Hi everyone! If you’re a fan of picture books, TALKING BOOKS: Audiobook Inventor Dr. Robert B. Irwin and a New Way to Read by Jenny Lacika and Ashanti Fortson has a live pre-order link and a BEAUTIFUL cover – February 24, 2026, this gorgeous book from Atheneum Books for Young Readers can be yours!

A captivating picture book biography of determined innovator Dr. Robert B. Irwin, who invented the audiobook and revolutionized the way stories are shared, opening the door for people of all abilities to become readers.

Robert Benjamin Irwin loves to learn and explore. But when he’s five, his eyes grow red and painful from fever, and he loses his sight. Since he can no longer see, Robert focuses instead on what he can do: discovering new ways to learn and experience the world through sound.

As he grows up, Robert learns to read books written in Braille, a system of raised dots that can be read with fingers. But as much as he loves stories, he finds finger-reading Braille slow and difficult. He wishes he could listen to a story like he listens to the birds. So, with a team of audio engineers, Robert sets out to make it happen—and revolutionizes reading for people around the world.

In Song of the Lioness, Book 1: Alanna, the first of four volumes adapting #1 New York Times bestseller Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness quartet, we meet Alanna of Trebond, a young noblewoman from the kingdom of Tortall.

Alanna isn’t like other girls from noble families—what she really wants is to become a knight and earn her shield, something women definitely aren’t allowed to do.

But Alanna will not be deterred, and she arrives in the capital disguised as a boy to begin training as a page, the first step toward becoming a knight. Despite the tough conditions and grueling work, Alanna’s skills and stubbornness win her friends amongst the nobility and the denizens of the lower city. But not everyone wishes her well . . .

Filled with magic and mayhem, adventure and action, swords and spells, book one in the Song of the Lioness quartet is the ultimate introduction to Alanna and Tamora Pierce’s legendary Tortall universe.

Praise

***STARRED REVIEW***
“[S]tunning…Whether depicting ancient ghosts, battles, or emotional confessions, the art draws the reader into a detailed, well-realized world. Recommended not only for fans of the original but anyone interested in one girl’s quest for adventure and the destiny that awaits her.”—Booklist

“The rich color palette and varied panel shapes are appealing. Fun, accessible, and still fierce, Alanna’s story is ready to be enjoyed by old and new audiences alike. A worthy adaptation, playing to the strengths of the visual format.”—Kirkus Reviews

“More than forty years after the original publication date, a graphic novel adaptation breathes fresh life into the first volume of Pierce’s beloved Song of the Lioness quartet…The vividly colored, intricate artwork offers an extra layer of storytelling …Readers will likely be deeply invested in Alanna’s ferocious grit and her unwavering desire to serve the realm as a knight.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Beck’s illustrations are excellent, with expressive faces, impressive fight scenes, and stunning backgrounds that anchor and expand the world. VERDICT New readers and existing fans of the original novels will fall in love with this world and Alanna.”—School Library Journal

Hey everybody, just letting you all know about MORSEL by Carter Keane, which was announced today, along with a cover reveal (art by Emerald Barkley, design by Jess Kiley)! Click the link to preorder 🙂

Determined to lift her ill mother out of poverty before it’s too late, and in the spirit of climbing the corporate ladder, Lou accepts an assignment in the rural hills of Ohio. She quickly finds herself stranded in the middle of nowhere with a sabotaged truck, a dog she’s determined to keep safe, and something stalking her through the ancient Appalachian woods.

If she can’t escape the woods in time, she’ll come face to face with the fact that her job isn’t the only thing that wants to eat her alive.

Morsel is a chilling testament to the burden of generational poverty and the all-consuming nature of capitalism, where the monster and the monstrous, in the end, are not the same.

Hello hello! First book announcement of the year! This graphic novel from Abrams Fanfare is currently being drawn, for a 2026 publication date, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Image transcription: “Charlotte Greenbaum at Abrams Fanfare has acquired TOO HOT TO TANGO by E.E. Salo (l.) and Megan Kearney. Pitched as “Dirty dancing but gay,” the YA graphic novel follows Honey, sports camp counselor and soccer star, as she gets roped into being arts camp rival Teddi’s competitive dance partner. The only problem is Honey can’t dance, and she just may be falling head over heels for Teddi. Publication is slated for fall 2026; Susan Graham while at Einstein Literary handled the deal for world rights.” + photos of the creators

Hi everyone! The long awaited sequel to Stonewall Honor Book BEETLE AND THE HOLLOWBONES came into the world on Tuesday. I’m so excited for everyone to read BEETLE AND THE CHIMERA CARNIVAL by Aliza Layne! Aliza’s truly outdone herself in this one.

Hidden behind the clouds, giant dragons guard the most powerful magic in the world from prying eyes. On one magical night, once every ten years, these leviathans reveal themselves to a fanfare of costumes, music, and parades in the Chimera Carnival.

But this time, something’s wrong.

When Beetle, Penny, and Kat decide to check out the empty carnival site one night, they discover an injured dragon screaming for help. And the more Beetle uncovers about the Chimera Carnival, the more sinister it gets. Dragons who arrive for the early festivities disappear without a trace. Beetle’s magic begins to go haywire. And Kat’s parents come back to town, worrying both girls about whether they have a future together.

In the catacombs beneath the demolished ’Allowstown mall, something hungers for dragon magic. And Beetle and her friends are already more entwined with it than they could possibly imagine.

Hello hello! Some of my clients and/or books I’ve worked on are getting good press this first half of 2025, and I just thought I’d let you all know.

BROWNSTONE was also a Harvey Award Nominee in 2024, an Indie Next List Selection, a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book, and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book.

We have the Children’s Book Council’s Teacher Favorites, which include: WHO WAS HER OWN WORK OF ART? FRIDA KAHLO by Terry Blas and Ashanti Fortson (Penguin Workshop, February 2024); HOVER GIRLS by Geneva Bowers (Bloomsbury YA, August 2024); and NAVIGATING WITH YOU by Jeremy Whitley, Cassio Ribeiro and Nikki Foxrobot (Maverick, August 2024); You can find WHO WAS HER OWN WORK OF ART: FRIDA KAHLO and HOVERGIRLS on the Children’s Book Council’s Librarian Favorites, and HOVERGIRLS on the Children’s Favorites Middle Grade List as well!

Hello friends! As of January 1, 2025, Einstein Literary Management where I have worked since 2015 will be closing its doors, and I will be moving to Dunow, Carlson, and Lerner Agency where I will be an agent and continue to represent my clients.

Please do visit Dunow, Carlson, and Lerner Agency’s website where you can find submissions instructions and follow me as you like on the site formerly known as Twitter, where I will be until Publishing no longer semi-requires me to be there, and on Bluesky.

If I ever decide to get my act together on this front, I will be updating my MSWL.