Diverse Books and Kokila Will Publish Middle Grade Novel
The upcoming collection, Watermelon Seeds, features stories by a group of Palestinian authors.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Books
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We Need Diverse Books and Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, will publish the middle grade novel-in-stories Watermelon Seeds on May 18, 2027. The project centers on a girl searching for a new home for a canceled Palestinian Heritage Festival.
Why it matters
The collaboration brings together a diverse slate of voices to share narratives that highlight Palestinian heritage through the lens of a middle grade literary project.
The upcoming volume features contributions from eight Palestinian authors, including Omar Abed, Susan Muaddi Darraj, and Haneen Oriqat, who also serves as the book's editor.
The players
We Need Diverse Books
This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people.
Kokila
Kokila is an imprint of Penguin Young Readers that focuses on publishing books for children and young adults.
Haneen Oriqat
Haneen Oriqat is an author and the editor who led the compilation of the stories featured in this collection.
Zareen Jaffery
Zareen Jaffery is a publisher who acquired the world rights for the upcoming book project.
Joanna Volpe
Joanna Volpe is a literary agent at New Leaf Literary & Media who represented the interests of We Need Diverse Books.
The details
The book represents a partnership between We Need Diverse Books and Kokila, with world rights acquired by Zareen Jaffery. Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary & Media facilitated the agreement on behalf of We Need Diverse Books.
Timeline
May 18, 2027 is the scheduled publication date for the book.
Industry Dynamics
The project follows a pattern set by industry trends favoring collaborative anthologies to highlight diverse cultural narratives. This strategy positions the imprint to capture growing reader demand for authentic, multi-voiced representation in middle grade fiction.
Readers can anticipate the title becoming available through standard retail channels and library systems beginning in May 2027. The anthology format offers a entry point for young readers to experience a variety of authors within a single volume.
The takeaway
Collaborative anthologies allow publishers to showcase a broader range of cultural perspectives within a single title. Readers interested in diverse literature can track this release to explore new narrative voices in the middle grade genre.
Further reading
Discover more about current literary trends in the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PublishersWeekly.
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