Home Pages: Great New Reads for the Young and Young at Heart

Goodnight, Veggies

Veggies and sleep are two things that pretty much all of us could use more of in our lives. This is a classic sleep story (think Llama Llama or Goodnight Moon) that takes place in a rooftop community garden. With fun plays on words, captivating illustrations, and a charming earthworm guide (wearing a hat and shoe, Richard Scarry style), this book easily earns its spot in the bedtime reading rotation!

Summer Song

Summer Song joins In the Middle of Fall, Winter Is Here, and When Spring Comes to complete the seasonal series. This lovely story is full of the joy of summer sounds and sights.

The Moon Keeper

This enchanting story is about a bear named Emile who is chosen by the night creatures to be the new Moon Keeper. His job is to make sure the moon is able to shine its light. However, Emile starts noticing that the moon seems to be shrinking. He is quite concerned, until he meets a bird who tells him, “Things come and go — you’ll see.” This is a comforting story for anyone who is worried.

Love, Sophia on the Moon

First we see Sophia sitting in time out and her mom cleaning up a broken vase. Next we read a letter Sophia has written explaining that she is running away to the moon. The rest of the book is a series of letters between the two, and ends with a note from mom saying, “Even when you’re mad, I love you to the moon. And all the way back.” The letters back and forth are clever enough to make this fun for the adult reading it aloud.

Nat Enough

Nat is dealing with typical middle school problems of losing a best friend and finding your place. The intro of each chapter featuring Nat’s dog and cat makes a charming side story. Scrivan’s comic style showcases a fun story and Nat Enough shows readers how to “be more of who you are.”

Blue Skies

Everyone in town is excited about the Merci train full of gifts rolling through from France as a thank you for America’s help in WWII. Glory Bea is expecting a special gift to arrive on the train: her father. No one can stop her from believing in this miracle, not her mom’s new boyfriend or the grownups who thwart her railroad scouting mission.

City Spies

Sara is a computer hacker. When she gets caught, she is tapped by a secret MI5 agency to be a real live spy. This new series is a must read for fans of adventure stories that make you laugh.

Bloom (The Overthrow #1)

When strange plants pop up on an island in Canada, everyone isn’t too worried — that is, until the plants start to release toxic pollen. Three kids, all from different paths in life, seem immune to the plants. If horror is your thing, don’t miss this page-turner. The ending promises that the next book will be just as thrilling.

Wayside School Beneath the Cloud of Doom

It’s weird and completely obnoxious, but in a good way. There are things in this book that couldn’t possibly be true, but wait — could they?? You will especially want to read about spaghetti and “feetballs”!

The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents

The Next President is a unique survey of presidential history. It poses the question, “Who could be a future president?” This book will appeal to readers who love facts and a fun story.

You Call This Democracy?: How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People

This book is a perfect reminder that our system is, if not broken, perhaps a bit bent out of shape. Why does the person who got the most votes not win the election? Why is your district shaped like an ink blot test? Why are more than 4 million of our friends and neighbors permanently barred from participating in the democratic process? This book explains all that and more, with plenty of helpful infographics!

Dragon Hoops

The history of basketball and the story of one high school’s pursuit of a championship, this new YA graphic memoir is for sports fans and any YA reader.

Tigers, Not Daughters

I was instantly drawn into this story of sisterhood and survival. When the eldest sister mysteriously falls to her death, the already fraught lives of the Torres girls become that much harder. Marby’s strong command of varying narrative perspectives throughout the novel and the slightest hint of magic left me breathless as I raced to find out the sisters’ fates. This is one not to miss.

Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1)

This book is for you if you enjoy any of the following: historical fiction, Edwardian London, fighting demons and fantastic heroines. Clare doesn’t disappoint in her latest installment of the Shadowhunter world.

Most Likely

Ava, CJ, Jordan and Martha have been best friends since kindergarten. Now, they are navigating the joys and challenges of life together as high school seniors. We know one thing from the beginning: One of these girls is destined to be the President of the United States one day. The mystery, of course, is who? Readers will be drawn to this supportive group of friends, much like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series (except with no traveling or pants).

ParnassusNext — Our April Selection

They Went Left

The April ParnassusNext selection is They Went Left by award-winning YA author Monica Hesse. Zofia promised her younger brother, Abek that they would be together again after World War II. After her release from Gross-Rosen concentration camp, her search for her brother turns into a strange and harrowing journey.

Here is some early buzz for the novel:

“Well-researched historical fiction.” —Kirkus

“An oft-told story from a new angle.” —Publishers Weekly

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our planned author event with Monica Hesse, but look for an interview with her soon, right here on Musing!

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.