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

New Release: SHATTERED WARRIOR

SHATTERED WARRIOR
by Sharon Shinn, illustrated by Molly Ostertag (First Second, May 2017)

It is eight years after Colleen Cavanaugh's home world was invaded by the Derichets, a tyrannical alien race bent on exploiting the planet's mineral resources.

Most of her family died in the war, and she now lives alone in the city. Aside from her acquaintances at the factory where she toils for the Derichets, Colleen makes a single friend in Jann, a member of the violent group of rebels known as the Chromatti. One day Colleen receives shocking news: her niece Lucy is alive and in need of her help. Together, Colleen, Jann, and Lucy create their own tenuous family.

But Colleen must decide if it's worth risking all of their survival to join a growing underground revolution against the Derichets.

Select praise for Shattered Warrior:

-Booklist review: "Perfect for fans of dystopian sci-fi and books with strong female leads."
-School Library Journal review: "Ostertag’s art supports Shinn’s storytelling beautifully. ...This is a strong choice for sci-fi graphic novel collections, especially those seeking representation in genre fiction."