I’m happy to share that Annie Cardi, author of the powerfully moving novel Red, will have another equally urgent and powerful novel coming out in 2026: Winter White!

Ardyce Alspach at Union Square Kids has acquired Annie Cardi’s (Red) next retelling, Winter White. This YA adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, centered around domestic abuse and the opioid epidemic, follows a teen girl living in rural Maine with her domineering father. When a boy from her past reappears, she finds solace in his kindness and strength in his help as she uncovers the mystery of her identity. Publication is slated for early 2026; Laura Crockett at Triada US Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.

After Red‘s publication, Annie’s publisher expressed interest in seeing more classic retellings, and Annie was happy to oblige. We created a massive list of ideas, with summaries and pitches and (in some cases) whole outlines for different classic narratives paired with modern issues and topics that teens face daily. The publisher narrowed it down, and then Annie followed her gut from those options and wrote a proposal for the project that most interested her and she felt most passionate about.

I’m so glad Ardyce and Union Square agreed! Winter White is going to be a balm for teens within and adjacent to similar circumstances. Edits are currently underway, and I’ve already been moved to tears. This is gonna be a great book, friends––keep your eyes peeled!