| PICTURE BOOKS |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
Clever wordplay and stunning illustrations make this a fabulous alphabet book. |
| Recommended by Chelsea
The lyrical story told by a mother to her child at bedtime is just so sweet, and each page is full of beautiful detail. I really loved how the differences between the two dragons are celebrated, but their similarities are also highlighted. An enriching celebration of multicultural identity. |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
Philippa Pheasant gets a brilliant idea after seeing the school crossing guard in this sweet story about community and working together. |
| Recommended by Chelsea
Need a great read-aloud for the upcoming spooky season? Actually not scary at all, The Scariest Kitten in the World will elicit endless laughs as Kitten does their very best to terrify readers in very adorable, cute ways. |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
This is a book about a friendship between a scarecrow (named Hopefully) and a girl. It’s also about the power of stories. |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
A beautiful ode to the joy of books. |
| INDEPENDENT READERS |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
Franny doesn’t have a lot of hope for the future when her mom’s car accident derails their life. She questions whether her mom was sober and what will happen next. Franny blackmails a school bully into helping her take on her mom’s cleaning clients and tests out a first crush while keeping her afterschool life a secret. A heartwarming tale of family and second chances. |
| Recommended by Chelsea
Do you know how many cells are in the human body? Or that we are made of stardust? This incredible book explains with inclusive, accessible language just how normal being different is. I dare anyone to pick up this book and NOT learn something. |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
An assignment debating a middle school’s mascot brings new perspectives and some surprises to an 8th grade class in this novel in verse. |
| Recommended by Lily, age 8
This book is about a young barbarian named Barb, and the quest is very exciting! I love how nobody believes in the Ghost Blade, but Barb proves them wrong. This story reminds me of one of my favorite book series, Wings of Fire. This story was amazing. I would definitely recommend this book! |
| Recommended by Rae Ann
Norma and Belly are sure that if all of the fortune cookie fortunes say “Feed this cookie to a squirrel,” they’ll have lots of treats. So they sneak into the factory to put their plan into action. |
| YOUNG ADULT |
| Recommended by Ashby
Secret passages, 1920s dresses, diamonds, blackmail. Wealthy high schoolers – except one – go to a mansion for a graduation party. Kassidy and best friend Izzy are opposites: Izzy is poor and Kassidy is rich. When Kassidy’s boyfriend Blaine is found dead, the investigation reveals answers to secrets. What is Izzy referring to that is so horrible she brought a knife and went to Blaine’s room? |
| Recommended by Katie
A fantastically magical YA debut from Vanessa Montalban, A Tall Dark Trouble casts the perfect spell on readers. Set in present day Miami and 1980s Cuba, the de Armas women are haunted by a curse that ruins any chance at love. When the twins start having premonitions of a potential murderer targeting brujas, they are forced to reckon with their magic to save their family. An absolutely thrilling debut! |
| CLASSICS & BACKLIST |
| Recommended by Tara
This book made me fall in love with angsty curly-haired boys with iPods. It is serving mid 2000’s realness and is a must-read for fans of young adult romance. |
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By Gary R. Gray, Jr., Oge Mora (Illustrator)
The September 2023 Sprout Book Club selection is I’m From by Gary R. Gray, Jr. and Oge Mora. This book is an ode to the small things in life that make up our day. From family breakfast, to a ride on the school bus, and bedtime stories at night, this book celebrates a boy’s daily routine and the people he loves.
Early praise for the book:
“The reiterative phrase ‘I come from…’ frames the reflections of a Black child narrator discussing their identity in this tenderly observed picture book. Layered collage spreads by Caldecott Honoree Mora pulse with vibrant color and movement. Poet Gray, making a picture book debut, models the process of, and the power in, learning that ‘I come from/ somewhere.'” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book. Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. |
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By Rebecca Stead, Wendy Mass
The September 2023 Spark Book Club selection is The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass. It is the story of a boy, a cat, and a ghostly librarian. When a boy finds a Little Free Library that appeared overnight, he is drawn into a mystery that involves his future, and that of his entire town.
Early Sparks for the novel:
“A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart.” – Kirkus
Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers. Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months. |
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By Jen Ferguson
The September 2023 ParnassusNext selection is Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson. A weekend shift at Pink Mountain Pizza takes an unexpected turn for three teens when they try to stop the sale of the pizza place while dealing with the past and the present.
Early praise for the novel:
“Set in Alberta, this introspective, character-driven story examines heavy topics, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, depression, and anti-Blackness, with sensitivity and compassion.” – Kirkus, starred review
ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months. |
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