What Can a Mess Make?

A mess can make a picnic, a masterpiece, and lots of fun in this charming book about two sisters who have a fun day of creativity together.

Finnegan Fox

My favorite picture book of the year! Finnegan Fox isn’t like his siblings, but that’s okay. Finnegan gains courage in his own time! The scent of raspberries draws him out on a grand adventure.

Anonymoose

Shy? Ana Moose likes to hide which isn’t easy for a moose! Is she going to be courageous, overcome her shyness, and make friends with Peter, a beaver building a fort — a great place to hide?

The Strangest Fish

There’s something very strange about the fish Daisy wins at the fair, but she is determined to take the best care of him. This is a tender story whose fantastical whimsy is reflected in the incredible illustrations. A perfect autumnal read!

Goth Moth (Band of Bugs)

Goth Moth leads a quiet life – just not in his own head. He wants to rock! When his favorite band comes to town, he gets the chance to be the rock star he was meant to be.

Attack of the Scones: Volume 6 (Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast)

Too many food puns? Never! Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast make me giggle. Combine a Star Wars pun and a UFD, Unidentified Flying Dessert, and what do you get? More giggles!

The Ghost Rules

Elwood McGee knows ghosts like coffee and can be nervous when spotted in the wild. He knows because he can see them, and there is one ghost he really wants to see one last time. A charming middle grade debut.

The Sherlock Society

Read the City Spies series? The first in a new series is an equally action-packed mystery. Four kids start a detective agency with a retired reporter grandfather. Cadillac convertible? Storage unit of cold cases? Buried treasure? Mobster Al Capone? Island in the Everglades? Crooked corporation? See how it turns out…

Godzilla: Monster Island Summer Camp

Zelda, an aspiring artist, finds herself stuck at sports camp for the summer and spends her days hiding away to draw. But it is in this hiding spot that she discovers a portal which leads to a weird and wacky world of creatures like bugs, monsters, and even Mini Godzilla! As she spends time in this strange dimension, she starts to suspect that her camp isn’t what it seems and she needs Kaiju help to save the day.

The Witching Wind

Two friends need help finding someone dear to each of them who is lost. When they find out about the Witching Wind, they’re sure it’s responsible. They set out on an impossible mission that’s only possible with friends. Natalie Lloyd’s latest novel is delightful and magical!

Scareground

Nancy is 12 and happy to explore the rooftops with her best friend, but she seeks more – especially once a creepy fairground appears in her London neighborhood. How is she connected to this dark and mysterious fair? Maybe she’ll finally learn about her birth parents, and the secret behind her birthmark? All of this and so much more awaits her!

P.S. Longer Letter Later

It is the 1997-1998 school year and best friends Elizabeth and Tara*Starr keep in touch via snail mail after Tara*Starr’s family moves across the country. This is an epistolary novel, which means it is told entirely in letters!

It Happened to Anna

This horror novel for young readers pulls no punches in its exploration of grief and isolation. Sadie is haunted by a ghost that won’t let her make friends— a ghost willing to kill to ensure she doesn’t. When she finally meets a girl immune to the ghost’s powers, it seems like her loneliness is over. But when Sadie’s new friend becomes more dangerous than her ghost, who can she actually trust?

The Maid and the Crocodile: A Novel in the World of Raybearer

Howl’s Moving Castle meets Beauty and the Beast? Ask, and you shall receive. Sade needs a job, preferably as a maid, but that changes when she accidentally binds herself to the Crocodile God: a beast who feasts on the flesh of pretty girls—or so the rumors say. Now, she must break his curse and appease her new employer with her curse-eating power, or else it’s kill or be killed. BEWARE THE CROCODILE GOD!

The Champions (The Cheerleaders)

A companion book to Thomas’ The Cheerleaders that entirely stands on its own. This thrilling murder-mystery revolving around a high school football team kept me guessing until the very satisfying end.

Jupiter Rising

Things aren’t going according to plan for Jack, on the track team, or at home with his sister’s adoption. As Jack runs toward his destiny on the field and at home, life is full of unexpected surprises in this companion novel to Orbiting Jupiter.

Prince of the Palisades

Prince of the Palisades is the latest from romcom superstar Julian Winters. When a teen prince is exiled to the USA after some bad press, he’s forced to play nice if he ever wants to fix his reputation and return home. However, a certain charming aspiring filmmaker might be distracting him from his goals. A sweet and swoony modern fairytale.

Immortal Dark

Twilight had it wrong. Vampires don’t sparkle. Kidan says they lure you with their dark gaze and plump lips until they can taste you. To her, they’re pure evil, and all evil must be purged. When a vampire takes her sister, Kidan vows to do anything to get her back, even if she must become the monster she hates. With enemies-to-lovers, secret societies, and African lore, Immortal Dark is a debut you won’t forget.

One True Loves

If you have been waiting years to find another book that makes you feel like Anna and the French Kiss, look no further. Lenore is a recent high school graduate about to embark on a Mediterranean cruise with her family for the summer. One True Loves makes references throughout to some classic YA romances and takes the reader on a journey across Greece and Italy.

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, Book 1)

The daughter of a powerful psychic, Blue Sargent is used to weird. But when she meets the eccentric yet charming Richard Gansey III and his friends, a group of teenage boys on a quest to find the tomb of a dead Welsh king, her life will change forever whether she likes it or not. I couldn’t put it down!!!

Me (Moth)

Following a tragic accident, Moth realizes that she is being led far away from the groundedness of home and family that she has always known. Along the way, a young boy Sani crosses her path and at once they realize that the things they’re both searching for perhaps aren’t so different. This beautiful, haunting YA novel-in-verse explores identity, first love, and mental health in surprising and profound ways.

Fever 1793

A yellow fever epidemic rages through the streets of Philadelphia. Mattie’s mother insists she flee the city with her grandfather, but soon they are abandoned on the side of a road. Mattie’s courage and perseverance see her through unexpected dilemmas in this vivid historical novel.

When I’m Feeling Angry: 15th Anniversary Edition (The Feelings Series)

The Feelings series by Trace Moroney is some of the best literature for kids that addresses social emotional learning. As a former teacher and a mom I love to use this series to help kiddos through big feelings. I’d recommend the entire collection, but in particular When I’m Feeling Angry does such a good job of explaining anger and how to deal with it constructively.

Sprout Book Club: September Selection

The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts

The September 2024 Sprout Book Club selection is The Verts by Ann Patchett and Robin Preiss Glasser. The Vert family is celebrating a special occasion, Ivan’s birthday! Estie wants her brother to have a great party with lots of guests from their building. The siblings come together to make the party just right in their own way.

Early praise for the book:

“An affirming read that values introverts and extroverts alike, uplifting each for their unique qualities.” –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: September Selection

The Sherlock Society

The September 2024 Spark Book Club pick is The Sherlock Society by James Ponti. Four kids and one grandfather tackle a decades-old mystery. When Alex and Zoe Sherlock decide to start a detective agency as their summer job, the fun soon turns dangerous. They use modern-day technology and old-school brains to solve a crime in this fun mystery.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“An environmental mystery featuring lots of clever detecting, a bit of danger, and real felonies to investigate.” – 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: September Selection

With Love, Echo Park

The September 2024 ParnassusNext selection is With Love, Echo Park by Laura Taylor Namey. 

Clary works in her family’s flower shop and plans to do everything she can to preserve the Cuban American business community in her neighborhood. The son of the neighboring bicycle shop owners is more interested in moving on when he graduates. A message from an unexpected visitor draws them closer, making them reevaluate their plans in this delightful romance.

Early praise for the novel:

“This earnest coming-of-age story is a tribute to family, culture, and resilience.” – 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.