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Congratulations to Ruth Spiro on the publication of her new picture book, Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever!

A huge hooray for Ruth Spiro on the publication of her second MAXINE picture book!

Best friends Maxine and Leo combine their maker and artistic skills to create (and save!) the ultimate garden in this empowering, STEM-focused picture book

After sketching and plotting and planting, Maxine and Leo know they’ve made The Greatest Garden Ever! But they’re not the only ones who think so. Soon, all sorts of animals make their way in, munching on carrots and knocking over pots. When Leo and Maxine can’t agree on a way to deter these unwelcome critters, it looks like there’s more on the line than saving their garden–they just might need to save their friendship too.

PRAISE for Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever!

“Offers kids lots of minutiae to look at, including clever endpapers with comical … [more]

Congratulations to Sarah Lariviere on the publication of her debut YA novel, TIME TRAVEL FOR LOVE AND PROFIT!

When Nephele has a terrible freshman year, she does the only logical thing for a math prodigy like herself: she invents a time travel app so she can go back and do it again (and again, and again) in this funny love story, Groundhog Day for the iPhone generation. Fourteen-year-old Nephele used to have friends. Well, she had a friend. That friend made the adjustment to high school easily, leaving Nephele behind in the process. And as Nephele looks ahead, all she can see is three very lonely years.

Nephele is also a whip-smart lover of math and science, so she makes a plan. Step one: invent time travel. Step two: go back in time, have a do-over of 9th grade, crack the code on making friends and become beloved and popular.

Does it … [more]

New Book deal for Author Sue Soltis!

Congratulations and hooray to Sue Soltis, whose picture book text, THE MOON MOVED IN, has sold to Melissa Manlove at Chronicle Books for Children and will be illustrated by Sonia Sánchez. I can’t wait to hold this beautiful story in my hands!

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P. O’Connell Pearson’s CONSPIRACY: NIXON, WATERGATE, AND DEMOCRACY’S DEFENDERS is now available!

Happiest of publications days to Patricia Pearson on the publication of her newest work of non-fiction for older readers, Conspiracy: Nixon, Watergate, and Democracy’s Defenders!

The story of President Richard Nixon and those who fought against him comes to life in this insightful and accessible book.

PRAISE FOR CONSPIRACY!

“What can American citizens do about a president who thinks he’s above the rule of law? A lot, actually, as Pearson shows in this skillful and meticulous telling of the Watergate drama.”—Steve Sheinkin, National Book Award finalist & Newbery Honor author of Bomb and Most Dangerous

“Pearson agilely walks the line between textbook history and popular true crime…” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Smooth, clear writing makes this an appealing and accessible read. A cautionary episode from a half-century ago that ends … [more]

Susan Opening to Queries & an Updated Wishlist

I’m happy to say that I’m opening to queries today! It’s been awhile since I’ve been open and I’m hungry for new things. What kind of new things, you ask? Please take a look at my updated wishlist, below:

Starting with the big picture: I represent work for children and teens only—picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult, along with some non-fiction for young readers. I don’t represent adult projects.

I believe books can change lives — inspire a passion for reading and story; unlock imagination and empathy; move readers to feel, think, wonder, examine, explore, to laugh really hard. Books invite joy. This belief underscores my work as an agent, and especially influences which books I offer rep on.

Books that tell the stories of people, places, and cultures that have been … [more]

THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES on the 2020 National Book Awards Fiction Longlist

We are over the moon for Upstart Crow client Deesha Philyaw, whose stunning debut short story collection, THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES, was longlisted for the 2020 National Book Awards for fiction. Congratulations to Deesha and to all of the amazing writers on this list!

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HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Ruth Spiro—BABY LOVES POLITICAL SCIENCE JUSTICE! is available now!

HOORAY and happiest of publications days to Ruth Spiro on the publication of her newest BABY LOVES book – the 16th! – POLI SCI: JUSTICE!

From the duo behind the wildly popular Baby Loves Science series comes a spinoff perfect for little citizens: Baby Loves Political Science!

Accurate enough for an expert, yet simple enough for baby, this brainy book explores our justice system. Uh-oh! Baby’s family has rules. If he breaks a rule, there might be consequences. Grown-ups have rules to follow too; these are called laws. This warm, inclusive primer demystifies the judiciary and emphasizes the importance of fairness in our society. Ruth Spiro’s toddler-friendly, scrupulously accurate text and Greg Paprocki’s bright, cheerful illustrations are sure to please and amaze the littlest activists among us.

To purchase copies of BABY LOVES JUSTICE!, please … [more]

Welcome Author and Illustrator Kirbi Fagan

Upstart Crow is excited to welcome new client  Kirbi Fagan.
Kirbi is a Metro Detroit-based author and illustrator recognized for her cover art in Adult, YA, and Middle Grade fiction as well as her numerous covers for comic books on projects such as Black Panther/Shuri and Firefly. Her debut as a picture book illustrator is slated for 2021 with SUMMER OF THE TREE ARMY: A Civilian Conservation Corps Story (Sleeping Bear Press). She is currently working on her own nonfiction picture book about wild alpha mares and a middle grade graphic novel memoir.

Her illustrations are known for their magical themes, nostalgic mood and feminine heroines. Kirbi was traditionally trained as an oil painter but now works in mixed media techniques including digital drawing tools. She received her bachelor’s degree in Illustration from Kendall

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Happy Publication Day, Double Edition: Deesha Philyaw and Adam Smyer

“Tender, fierce, proudly Black and beautiful, these stories will sneak inside you and take root.”

–Kirkus (starred review)

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church’s double standards and their own needs and passions.With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be, and as free as they deserve to be.

Buy your copy here!

 

 

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HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Daphne Kalmar & Ruth Spiro—STEALING MT RUSHMORE, and THREE new BABY LOVES books are available now!

Daphne Kalmar’s new middle grade novel, Stealing Mt Rushmore:

“Daphne Kalmar has created a wonderfully imperfect cast of characters and gathered them into a story that will break your heart. . . and heal it again. Stealing Mt. Rushmore has it all.” —Marion Dane Bauer, author of the Newbery Honor novel On My Honor

Daphne Kalmar brings to life the social and political upheaval of the 1970s, revealing the heart of a family on the verge of falling apart and the courage of a young girl who does all she can to bring them together.

It’s the summer of 1974. Nellie’s turned thirteen. Her best friend, Maya, has a crush on a boy. President Nixon might get impeached. And her mom’s run off. The money for their family road trip to see Mt. Rushmore is … [more]

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