Emilia Rhodes

I acquire young adult and middle grade, ranging from voice-driven to commercial fiction.

I am looking for diverse books, particularly #ownvoices, in both YA and MG in every genre.

In YA, I’m particularly looking for contemporary realistic fiction. Ranging from heartbreaking to feel-good, I’m drawn to layered stories, authentic emotion, and a great voice. I’m always open to other worlds, although the more grounded the better (high fantasy is not my area of expertise). I like weird and surprising stories. I love narratives with a unique structural component, like I’ll Give You the Sun or 99 Days. Some favorite YA includes Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl, Stephen Chbosky’s Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Becky Albertalli’s Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

In MG, at the top of my wishlist is a classic animal story, like Because of Winn Dixie or Pax. In general, I’m looking for contemporary realistic fiction and magical realism–the more emotional the better. I’d love to acquire more MG that addresses heavier issues that we don’t often see depicted for younger readers.  In fantasy, I like dark and twisted stories like Coraline. Some favorite MG includes E.L. Konisburg’s The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Cece Bell’s El Deafo, and of course, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter.