S&S takes two more middle-grade books from Onyeka author Okogwu

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has acquired two new middle-grade books from Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun author Tọlá Okogwu.

M.d. Rachel Denwood  and senior commissioning editor Amina Youssef, in partnership with S&S US, acquired world rights in all languages from Claire Wilson at RCW. The first title in the new deal will publish in spring 2024 and will follow the third Onyeka series about a British-Nigerian girl whose Afro hair has psychokinetic powers.

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, published by S&S on 9th June, is the current Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month and a top 10 children’s fiction bestseller. The launch has been supported by a campaign including a billboard in Brixton and a major school events tour. It was recently announced that Netflix has partnered with Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon to produce the film adaptation.

Youssef said: “Tọlá Okogwu is the definition of a rising star in every sense of the word. From Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun being selected as Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month to the epic Netflix film news, S&S Children’s couldn’t be prouder to not only be Tọlá’s current publishing home but to have two more unique, empowering and necessary books publishing in the future crafted by such a talented author.”

Okogwu added: “I am beyond excited to write two more stories with the amazing team at S&S Children’s Books. The love, passion and support they have shown in launching Onyeka has been nothing short of phenomenal. This chapter of my publication journey has been incredible and I’ve been blown away by the way readers have embraced Onyeka. I hope they continue to grow with the series as it expands.”