Ursula Upside Down

Ursula lives in a wonderful world with sun rays on the bottom and the river above her, until a fellow fish asks her why she’s upside down. Is she upside down, or is she the one who is right side up? Readers will delight in getting oriented to Ursula’s world and swimming alongside her in the beautiful illustrations.

Finding Things

This is a delightful picture book that explores connections, the luck of perfect timing, and nature.

The Suitcase

A little boy loves staying with his grandparents but gets a little bored, so he starts exploring. He discovers a suitcase in the attic filled with memorabilia and pictures. Who are these people? It was a mystery that was solved by careful observation.

If You Spot a Shell

I adored If You Find a Leaf last fall, and now Sicuro is back with her beautiful collages for summer. This delightfully perfect read encourages creativity and keen observation of the world around us. If a beach trip is in your future, be sure to grab this before you go!

The Curious Why

When I was little, I remember hating the gloomy feeling of boredom that would sometimes overcome me. The Curious Why cures that grey feeling by bringing the potential for magic in everyday situations and reminds me there is always more to learn!

Summer Is Here

Summer is Here brings the summers of my childhood back and makes me look forward to this summer with my extended family. A sweet book with beautiful illustrations.

The New Girl: A Graphic Novel

When Lia and her family move from Romania to Canada, she leaves behind everything she’s ever known. Middle school is a particularly bad time for that to happen. Especially when you don’t speak the language. Especially when you just got your first period. Can Lia find friends to help her make it through?

Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon: The Graphic Novel

Amber Brown is back for a new generation of readers in this graphic novel edition! This would be a great fit for fans of The Babysitter’s Club graphic novels.

Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables Book #1)

I loved this book. The story is nice. The pictures are really cool. Auggie has a fun job.

Not If You Break Up with Me First

Eve and Andrew have always been best friends. Suddenly, everyone at school has decided they’re dating. Can they break up without hurting the other’s feelings? Do they even want to break up? This book is full of heart and laughs and all kinds of middle school antics that will keep you hooked.

The Brightwood Code

Edda is back from the front lines of WWI where she served as a Hello Girl, a telephone operator connecting coded messages. She attempts a return to civilian life, but trauma from her past crashes into her carefully constructed new life.

Twelfth Knight

Not since the 2006 comedy film She’s the Man has there been such an iconic retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Alexene Farole Follmuth (who is known for writing best selling fantasy novels under the pen name Olivie Blake) incorporates online gaming, football, and secret identities into this coming-of-age rom-com.

The Deep Dark: A Graphic Novel

Magdalena Herrera is a loner with adult responsibilities and a bloody secret. That is until Nessa, Mag’s childhood friend, returns to their small desert town and refuses to stay at arm’s length. This comic is a moody, beautiful fable about the risks we take when sharing our full selves.

Hummingbird

An endearing story about a girl named Olive who has brittle bone disease and the most infectiously positive outlook on life. Perfect for fans of Wonder.

Crier’s War

Slow burn sapphic yearning between two girls on opposite sides of the looming war? Sounds like perfection to me.

The Iliad

These two beautiful graphic editions made a wonderful graduation gift for my 8th grade grandson. Take a look!

The Odyssey

These two beautiful graphic editions made a wonderful graduation gift for my 8th grade grandson. Take a look!

Sprout Book Club: June Selection

The Girl and the Mermaid

The June 2024 Sprout Book Club selection is The Girl and the Mermaid by Hollie Hughes and Sarah Massini. Alina lives in a lighthouse by the sea with her grandmother where her grandmother weaves tales of mermaids each night. As grandmother’s stories begin to fade, a mermaid appears nearby inviting the girl to swim below where the stories live.

Early praise for the book:

“A poignant testament to the power of story.” – Kirkus

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. 

Spark Book Club: June Selection

The Cookie Crumbles

The June 2024 Spark Book Club pick is The Cookie Crumbles by Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow. Laila and Lucy are best friends. The summer before eighth grade, Laila is invited to participate in the Golden Cookie Competition while Lucy documents it for a journalism project. But when a celebrity judge collapses after sampling Laila’s showstopper, she’s at the top of the suspect list in this fun mystery.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A light-hearted read that effectively combines reality television drama with a page-turning mystery.” – 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.

ParnassusNext: June Selection

Lady of Steel and Straw

The June 2024 ParnassusNext selection is Lady of Steel and Straw by Erica Ivy Rodgers. Lady Charlotte Sand was born to calm the restless dead, never to be a partner of a Guardian. But after her brother is killed, the family Guardian wakes from his scarecrow form for Charlotte alone. They set out for the capital city to save the hearts of other Guardians. Captain Luc de Montaigne is her enemy, but his soul reaches for Charlotte’s and grants her leniency instead of retribution. This high fantasy adventure slow-burn romance is full of high stakes adventure and clever characters.

Early praise for the novel:

“A duology opener featuring a cleverly built world populated by appealing characters.” – Kirkus

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.