinda knows this is a big fat lie, part of the nonsense of high school. She is friendless - an outcast - because she busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so now nobody will talk to her, let alone listen to her.

Through her work on an art project, she is finally able to face what really happened that night: she was raped by an upperclassman, a guy who still attends Merryweather and is still a threat to her.

With powerful illustrations by Emily Carroll, Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK comes alive for new audiences and fans of the classic novel.

Select praise for SPEAK: The Graphic Novel:

- Kirkus starred review: "A masterful graphic novel transformation... this visual adaptation takes readers outside Melinda’s head and sits them alongside her, seeing what she sees and feeling the importance and power of her desire to create art and express herself. Carroll’s stark black-and-white illustrations are exquisitely rendered, capturing the mood through a perfectly calibrated lens. With the rise of women finding their voices and speaking out about sexual assault in the media, this reworking of the enduring 1999 classic should be on everyone’s radar. Powerful, necessary, and essential."

- School Library Journal starred review: "This potent retelling of the modern classic SPEAK blends words and images to create magic: a new representation of a teen whose voice is ripped from her, the battles she must wage to find it again, and the triumph of finally being able to speak out. Carroll’s grayscale artwork perfectly depicts the starkness of Melinda’s depression...This gripping, powerful work will introduce SPEAK to a brand-new audience and enthrall longtime fans."

- Booklist starred review: "Carroll, well-known for her horror comics, does an excellent job of bringing the vignettes of Anderson’s novel to the graphic format...Carroll powerfully evokes moods with creeping, smudgy shadows; faces with missing eyes and mouths; and jagged panel borders. Grasping hands reach down from tree branches until trees and hands are tumbled together in a juddering haystack of overlapping lines. Those moments are striking, but they’re even more striking when set against scenes of Melinda’s quiet, isolated day-to-day reality, as well as her gradual growth and steps toward recovery. Carroll strikes a deft balance, gracefully juggling the acute terror of Melinda’s rape, the pernicious paranoia that follows her in its wake, the swirling rumors and bullying surrounding her, and glimmering moments of hope and comfort. With spellbinding artwork, this exceptional adaptation masterfully does justice to its source material while adding new depth and nuance." 

- Horn Book starred review: "In this new graphic novel adaptation of Anderson’s SPEAK - a powerful narrative of a freshman’s year of self-preservation after a brutal sexual assault - artist Carroll starkly renders protagonist Melinda’s pain and healing in black and white, expertly deploying visual perspective and tension to sharpen the emotional impact."

- Shelf Awareness starred review: "The entire graphic novel is illustrated in grayscale, allowing the work to be as visually dark as its content. Strong lines, overlapping panels and clever use of blank space show Carroll's skill in creating Melinda's stifling, near-silent world. SPEAK: The Graphic Novel is hypnotizing and heart-breaking, with the kind of empowering finish that unshackles protagonist and readers alike."

New Release: THE WITCH BOY

THE WITCH BOY by Molly Knox Ostertag (Scholastic, Oct 2017)

Even magic has rules...

In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.

When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.

Select praise for THE WITCH BOY:
- Kirkus starred review: "With charming artwork, interesting supporting characters, natural-feeling diversity, and peeks of a richly developed world, this book leaves readers wishing for more."
- School Library Journal starred review: "Ostertag’s bright, gentle, cartoonlike artwork brims with life and adds extra appeal to this fast-moving story."

Deal Announcement: CURSED

Monica Perez at Charlesbridge has bought Karol Ruth Silverstein's debut YA novel, Cursed. Erica "Ricky" Bloom, recently diagnosed with a chronic illness that's nearly as embarrassing as it is painful, employs her best coping mechanisms—cursing and cutting class—to deal with pain, family upheaval, and the challenges of school. When she's caught, she must struggle to catch up to avoid a far worse horror: repeating ninth grade. Publication is set for spring 2019.

Deal Announcement: OTHER

Karol Ruth Silverstein's OTHER, to Laurie Hermann at Redleaf Lane, for publication in July 2019, by Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management (world). 

OTHER is a picture book about the "other" cat in the neighborhood, the one without a home. But he's not without friends: a child is determined to find shelter for Other before winter comes.
 

Deal Announcement: GIRL TOWN

Ignatz Award–winner Carolyn Nowak sold her debut comics collection, GIRL TOWN, to Leigh Walton at Top Shelf Productions.

Nowak won the Ignatz for her online comic Radishes, which follows two teenagers who skip school one day to go to what the publisher calls the “local fantasy market.” 

GIRL TOWN will collect Radishes along with, Top Shelf said, “several other stories about young women seeking connection.” Jen Linnan, who has an eponymous shingle, represented Nowak. GIRL TOWN is slated for fall 2018.

PW: Nowak Takes Debut Collection to Top Shelf

Deal Announcement: A MAP TO THE SUN

Photo credit: Brandon O'Larey

Sloane Leong's A MAP TO THE SUN, to Calista Brill at First Second Books, for publication in 2019, by Jen Linnan at Linnan Literary Management (world).

Summers always seem to burn bright and fast for Ren but never faster than when she met Luna. Daring and independent, Luna and Ren spend their last middle school break together, only to have their short whirlwind friendship end with Luna’s sudden move away and all without a goodbye.

Two rough high school years later and Ren is being forced to join a basketball team for her poor school record with a crew of other misfits or face expulsion…and as quick as she left, Luna is back and ready to play too. Cliques, bullies, gangs, crushes, rivals and basketball: summer is back with a vengeance.

BookRiot: Exclusive Art Reveal of A Map to the Sun